Omaha daily bee., 1900-01-23
HOT FIGHT FOR CLERESHlP
Scramble Of Herdman and Bdmistep for
Csmpbsll's Place Wsxss Warm.
EACH is TRYING TO GUIDO THE OTHER
Democratic Endorsement of the
Douglas County Man Neat hit of
Political scheming-Odorous
Records of 10th.


LINCOLN. Jan 22.-Cspecial)- fight
between Herdman and Edm!sten for the
supreme court clerkship is growing more
bitter every day and each is determined
that II he cannot get the appointment for
himself he will prevent his opponent from
getting it. The latter realizes that the
appointment Of Allen as United states SEN
ator has lessened somewhat his chances
OF success but he believes that on ac-
count OF the unsavory reputation OF the
democratic candidate he will still be the
favorite when the end Of the race is reached.
However, so far as past records are con-
cerned, neither candidate seems to have
the better OF It, The Herdmanites point
with satisfaction to the record OF Edmisten
In the infamous recount fraud and the
lattcr's friends retaliate with a reiteraticn
OF the stories concerning Herdman's con-
necton with the legislative holdup gang
in 1897 and 1899 So bitter has the contest
become that it is doubtful II the ropocratir
judges will assume tho responsibility Of
choosing between them
1t has LEAKED out that the endorsement
OF Herdman by the democratic state cen
trail committee was simply tie result of
little good political scheming 1t appears
that the committee was made to believe
that the populsts had endorsed Edmisten
and that for self-protection 1t was neces-
sary for the democrats to take some sim
liar action.
Delegations Worry the. Judges.
Several delegations of politicians inter-
ested in the outcome OF the fight arrived
tonight and waited upon the two popocratic
judges in the interests of their candidates.
The candidates now in the field are: Edmis-
ten, Lee Herdman, w. S. Shoemaker, Ben
p. Hayden OF Omaha. ]. H. Edmisten and
Fred l. Shepherd OF this city, the latter two
being populsts and the others democrats.
Tonight delegations headed by Jim Dahl
man of Omaha and Judge Edgar Howard ot
Papilion were closeted several hours with
Judge Sullivan, while the populists con-
fined their attentions to Judge Holcomb. AS
the situation now stands there Is little prob
ability OF the contending factions being
brought together to agree on one man. Hol-
comb appears to be afraid to turn Edmisten
down and Judge Sullivan refuses to listen
to appeals in behalf OF any populst
MANY of US were opposed tc endorsing
any particular man." said member of that
committee who was in the city today, but
they told us that IL we wanted to the
appointment fall to a democrat we would
have to agree unanimously one man. The
FIRST vote taken showed difference OF
opinion regarding the several democratic
candidates and then an appeal was made
in behalf of Herdman. This just be-
fore the committee adjourned and the whole
thing was rushed through before many of
us knew what was being done. The first
vote gave Herdman a majority, but not all
of the votes On the strength of their as
bn
other man than Herdman were forced into
line and the unanimous vote of the COM
mttee was then cast for the Omaha can
ddate"
Allen Wants List.
Senator Allen has written to Secretary
OF State Porter for complete list of all
democratic and populist members Of the
legislature and the two state central com
mittees. Just what his motive is in ask
ing for these names is not known, but 1t is
supposed that he intends to begin mmed
ately his campaign for the senatorial cleo
tion in 1901. Senator Allen concluded his
communication to the secretary OF state
with the assertion that Il am doing all
that / can TO cause the republicans as much
trouble as possible
There will be a meeting OF the middle Of
the-road populists OF Kearney county al
county branch OF the national reform party
similar meeting for Franklin county
middle Of the readers will be held in Bloom
inpton on Friday. other meetings for thu
same purpose are announced for variou:
counties on later dates. 1t is the intention
OF the organizers OF the movement to have
at least one or two meetings every weel
and in that way create as much interes
as possible
Tho national reform party has but one
plank in it's platform and it declares fol
direct legislation under the system known
as tho initiative and referendum. II ap
peals to the dissatisfied elements in th
popuist and democratic parties and prom
isea better government, from municipa
councils to the national congress. 1t l
urged that, under the initiative, the peopl
car compel the submission to themselve
of any desired law, when, If 1t receives
majority of the votes cast, II is thereby en-
acted Under the referendum the peopl
could compel the submission TO themselve
OF any law which has been adopted by an
legislative body, when II such law fails I
receive a majority of the votes cast,
will be thereby rejected from the statut
books.
At state conference OF those intereste
IN the movement at Hastings Dccembe
2s. 1899, Asa Taylor OF Omaha was electe
state organizer A national committee wa
formed in Cincinnati in March OF last year
consisting of r. S. Thompson, Springfield
o., chairman; ]. NJ. Dunlap, Baltimore
Md. vico president; A. c. Eichelburge!
Franklin, Ind secretary; and Thomas Ev
ans, New York; Jay G. Wait, sturgis; sher
idan Webster, Missouri; r. A. Naille, Penn
sylvania; Asa Taylor. Nebraska; w
Seeleye Ohio
smyth Goes to 81. Louis.
Attorney General Smyth left tonight 70
81. Louis TO argue before the United state
circuit court of appeals the Of tn
State OF Nebraska against j. W. McDonal
r RIN NYT