Omaha daily bee., 1900-02-09
GOSSIP OF CITY CAMPAIGN
Colonel Mois, Donation Letter Widening the
Breach in Dtmocracy's Ranks.
10 HOWELL PLAYS A HCKsoNIAN BUFF
BnIks County Democracy's Outrun-
ncrS by Declaring Against Use
of Ills Name as Candidate
for Mayor.

Inc JULIUS VI lltuNly IlNdlIs 10 HoL
appear to be wide enough to completely
compass the raging controversy that stirs
The democracy. The publication of the
letter whereby Walter Noise held up some
tN euty-three democrats for funds aggre-
eating $3.50 to be presented to Editor Dom
Paul Metcalfe has stirred up the ire of the
latter 10 the fighting pitch against the
Jacksonians. Diligent inquiry is in progress
to ascertain which one OF the twenty-three
contributors has given up the secret OF
Metcalfe's quiet donation party. Mr.. Met
calfe being, as was intimated in the re-
markable literary effusion of Colonel Noise,
"a man of modest inclination was natu-
rally in hearty sympathy with the desire of
Colonel Noise TO make the presentation "a
quiet affair." and reeents the publicity given
the episode so energetically that. being
unable to charge 1t up against any indi-
vidual admirer, has laid it at the door OF
the whole Jacksonian club, when in fact
seme OF the leading members of that organi-
cation are as much worried over the matter
as is Metcalfe himself.
The railroads and local franchised cor
porations are going to have a hand in the
democratic city convention before we get
through. Just put that down" said a demo-
= StSNtluds usually On the lueluG Win
the corporations. They are going to see
to it il possible that the democrats put up
a man for mayor who is in touch with them
and upon whom they can rely. That is
why they don't want Burkiey. They say he
changes his mind too often or is not on hand
when they want him most. They may not
be mixing much in the primaries. but just
watch them capture the delegations after
they are elected and swing them in for their
own man. Most Of us supposed these cor
porations were going to force Howell on US
again, but now it looks as if the deal were
for Governor Boyd or Captain Rustin. Who
ever their man is the stuff will be on tap
to persuade the delegates who happen to be
elected to fall in line. That's a quiet tip
for the uninitiated."
There is to be a contest on the Sixth
ward delegation in the populist county con-
vention. 1t will be between the Ruther-
ford delegation and what is known as the
Dawes Wilson Deaf and Dumb institute ad-
ministration delegation. E. f. Rutherford,
who led tho contest for the delegation
which bears his name, is a candidate for the
nomination for councilman. 1t won out by
a score of about 80 to 16. but the judges
permitted to vote a number of populists who
were registered as independent" The ad-
ministration delegation claims to have can
vassed the members of delegations from the
other wards, and claims that a majority
of them are in favor of rejecting the Ruth
ertord delegation on account o: acceptance
Of independent votes at the primaries. The
Rutherford men contend that when a man
was registered independent he had at
least a part of the name of the peoples
independent party opposite his name, which
ha did mot boya Wheo ba T. reuictarad
as a p%opulist.
Owing to the darkling hints of the County
Democracy leaders that the Jacksonians
were keeping a mayoralty candidate under
cover, to be sprung after the primaries. Ed
Howell has again burst into print with a
declaration that he believes ii to be to the
best interests of the democratic party and
the fusion forces of Omaha that his name
shall not be used in connection with the
nomination and that he will not allow it to
be so used as that of a candidate for mayor.
This is tough on an afternoon journalistic
political seer who could see Mr.. Howell
forging rapidly to the front in the race. But
Howell never was known to refuse anything
that was within his reach.
The social democracy has decided to stick
~ us OIlelldl lHltIllCn Oh putting no CITY
ticket in the field and its memebers will
be at liberty to select such candidates as
best suit them, having in view the question
of municipal ownership.
OMAHA, Feb. TO the Editor Of The
Bee: 1t is apparent from the size and char
acter of the attendance at the republican
ward meetings that the voters are deeply
interested in the coming city election.
While the principal interest centers in the
nayoralty contest the taXpayer has a keen
interest in the selection OF candidates for
the city council. The councilmen elected
for the coming three years, in addition TO
the important duties necessarily devolving
upon them. will control the expenditure of
the 5000, 600 for the purchase of the water
works plant.
Men who are above suspicion, men of hon
esty and popularity must be selected for
these positions, Chronic ofice-seekers and
office-holders cannot be elected. 1t matters
not how good a man may be placed at the
head Ct the ticket, the republican party can
not hope to win If certain of the self-con-
stituted candidates for the council from the
different wards are given places on the
ticket.
But good men are liable to be crowded
cut under the rule adopted by the repub-
lican city central committee. If | under
stand the import Of the rule it is this: Can
didates for council may place their names
upon the primary tickets in their respective
wards, and the candidate receiving the
highest number of votes will receive the
support OF the delegation in the convention.
What a bid for the wirepuller and booller.
Can self-respecting businc=- men be ex-
pected TO enter INTO such a contest? Would
1t not be better 10 select delegations OF
representative business men and leave it 10
their judgment to select our candidates In
TIE convention? 1t will not do for repub-
Leans to rely on the numerical strength
OF the party Tor success. and We m1st not
underestimate the political sagacity u the
opposition in its selection of candidates.
If tho delegation from any ward in the
city comes to he convention with an un-
worthy candidate for the city council or any
other office. It is the imperative duty of
the convention to turn him down, If the re-
publican party, in convention assembled.
does not, the business ncn and the tax
payer will DO so on election day.
a VOTER.
The frost that enyeloped the democratic
primaries may be accepted as om!nous Of a
more frigid experience that is awaiting the
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