Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-29
BACK FROM A FOREIGN TRIP
Congressman Mercer Compares Conditions
Here with Those in Europe,
BALANCE IN FAVOR OF THE UNITED STATES
From Now Until Election MIR. Mer-
GERS Time Is to Be Devoted to
Work for the Republican
Party in the state.

After a soiourn of several months spent
in Europe Congressman and Mrs. Mercer
have returned to Omaha. They arrived from
New York yesterday, and upon reaching
the city proceeded Immediately to their
home.
while in Europe I visited London, Paris,
Berlin, Athens and many of the other large
Cities" said Congressman Mercer. II also
made tours into the country from several
points and devoted much of my time to
studying the conditions of the people. Both
Mrs. Mercer and myself had delightful
trip, and everywhere we went we found the
right hand of fellowship extended, not only
to us, but to all other Americans.
''All through Europe the people are won
dering at the season Of prosperity that is
being experienced in the United States, and
all people who have given the matter at
tention attribute it to the republican policy
! and business ability of President Mckinley.
who has restored confidence in every
American industry.
"Times are comparatively good in most
of tho cities and countries of Europe, but
nothing as compared to the United States.
Our goods are rapidly finding a market in
cities and smaller towns, and in many in
stances are crowding out those manufactured
there. Not that they are cheaper, but they
are regarded better, the workmanship being
superior in many instances.
Labor in Europe.
| Regarding the laboring classes in Europe
| I desire to speak. They are probably as
| honest and industrious as our people, but
| they are much poorer. Their wages are
| lower and many of them are unable to find
steady employment. There the majority of
them live in tenement houses of a few rooms,
| which as a rule are scantily furnished. This
| furniture is of the cheapest kind, as is the
food. The children and the women are poorly
clothed and it is seldom that you find a work.
| ingman who owns a horse and buggy or a
piano. 1t is nothing like it is here where
you will find thousands of laboring men in
every city who not only own their own
homes but enjoy the luxury of good clothes,
furnished houses, planos horses, carriages
and bicycles.
when I reached New York found every
man busy and business moving along at a
rate never before witnessed even in this
country. l saw evidences Of prosperity on
every hand, not only with the rich, but
| with the poor. In the outskirts Of the
city I saw thousands of cottages being
erected which l was assured belonged to
laboring men who had boarded their saw
! ings, and now that they are assured of the
continuance of prosperity so long as the
republicans are in power, are putting their
money into homes instead Of stockings and
burying it in cellars for safe-keeping.
The Theme Is Good Times.
"This condition of prosperity prevails not
only in New York, but all over the country,
and on the trains and at the hotels the
great theme of conversation is the good
times and the prices that are being OBJ
tained by the farmers for their produce.
"In all eastern states indications point
| to republican victories this fall and great
landslide to the republican party at the
presidential election next year. People are
pleased with republican rule and the new
industries springng up by the score tell the
| tale.
| Il am glad to hear that conditions are SO
| bright here in Nebraska, and right now
| want to say that I shall do all that can
to aid the republican party from now until
the polls close on election day. l believe
that the republicans will carry the state this
fall by a good sized majority, and will carry
many of the counties that have heretofore
been given over to the populists.
Sunday l intend to speak at repub.
lican mass meeting at Millard. and there
shall give the people an idea of conditions
here, as compared with those in Europe. II
the republican committee wants my services
l will speak every evening from now unit
election and will point out the evidences o.
prosperity that are apparent under repub