Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-17
POPULISTS TIP THEIR HAND
Party Organ Gives Some Inside History Of
Recent Campaign.
NO HOPE FOR SUCCESS At BEGINNING
state Committee OmciaIs Issue Cam
Paisn vsIedictory in which They
Say "Our People seemed Dead
in the SHE'LL
Iron a SAD Correspondent.l

(From a Stan Correspondent
LINCOLN, Nov. 16.-(Special)-Since the
close Of the campaign some information
has come out which throws a new light on
It's conduct, especially with reference to
the populist end OF the fusion combination.
The Official organ OF the party, published
here. in its latest issue, tells ZONE Of the
inside history that is interesting. II not
important. II declares that at the close
OF the Grand Island conventions. a little
knot OF men who have long been fighters
In the ranks and none OF whom ever held
once, got together and had a heart-to-
heart talk. The opinion Of all was that
we had no chance of success this year,
but we would keep up our organization and
make the best fight we could.
1t goes on to say tina a large number
Of the old reform voters we're dissatisfied
with the fusion administration was we'll
known. Not that II was not honest and
economical. but because when we had the
power we failed to do all that might have
been done. The most Of the dissatisfaction
was with the railroad commission, and
these old workers who had sacrificed so
much in their fight against the railroads
we're very much displeased. That was the
report from every part of the state. Then
the taking of little fees and other per-
quisites, besides the constitutional salaries,
although sanctioned by the courts, had
taken the heart out Of the workers One
OF those present remarked that he Won
dered that we had such a convention and
as much interest as we did have after all
these things. But none Of the little flock
proposed to give up. AS far as they were
concerned they would fight as long as they
had life and breath. Z.
Refers 20 Railroad In
After the campaign had got we'll started
things began coming our way, continues
the article, and many republicans thought
that the fusion governor would make it
and the railroad candidate would be de-
feated. Then the story was started that
the B. g. M. road was doing nothing to
elect Mickey that, in fact, that 1t
was aiding Thompson. Many of the best
posted men in the fusion party were led
to believe that the b. & NJ. really desired
the defeat OF Mickey. 1t was so stated in
Omaha and Lincoln and all over the state.
Sunday before the election old populists
began to send in inquiries asking II 1t
we're true and expressing the determine
ton to abandon the fight. A consultation
was held and while it was acknowledged
that the B.. & NJ. had been generous in its
offers OF transportation, II had all been
cou%rteously refused, and the managers told
point blank that the candidates would
stand by the platform upon which they
were nominated. But this story was told
in every town and village in the state
and the disappointed element in the party
we're ready TO believe Il.
The article says the %populists in par
ticular are greatly dishesrtened by the
fusion failure this year. They are trying
to put up a good face in expressing a hope
that things may still come their way and
that they propose 10 night It out on prin-
ciple, although without sight Of the spoils.
Issue Campaign VaIedictOry.
In this connection Chairman Weber and
Secretary Farris have issued a proclams-
ton as a sort of campaign valedictory. the
most pertinent sections OF which read:
At the opening of this campaign every.
thing was against us and not even the most
could win. But we went into the ight
hoping at least to cut down the republican
majority Of two years ago, which was made
by Imported votes, free railroad transporta-
tion and other republican methods.
We have been ctamped for funds as never
before. This retarded the work planned
by this committee very materially. Our
people seemed to be dead in the SHELF
politically. Many party leaders said there
was no use 10 Ivy.
Later in the campaign the situation
looked more encouraging. 1t became evil
dent that the fusion ticket would make ma
teriai gains I'm the cities and towns where
the people began to realize what II meant
to their pocketbooks. We believed the
farmers would awake to this fact also and
that they would go to the polls and vote.
The early returns verified our Judgment
and indicated u fusion victory so conclusive
that at 10 o'clock election night the repub-
lican state committee conceded the election
of the fusion state ticket. But when the
returns begar TO come in from the country
districts II showed a relative loss and this
continued till the battle was lost.
The populists are trying hard to keep
their people in line through representation
that defeat is due exclusively this year to
the stay-at-home vote, but privately they
are saying what one OF the leaders said this
week: I'm afraid the Jig is up. Nebraska
is a republican state. We are in the NIL
nority and the new recruits do not attach
themselves to the minority party"