Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
ABOUT FUSION AND FUsIONIsTs.

Madison Mail (EX-Senator Allen, popD:
The announcement OF a press dispatch
Wednesday that the editor of the Mail
was then in Louisville, KY, is untrue.
We have at no time intended to join 10
Parker's meeting of political traitors and
~renegsdes.
Holdrege Citizen: 1t may be fusion again
this year, but certain it is there is plenty
OF confusion as yet in the allied forces Of
reform. Once more the old wrangle is
going on as to whether the fellow who
labels himself populist or the one who
calls himself a democrat and let's 1t go at
that is to have the privilege Of leading
the forces to the conflict this fall.
David City Banner: The World-Herald
has remained as quiet as a clam regarding
ex-Treasurer Meserve pocketing 5000
received as interest on state school money
which he loaned out to banks, and the
Nebraska Independent has made all kinds
Of excuses for the ex-treasurer. Such ac-
lions on the part OF the party organs OF
the state have disguised many fusionists
and helped to drive them into the repub-
lican party.
Albion Argus (pop.): 1t makes a person
weary who is acquainted with the facts in
the case to read excuses made for Meserve
farming out the states cash, because OF
the ''old tin cam safe at the capitol.
There Is not a safer place in the state for
funds than that provided for the treasurer
at the state house-the very best time
lock steel safe In a good vault. Why
don't they come square out and say that
in their judgment it was better for him to
violate the law and put the money in cir
c~ulation than to keep 1t locked up? Give
the real reason and don't lie about the
states repository.
Fremont Tribune (rep.): The fact that
c. ]. Smyth was attorney for j.. B. Meservo
and cleared that gentleman of embeZzling
interest on state school moneys by taking
advantage Of a technicality will not operate
TO an overwhelming extent in making him,
any more than Meserve, the fusion candi-
date for governor. The Tribune is disposed
to prophesy that when the "antis' come
together they will finally conclude to nom
mate Mr.. Bryan for the place and pour
forth their libations OF love at his throne
once more. No doubt his personal integrity
and the cohorts who are moved by a sort
Of religious frenzy when he is an issue
can ask for support on the ground that he
can't put in force any OF his widowed
notions OF national affairs, and that there
fore he can do little harm. Make a note
Of 1t that the barn dweller will be in the
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will receive the bolt.
wahoo New Era Cpop): Populists may as
we'll be prepared to accept fusion or CO.
operation, as some prefer to call it, because
the leaders of the party are bending all
their energies In that direction. Chairman
DeFrance was careful not to give the num-
Der OF votes reported against fusion. nor
the name Of the counties that voted in the
negative. The New Era however, will
not wage a war Of opposition unless con-
strained thereto; our position is so well
known that 1t needs no further elucida-
ton. The question as far as we are con-
cerned will be left to the decision OF the
p~opulist voters Of this country. TO be de-
cided when they select their delegates TO
the next county convention. Furthermore
we do not wish to again call down upon
our head the vengeance OF the republican
leaders Of this county for opposing fusion;
a certain clique Of republicans are always
acting in collision Wit a ring of fusion
politicians.
Columbus Telegram (dem.); Senator Al
len has undertaken another job which will
prove as difhcult as his late endeavor TO
prove that Thomas Jefferson did not write
the Declaration Of Independence. Just
now he is viciously swinging his bull whip
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cratic and populist editors who have dared
express disapproval Of the action Of Messrs.
Porter and Meserve, who went out of ONCE
carrying with them money which belonged
in the state treasury. Mr.. Allen directly
says that those democrats and populists
who e~riticise Porter and Meserve are fur
nishing ammunition for the political enemy.
For shame that one who has been elevated
so high by Nebraska democrats and Dopu-
lists should stoop TO such base argument.
Senator Allen is a lawyer. and a good one.
He knows that both Porter and Meserve
violated the oficial cath 70 which thew
subscribed when assuming once, and yet
he has the brazen nerve 10 refer 10 these
discredited public servants as good citi-
zens and worthy gentlemen" But perhaps
Senator Allen does not really remember
what the constitution OF Nebraska saws
regarding the touching and handling Of
money which belongs TO the people. II
our copy Of the state statutes is authentic.
then the Nebraska constitution, speaking
Of state officials. says: They shall not re-
ceive to their own use any fee. costs. inter
est upon public moneys IN their hands or
under their control" Secretary Porter
admits that he has run counter TO the con-
stitutiOn. Mr.. Meserve practically admits
the receipt OF interest on public money.
And yet Senator Allen proposes 10 discredit
the party standing Of every democrat or
p~opulist who condemns those unworthy
public servants. For shame that a man
Of Senator Aliens recognized ability should
seek 70 teach the damnable doctrine that
vice becomes virtue when committed By one
Of our political school