Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-23
FAVOR EARLY CONVENTION
Democrats and Populists Gather at Capital
for Committee Meeting Today.
RHEA MAKES APPEAL TO GOVERNOR
Promises ~ Life Il spared Him 20
show by His adj that He Il
Deserving of CIemency at
the Hands Of Governor.
From a stan correspondent


LINCOLN, April 2a-(SpeciaI.)-The
democratic and populistic executive COM
mittees will meet Jointly in this city to-
morrow evening. to FIX the time and place
Tor the state nominating conventions. Al
though no dates have been suggested by the
party leaders. the impression seems to
prevail here that the conventions will be
called for July. and that Lincoln will be
made the meeting place. There has been
some talk Of late conventions. but the ma
tortty Of the party workers In this city
favor beginning the campaign soon after
the republican convention Is held.
Democratic and populist candidates for
the gubernatorial nomination are getting
numerous. Among the p~opulist candidates
are: Congressman W. L. Stark Of Aurora.
r. d. Sutherland of Nelson. former Cover
nor W. A. Poynter Of Lincoln. and DR..
Damarell Of Red Cloud. Friends OF these
men are already at work. General Victor
Vifquain Of this city is mentioned as a
democratic candidate. and C. J. smyth is
being urged By some Of the workers.
Windows Much amaEed
Roofs. biliboards and signs in all parts
OF the city were blown away by the terrific
wind, which began about II O'Clock last
night. and. continued with undated fury to-
day. At Normal, a suburb OF lincoln. the
old power shed OF the Normal college was
demolished. The roof Of the South street
standpipe was caved In. A farmer living
three miles southwest OF the city sustained
the loss Of 200 thoroughbred and fancy
chickens, killed in the destruction Of the
coops. At Twenty-seventh and Randolph
streets a portion Of a roof OF a tenement
building was blown away. leaving the fam
iltna ~ IT, n W 49,
McDougall without shelter. Numerous plate
glass windows in the business district we're
broken. About midnight a slight shower
fell, but today's wind and sun quickly dis
sipated the moisture.
Rhea Appeals to Governor.
Rhea has written the following appeal to
the governors:
II is with a sad heart that I write these
lew Ines, hope you will give them some
l wish TO make the greatest request OF
you tina man can make OF. man, and that
past my errors have been many t" and y f tng
me deepest contrition- cannot blame
the responsibility OF my sad plight upon
1 know that God made me sufficient 10
have stood. though free to fall. have
fallen like many more before. and IKE
many, more will in the ,utlre. | feel as
11Ea = q n hNAAAh % OONA ana
young men in particular who are going
down every day through bad company ana
rum. ! wish TO state that whisky Is the
cause OF my present situation. Had | not
been intoxicated this case would never
have happened.
must say. and much to my shame. 1
was drunk beyond all reason. Il would
have been impossible for me to deliberate
or premedttate any act such as | nave
things, knoweth that my mind or heart
never harbored a thought or impulse which
would suggest wtllful murder. And in View
OF the condition / was IN I hope will save
me from such a death, also for the sake
or my relatives, who are one and all good
and respectable people. and for the sake
OF my many prayerful Christian friends in
this state and city and elsewhere.
Lacks a Mothers Care.
had the greatest misfortune when but
a small child and | feel that on that &C
count. too, you may be able 10 sympathiIe
with me. 1 lost my mother and as YOU
know a mother Is the one OF all others VINO
can and do influence their children TO the
right II YOU should decide to commute my
sentence (Which ! pray you will I shall
conduct myself here IN such a way that IL
Will be a pleasure for you To remember that
my life was saved by you. | have deter.
mined 10 be a better boy and try bv so
doing to mitigate the sad disgrace which
j have brought upon my people.
Governor, ! am praying thai the inhu-
ence which Is being brought TO bear by
those who wish my life to be taken will
not be sufficient In your estimation 10 cause
you to believe otherwise than that "a was
an error, not an intent. Before God (