Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-01

a purchasing station. II also provided that
Just as soon az the west wing Of the new
building was completed then the army
was to move out Of the old building into
the new building. The old building was to
be retained as a quartermaster's supply
depot. The bill that Mr.. Mercer has in
troduced now is a quartermaster's ware
house. The other was a quartermsster's
supply purchasing station. The army
had moved out Of The Bee building in
July, 1900. Mercer held the bill in his
pocket for nine months after the army
headquarters had been in the old post
ONCE building. This trumped up charge
falls to the ground. There is not a scin-
tilla Of truth in II.
want to ask my friend another thing:
II Mr.. Mercer had been so loyal to his
constituency, why has he acted as IL the
cadetships at the disposal OF every con-
gresham were his personal property? why
has he not given the same opportunity to
all the deserving boys of Omaha and the
district that was given by w. J. Con-
nell, that was given by w. J. Bryan, that
was given by Judge Crounse and the other
congressman who have represented us?
Why has he given these cadetships only to
the young men to whose fathers he was
under some political obligation and never
allowed the other boys to compete and get
an opportunity The result OF his miser-
able way Of appointing has been that two
thirds Of the boys recommended failed
either on account Of physical or mental
disability. and this district has sent to
West Point and Annapolis simply boys
whose fathers had put Mercer under some
obligation. One OF these is the son Of
Thomas Blackburn. Now, Mr.. Blackburn's
son is a deserving boy, we'll qualified, per-
haps, but he should have contested that
place with every other boy in the district
who had an ambition to be educated for the
navy at the expense OF the United States.
(Applause.)
I want to know why Mr.. Mercer has
done nothing in the District OF Columbia
except for his friends on the wife's side?
l want to know why Mr.. Mercer has dis
placed two union veteran soldiers who were
employed in the capitol building and put
in their places two residents of Minnesota
who have no claim upon him? Why is 1t
that Nebraska Is not represented In place
of Minnesota? Ny friend has not nswered
me yet, whether Mr.. Mercer intends to
stay in Omaha in case we do not ~re-elect
him. He has not answered definitely any
question about the mex term. Mercer will
always want a next term.
Within the last week he declared at
Washington he was going to have this con-
gressional campaign when he got good and
ready. He has the congressional commit
tee and he proposes to hold the convention
and the primary whenever 1t pleases him.
With the machinery in his hands Mercer
proposes to force himself upon the repub-
licans Of this district whether they want
him or not. Is It not our privilege to
select public servants whom we consider
worthy? Are we to be compelled to keep
perpetually the same representative in
Washington as II the position was heredi-
tary? In debating MERGERS claims 1t mat
tiers nothing what policy I have advocated
or what l have done in years past. Suf1ce
It to say, my friend had no right to remain
on the congressional committee when he
could not in honor support the ticket the
last time. He has not answered a single
one Of my questions yet.
thank you for the kin attention you
have given me and / trust you will give
the matter presented tonight your earnest
consideration. cloud a%pplause.)
MR. GURLEY.
Mr.. Chairman and Fellow Citizens: The
gentleman has presented his case. What
argument has he advanced? What reason
has he given; what sentiment has he APP
pealed to which strikes a responsive chord
In any republican heart? Has he convinced
this audience that what he said of Mer-
Ger in SO and 'eS was not true7 Has he
been able to show any decline in the in
huence, in the power or in the repub-
licanism Of our representative Fellow
republicans, you are to nominate the next
congressman from this district. 1t is not
in the power OF any one man to nominate.
It is not in the power Of any one man to
defeat. Yours is the duty. Yours is the
power Where, will you stand7 The issue
is clear and we'll defined. Shall an alleged
republican, who does not hesitate to say
that he will defeat the party unless his
will be substituted for the will Of the
people, shall a Wanting traitor who pro-
claims his treacherous intent before the
hour Of battle. be placed in command Of
the troops7 (Cries OF no, MOI
Has Nebraska no pride in her
own? David H. Mercer is Of Nebraska.
reared on her p~rairies. educated in her
common schools, working his way through
her university, he stands today in the
congress of the United States representa-
tive, typical Of the traditional spirit Of
the great west, the spirit which commands
the respect and challenges the recognition
Of the east. He has done much for our