Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-01

hoDerlgs now many men 10 you AuAhh NuuiN
go to the congress Of the United states
with an opposition majority against him,
with an opposition president in the White
House. and in his first term get an APP
preparation for a S1OO. 900 building for the
city Of South Omaha? That is what Mer-
GER did. (Applause).
But he says that he is going TO state In
a few words his opposition to Mercer, and
I took II down. He says, Il am opposed to
him because we have done all for him that
we could do. We have given him ave
terms. Does he want to stay there for life!
In 90 and rs we had many things for
him to do. We have nothing more for him
to do now" / want to read to you a let
ter which was handed TO me yesterday
by Captain Palmer Of this city, q letter
which had been received by him from a
congressman from South Dakota, dated
May 21.
Captain II. f. Palmer, Omaha, e Ny
Dear Str-Mr. Mercer rendered US good
service in connection with the sanitarium
bill, and l want to speak a good word IN
his behalf 1 sincerely hope that you ana
very materially in his candidacy for re-
election. The fact Is that Mr.. Mercer is a
very useful member OF the house of repre-
sentatiyes, particularly from the stand
point of the west. His position as chair
man of the house committee on public
DuAlulllk dlu kIuuIhH IlhNNH mn WHY ~
can be of very material service TO all OF
the western. states. He is so thoroughly
western in HIS life and education. and so
thoroughly posted as TO our needs, that II
would be a great loss to the west, in my
opinion. II he should be retired from public
life. II he should not remain In congress
we could not hope to have a western man
chairman OF that committee. The ranking
member Is a New Yorker. sincerely YOURS
CApplause).
Here is another letter which / received
today from a gentleman by the name Of
Blanchard. who is connected with Shelley
Rogers company, live stock commission men
OF South Omaha He says, under date Of
May 20:
The people Of South Omaha are very
much Interested In Congressman Mercer
them. One instance, May 8, 1902, Secretary
OF the Exchange Guild wrote Mercer tnat
our people wanted a sn6 pos tom Q 6m ~
May 13 or IA we read in Associated Press
dispatches, Washington. d. C, that the
matter had been presented and would be
/ write you his to show again that he is
alive to the interests, OF his people en9
goes right after anything they need. II
you can use this to advantage In your
debate, shall feel vel paid; NcuApD
(Applause)
Bat he says. or rather intimates, for he
mas not vet lOlQ US WHY u was AhdN NC was
opposed 10 Mr.. Mercer, but he intimates
that one Of the reasons is because Mr.. Mer-
Ger went to the city Of Lincoln in 1899,
while my distinguished opponent thought
he was a candidate for United States SEN
| ator. (Applause.) Aye, that was an I'M
pardonable offense-for a congressman who
had served six years-eight years-in this
district, to aspire to the senatorship Of the
United States while my distinguished OPP
ponent imagined that he had a show
(Laughter.)
Why. Of course, we all know he never did
He charges Mercer with treachery because
he says that q large majority OF the repub-
licans Of this district expressed their pref
erence for him for United States senator or
the ballot. Not at all; not at all; my dis
tinguished opponent. II ie generally known
that a large number Of those votes express
ing preference for you were simply demo
cratic votes cast to complicate the repub'
licau situation.
Voices, YES, yes."CLaughter and loud ant
continued applause.)
Now then let US see. Was that treachery
Mercer hadn't contested. 1t is true, for tn
delegation from Douglas county with m,
DISTINGUISHED opponent. And he says, tina
Mr.. Webster, after my distinguished op
ponent beat him at the primaries, he says
Webster, be 1t TO his honor, abided by thu
result" That was in 1900. Does the gen
tlemen remember the primary Of '9s wheI
John L. Webster carried the delegation
from this county? Does the gentleman re
member that after Webster carried thh
county, and those delegates were pledged u
Webster. he went down there and he cajoleI
and he persuaded and he threatened and h
pleaded with them that they would forsak'
their honor, break their pledge and vot,
for him for United States senator? Uaugh
ter and loud applause.) Let the gentleman
deny that II he dare, and when l come t
reply / will prove it daughter and sp
plause.)