Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-07
MERCER ON A JOLLYTNC TOUR
Tells Different Story in County Than He
Does in City.
HAND SHAKING AND BsAGsADoclo GAME
John Mcdonald ProcIaims Himself for
Pratt in the sixth ward, but
Talks for Mercer in
Country Precincts.

Dave Mercer and his allies have buckled
down to hard work and are waging a cam
paign that Is characteristic OF the non-resi-
dent congressman. It is his old game Of
hand shaking, braggadocia and confidence
talk that Dave has always put up, although
b. lie playing his hand with more despera-
ton than ever, for he realizes that he is
UP against the real thing this time.
Last Friday Mercer, in company with
County Commissioner Gus Hsrte, former
Sheriff John Mcdonald and A. w. Jefferies,
who wants to be county attorney, made the
rounds of several country precincts. leaving
tracks in Willard. McArdle and Douglas.
The nonresident, upon being prompted by
Harte and Mcdonald. accosted everybody
he met Familiarity, calling them by their first
names, as IL he had jostled them every
day in the year instead Of trying to re-
new acquaintances that had been dropped
for years.
To the people In the country Mercer in
sisted that every ward in the city was
solid for him and all he needed was the
support OF. the country to make his nomina-
tion unanimous. although In the city he has
been telling that he had the country solid
and only needed the city.
It is significant, also, that Mcdonald, who
was chaperoning Mercer and who is w. J.
Broatch's business and political partner,
has been pretending in the Sixth ward,
where he lives, to,be in favor of Nelson G.
Pratt for congress. 1t is characteristic Of
Mcdonald to proclaim himself for the pop
ular candidate in his home ward and then
go campaigning for the candidates OPP
ponent In the country.
The fact that Mercer is getting down to
a personal canvass shows that he realizes
the desperate condition Of his cause. This
is also seen In his presence recently at sew
eral ward meetings, making a forced effort
to jolly the ward workers, when previously
he had CONTEMPORARY ignored invitations
to attend meetings on the theory that he
did not need any help from such a source.
His reception at these meetings, however,
has hardly been Of the kind to encourage
him, whereas his opponents, especially in
their OWE wards, have been given most en-
thusiastic receptions and assurances Of
hearty support.
There seems to b considerable dissat-
isfaction In the Ninth ward over the man
ner in which the ward club is run by a small
clique OF chronic politicians who have a
cut and dried slate for the business Of
every meeting, A movement is on foot for
the organization of another club in which
the ordinary citizen will have a chance.
Although the call for the city republican
convention has been out for some days can
didates for the Board OF Education are still
'bashful, at least those on the republican
side. OF the hve members who go out this
year only N. M. Howard and W. F. Johnson
are. willing to try for another term,
The outspoken declaration of w. H.
Thompson, the democratic candidate for
governor, In favor Of home rule for Omaha.
especially In the matter of the appointment
Of the fire and police board, is expected to
be d keynote for the democratic legislative
candidates in this county who are expected
: soon to take It UP and make municipal home
: rule their leading campaign cry.