Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-10

have taught it a lesson It deserved. We
impeaehed three state officers In 1898 and
II these men had been pronounced guilty
by the full court instead Of being let loose
half vindicated with a reprimand we would
nave no Bartleys and none Of the costly
and disgraceful experiences that have over
uSen us since that time. Let us see to IL
that II does not happen again by placing
men in ONCE so constituted that a bride
no matter how large will be spurned, and
that men who accept office will regard Il
as a public trust.
Right here let me say that there is no
man In the ststehouse for whom I enter
famed a higher regard than | did for Mr..
stuefer. We had always been personal
friends and I had the most implicit con-
nuence In him.. The idea has gone forth
mat L have some personal grievance and
that the publicity given to his conduct was
inspired by some motive OF revenge. This
Is absolutely u~nfounded. I can hardly even
today convince myself that he was aware
OF the lawless things that he did. but tho
record Is there. The transactions charged
up 70 him make II impossible. in my judR-
ment, for him to make a satisfactory de-
tense before the people OF this state. I
regret this as much as anybody, but the
republican party must stand for the strict
est integrity in the ONCE OF state treasurer
atter all the lessons that we have had, and
II the treasurer cannot AFFORD to fll that
once honestly, according to the spirit Of
tne law 1t is bis duty to step out and let
someone I'LL It who will abide by the law.
(Applause.)
Importance OF Coming Contest.
1t is not my purpose to Indicate what
candidate or candidates Douglas county
should support for any particular office
Out 10 not want to be a party to a sham
or masquerade. When we present a can
didate he must be a man who ENJOYS nom
uiar confidence and respect, and must have
our earnest support. II we are going to
Lincoln with a candidate for governor we
ought to go there with a determination
that he should be nominated. II we nut
up a man simply to give him a boost ana
some free advertising, with no intention
10 make him governor. we ought never to
put MIN forward as our candidate. It Is not
honest and 1t is not honorable. We have
uone such things heretofore. but II was
always my conviction that 1t was not good
politics nor good faith.
You are doubtless aware that the last
legislature left q great deal OF important
work undone, and that its work was NOT
satisfactory. This is the consensus of
opinion not only of republicans, but of
all classes Of our citizens. 1t was the duty
OF the last legislature to have reappor-
TONED the state in the legislative and
congressional districts. 1t absolutely failed
70 90 so by reason of the pressure by
agencies that are so we'll known. The
failure to give us the apportionment the
constitution required has robbed this county
OF at least three or four members in the
coming legislature, and In the legislatures
that will be for the next Ave years. and
possibly for ten.
We denounced the democratic party for
falling to reapportlon the state for the
census OF 1890 and we have repeated the
criminal folly that they perpetrated. While
we are not obliged to reapportion congress,
It remains for the future to show whether
or not 1t would have been advantageous
for republicans to do so.
Issue OF Congregational Election.
NOW, let me pass to another subjec.-one
In which you perhaps have q more live in
terest-aDd that is the question OF who Is
to represent this district In the next con-
gress.
You all remember that II has been re,
p~eatedly charged that The Omaha Bee had
v~ieiously opposed the nomination and cleo
tion Of David H. Mercer to congress when
ne was a candidate the FIRST time. The
truth is that The Bee did vigorously op>
pose the nomination of Mr.. Mercer, but It
did not oppose his election after he had
been nominated. Every republican has a
right to oppose the nomination Of any
candidate, and 1t is his duty to exercise
that right to the fullest extent. (AppIause.)
Now LET ma Rad IN fua adNRnwTaI. 49,,
appeared in The Bee prior to the nomina-
ton Of Mercer for the first term, in 1892,
which embodied the reasons for this oppo-
sition. On September IA, 1892, the follow
Ing editorial appeared under the head,
why He is Not Available:'
The hackers OF Mr.. Dave Mercer had
better bottle their wrath. This Is not a
question OF good fellowship, personal
The. editor OF The Bee testified under
oath before the United States Pacific Rail-
ton and debauchery Of The legislative
lobby, He testified among other things
that Dave Mercer was, with others, a
That fact was corroborated BY other wit
nesses, notably William r, Gurley and
mony has been published by the United
States and is accessible to the public and
win be within reach OF the candidates for
congress on the opposite side.
In the face OF such evidence the editor
OF The Bee cannot stultify himself or this
paper by endorsing Mr.. Mercer for con-
gress, even II he were otherwise fitted for
the position or entitled to such a high
place at the hands of the party.
II. has been the boast of the republicans
In the present campaign that the party has
presented to the people candidates whose
records are untainted. It cannot and IL
should not recede from this high purpose.
We cannot hope to m success this
year unless we deserve Il by presenting
clean ana capable men for the SURFACES
OF the people. In taking that position the
editor OF The Bee is not assuming to die
tate who shall be honored, but he simply
discharges a disagreeable duty In pointing
out who among the aspirants for leading
positions are not available.
MERGERS Original Nomination.
On September 20. Just before the nomina-
ton, this article appeared. headed. Dave
MERGERS Candidacy"
A majority of the delegates chosen by
the republican convention of Douglas
county have expressed their preference for
Dave Mercer as the candidate for con-
gress in this district. What claim has
Dave Mercer upon the people or party for
a seat in congress-? HIS career in Omaha
began In the Union Pacific headquarters
as 4 third-rate clerk. from which he was
promoted 10 the railroad oilroom lobby.
The work OF this lobby was to debauch
and corrupt the legislature in the voting
down Of measures In the interests OF the
people and promoting the interest OF the