Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-02
URKE AND MERCER.

people Of Nebraska which The Bee is bound
to recognize, how does 1t happen that The
Bee fails to recognize similar claims which
Mr.. Mercer has upon the people OF Ne
braska7 Neither one Of these gentlemen
stands for any particular principle. Either
one Of them would sacrifice any principle
for the sake Of an ONCE. The thing that
has made Mr.. Burkett popular is his ability
to secure liberal appropriations for public
buildings in his congressional district.
Had 1t not been that Mr.. Mercer, chair
man Of the public buildings committee, was
a citizen of Nebraska and favorably In
clined to the appropriations which Mr..
Burkett sought, Burkett would not have OBJ
tanned one penny of the money for secur-
ing which he is now being lauded to the
skies by the republicans Of his district
World Herald.
The Bee has never failed to recognize
Congressman MERGERS just claims for
credit in securing appropriations for
public buildings and other improve
ments In his district-in fact, Mr.. Mer-
through the columns of this paper. But
Mercer is by II means the only. con-
gresham who has secured public build
ing appropriations for Nebraska towns.
Omaha had a $25O,O00 p~ostofice building
before Mercer had emerged from the
public schools, and Lincoln, Nebraska
City and Beatrice had public buildings
before he entered the halls of congress.
The larger part of the appropriation for
Omaha's new federal building was Sc
a,..oJ H.. Con-cozsn,on ~NTpSknnn
While Mercer doubtless made it easier
for Burkett to secure the appropriation
for the Lincoln postotice, it does not fol-
low that Burkett would have failed to
pull it through with Mercer out Of con-
gress. Mr.. Burkett's position on the APP
propriatlons committee would have a
bled him to obtain reciprocal favors and
the fact that the omnibus building bill
carried nearly $3.50 900 would indicate
that other cities and congressman out
side Of Nebraska are also able to get
liberal appropriations.
AS between our attitude toward Mer-
Ger and toward Burkett, there is this
difference: Mr.. Burkett has been in con-
gress but two terms, while Mercer has
been there five terms. A third term has
been accorded to at least five Nebraska
| congressman, but a sixth term has never
been accorded to any man, and it should
not be unless he ranks intellectually
with the great leaders who formulate
policies for the nation. Mercer is a good
logroller, but he never pretended to
leadership ON national issues or even on
local issues. In other words, Mercer has
had all the recognition he has ever been
entitled to.
Burkett lives in Nebraska when he is
not at his post of duty at Washington.
Mercer visits Nebraska for a few weeks
every two years when he is a candidate
for reelection and spends from six to
nine months a year between sessions al
pleasure resorts and on pleasure tours
in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Burkett pays his campaign assess
ments and always takes an active inter
est in every republican candidate In his
district. Mercer, on the other hand
deadbeats his way even when he is run
ming on the ticket and never helps any
body but himself, whether he is running
or not running.
Burkett gratefully appreciates what
has been done for him by his friends anC
his party. Mercer claims to be indis
pensable and thinks that the party ant
people need him a great deal more thar
he needs them.