The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-04
A Row in the Fusion Camp In Nebras-

ka.
A correspondent Of the Washington,
ID. o Star. writing from Lincoln,
Nebraska. under date Of December 30,
says;
The prospect for great Political
row in the fusion camps is imminent,
and if there is anything in the signs
Of the times fusion is thing Of the
past in Nebraska and W. J. Bryan is to
be forced into the national campaign
without the aid Of the Democrats OF
Nebraska. This extraordinary sltua'
tion has developed ont Of the late sem
atorial contest, in which Bryan sacri'
feed his friend and benefactor, Gilbert
Hitchcock, editor of the World Herald 4,
ON the altar Of his ambition. He sold
Hitchcock for the friendship OF Allen
and the populsts. Had he favored the
appointment Of Hitchcock to the va
cancy resulting from the death OF
Senator Haywood, Allen would have
certainly been candidate for Presi-
dent on the Populist ticket, and this
would have meant defeat for Bryan in
any event
LINES ARE SHARPLY DRAWN.
Now the lines are being clearly
drawn by both sides, and the chances
Of Bryan ever being factor in Ne
braska politics again are regarded rs
slim The Bryanltes took the first
step The Nebraska Travelling Mem
Bryan Club snubbed Hitchcock and re-
fused to invite him to their annual ban
quet on January s. Then the Jacksonian
Olub-the. great silk.stocking organiza'
tion at Omaha concluded TO take the
other side Of the proposition. 1t has
been previously arranged by Bryan that
the annual banquet Of the Jacksonians
should be the signal for the opening Of
his Presidential campaign. These
Jacksonian club banquets have always
taken the form Of national gatherings.
and this year President Ed f Smith
had secured the consent Of Garter Har-
rison, Henry Watterson, Hogg, OF
Texas. Altgeld. Overmyer and num-
Der of other Democrats Of national fame
to be present. and deliver addresses.
Bryan was scheduled for speech on
the Fate Of the Nation" which was
to be the hottest arraignment Of the ad-
ministration he had ever Issued.
Then the thing took another turn,
and the JacksOnlAns concluded TO show
their hostility toward Bryan and their
resentment for the defeat Of Hitchcock
by making Hitchcock POSTMASTER
When Bryan found this honor reserved
for Hitchcock he wired friends here to
get the plans changed, but they could
do nothing
APPEALED TO GOV. POINTER.
He appealed to Governor Poynter,
Senator Allen and others. but nothing
came OF it. The Omaha Democrats had
the backing Of those in the State and
they were determined TO show Bryan
that in future he would be relegated
to the Populist ranks in Nebraska
Then Bryan's personal enemies in
the East-those Democratic leaders
who frequently pretend to be his
friends. but are nOt-gOt hold OF these
facts and began to rub salt into the
wounds Of the boy orator OF the Platte
John K. Mclean. owner Of the Oinciu.
natl Enquirer, wired his Nebraska man
to send the paper thousand-word story
showing Bryan's obligation TO Hitch
cock and the ingratitude. involved In
the betrayal Of Hitchcock in the inter
est Of the Populist leader.
This is the situation in the state 1t
is now certain that the banquet that
promised to be the first gun OF Bryan s
campaign will be very chilly affair.
In any event, Bryan will not be given
the position of honor and Hitchcock
will be the real hero Of the gathering.
This means a serious split in the fus-
son ranks. and will greately assume
national proportions.
II looks as if the next years CAM
paign in Nebraska will see a half dozen
State tickets, and this is the year when
two Senators must be elected.
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