Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-28
BRYAN |NNMEBBAsA
Presidential Aspirant's Personality
May Garry the State.
CHANCES GREATLY IN bis FAVOR
Two u. S. Senators to Be Elected
by Next. Legislature.
CAMPAIGN HAS BEG UN
CAMPAIGN HAS BEG UN


OMAHA, Neb., May "a. 1900.
Everything is at stake in Nebraska this
year politically which could possibly be
crowded into one campaign. The legisla-
ture which will be elected next November
will even choose two United States sena-
tors. Living in the state from which will
come the democratic nominee for Presi-
dent the people of Nebraska naturally feel
that they occupy very prominent place in
national affairs, and this feeling will go a
long way toward carrying the state for
Mr.. Bryan. The republicans claim that
Nebraska is doubtful as to the results of
the ballot on the national ticket. They
base this upon the slump in the fusion
vote which Was apparent in 1888 and 1873.
In 1896 Mr.. Bryan paid no attention to the
politics of Nebraska. and carried the state
by 1900 majority. In 1S!,S and 1899 he de-
voted his earnest attention to the local sit
uation. and notwithstanding his utmost eff
forts the democratic vote was very little
larger than in 1876.
From the republican point of view the
promises made by Mr.. Bryan in 1896 have
rot been fulfilled. He said then that il
Mckinley was elected President hard times
would follow, and Nebraska has never
been more prosperous than it is today.
They point to the detection of the. labor
vote In South Omaha sign of the times
where the socialist labortes cast enough
ballots, thus detracting from the demo-
cratic vote. to elect a republican mayor for
the first time in many years.
What the Democrats Claim.
The democrats on the other hand claim
that these things are trivial. and that Mr..
Bryan is stronger in Nebraska today than
ever before. They say he has grown more
conservative, become better politician,
hot no hav conf
dence in his honesty. ability and his loyalty
to Nebraska 1t can be said, however,
without bias, that few Of the leading demo-
Gratis, even those who are most earnest IN
their support of Mr.. Bryan. really believe
he stands very much chance of being elect
ed President of the United States. This, OF
course. they do not say for publication, put
by inference they demonstrate their lack OF
faith in the success of the democratic party
nationally.
1t is stated by Mr.. Bryans friends. those
with whom he associates day by day In po-
liticaI conference, that in 1896 their leader
had little real belief in the probability of
his election. AS they express 1t now, he has
more hopes than he had in 1896, and 1t
can be gathered from what is said in this
direction that even Mr.. Bryan lacks perfect
confidence in his ability to carry the election
in 1900 Naturally he would not admit this.
even to his most intimate political asSo-
GATES: but Mr.. Bryan is a ready talker.
and engages freely in conversation with
those who make the pilgrimage to Lincoln.
and the impression has gone forth among
those who know him best that he is only COM
paratively hopeful, and not absolutely sure.
1t is well understood that the railroads are
opposed to Mr.. Bryan, but they are reported
to have said that the present state admin
istration which is populist. is as cheap and
satisfactory to railroad interests as any
which have preceded 1t.
Views of DIR. p. l.. Hall.
In speaking of Mr.. Bryan's relations to
the people of Nebraska, DIR. p L. Hall. the
chairman of the state democratic commit
tee. said today:
You can depend upon w. J. Bryan car
rying this state. 1t is not so much Mr.
Bryan's platform, but the man himself
whom the people will be voting for. They
indorse his position on the money question
as strongly as ever. Perhaps the free
coinage of silver is not so acute issue
as 1t was in 1896. but the republicans made
a new issue when they passed the gold
standard law last March. They do not be-
lieve it is right for the government to dele
gate a cl6e corporation as the custodian
of the peoples money and make 1t a profit
able business for the few engaged therein.
THE people of Nebraska are opposed to
annexation. The officers Of the Nebraska
regiment are perhaps in favor of the posi-
ton taken by the republicans, but the
private soldiers as a rule the friends of
Mr.. Bryan in his protest against imperial
ism and the annexation of the Philippines.
Nebraska Is prosperous; never more 50; but
this prosperity is not losing Mr.. Bryan any
votes i have made the most careful in
quiries throughout the state, and find this
to be true. 1t Is not necessary for the
democrats to make calamity campaign,
for there are other issues which appeal just
as strongly to the voters. We will have
fusion all along the line in this state, for
there is no inclination on the part of any
of the democrats, populists or silver repub-
licans to break away from the other sym
pathetic political organizations"
The republicans admit that Mr.. Bryan
will very probably carry this state, for two
reasons. the principal one being in the pres
idential candidate and the other an incli-
nation among the farmers to condemn the
gold law passed by republican Congress
and a general, though not an extremely ac-
tive, opposition to an expansion policy.
The republicans have concentrated their at
tention upon the fight for the legislature,
and from an impartial point of view the
outcome at this time appears very doubt
ful. with slight percentage in favor of
the republicans.
There are two great issues in the legisla-
tive conflict: One Is the senatorial fight and
in it's congressional, judicial and legisla-
tive districts.
Outside Influence Expected.
1t has been stated in Washington that
the national republican committee had such
be given the Representatives Of that party
in the state. The Nebraska republicans
had not yet heard from this proposed re-
enforcement, though they express great
pleasure at its possibility and confidence in
Its effectiveness. The railroads of Nebras-
ka WELD considerable influence in political
affairs. Nationally. the railroads are re-
publican. locally they are for the candi-
date who is their best friend, regardless Of
his political aff1lia ton. There are three rail-
road influences, the Burlington, Elkhorn
and Union Pacific systems. Since the re-
organization, the Union Pacific has not fig
ured largely In politics. but the Elkhorn
system Is regarded acting for the Union
Pacific as well as for itself. Open support
By the railroads does not entirely rebound
to the advantage of candidate. and the
railroads must work quietly to be effective.
Senatorial Field Open.
The senatorial field is apparently open as
yet to any one who can get himself "men-
toned Senator Thurston has announced
that he will retire from political life at the
expiration of his term next year. He has
made this announcement repeatedly, and
in all apparent sincerity; but it is not ac-
cepted without reservation by many lead
ing republicans. who seem to think that If
the senatorship was again offered Mr..
Thurston he would not hesitate long in &C
cepting 1t. William V. Allen was appoint
n.}