Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-02
MERCER STILL HAS THE FLOOR.

MhhCA 6AAhb mas IA E0COAh
David H. Mercer is trying to pose be-
fore this community as a much maligned
man because The Bee has insisted that
he must square himself with his constit-
uents before he can justify his demand
for another term in congress. Mr.. Mer-
Ger is certainly not obliviOus to the fact
that ON May II, 1902, William f. Guriey
issued a challenge to the editor of The
Bee to discuss his candidacy In the fol-
lowing terms:
Having announced yourself as opposed to
the denomination of David H. Mercer in
congress, both by public speech and in the
columns Of your paper, and as the con-
gressional campaign is now at hand, the
question of Mr.. MERGERS candidacy is one
Of no little interest to the people of this
community. Believing in free and full dis
cussion Of all public questions, 1 hereby
extend to you an invitation to meet with
me in joint debate before the republicans
Of this district in such time and place and
under such arrangements as may be agreed
upon with us, or our representatives, to
discuss the situation. An immediate reply
will oblige-"
The challenge was promptly accepted
and the debate took place more than a
month ago. During the progress of the
debate certain questions were pro-
pounded to Mr.. Gurley, which he either
ignored or declined to answer. AL
though Mr.. Mercer has been a visitor in
Omaha for more than ten days and has
repeatedly been urged to answer these
questions, he still maintains a discreet
silence.
In order that Mr.. Mercer may have
another opportunity to square himself
with the people of the district of which
he is the nonresident representative The
Bee, at the risk of being charged with
malice aforethought, again p%ropounds
the questions In the exact language in
which they were ~propounded the last
time:
Question-Wil Mr.. Mercer live in
Omaha If he is not reelected, or will he
locate permanently in Washington and
resume his old business as professional
lobbyist?
This question Mr.. Gurley parted by
declaring that he is not a mind reader.
Question-Wm Mr.. Mercer be satisfied
with a sixth term in congress-, or will
he want a seventh term, an eighth term
and as many more terms as he can I'LL
during the balance of his life2
This question MI. Gurley met by the
bold declaration that the people of this
district needed Mercer more than Mer-
Ger needed them. In other words, Mer-
Ger needs them only two months out Of
the year and they ought to be satisfied.
Question-Is it true that Congressman
Mercer pockets the allowance of 500
per month for clerk hire instead Of CIV
ing some Nebraska boy or girl a chance
to earn the salary?
About this subject Mr.. MERGERS cham
pion seemed to be dazed and the people
still remain absolutely in the dark.
QuestIon-Why does Mr.. Mercer make
political deals for West Point and An
napolis cadetships while other congress
men leave these appointments open for
competitive examination so that every
boy who aspires to such an education
can have al equal chance?
This also staggered Mr.. Gurley and
failed to elicit a response.
Question-Why did Mercer displace
two Nebraska grand army veterans who
were employed in the capitol building
and substitute for them men who are
not old soldiers and moreover are re.
puted to hail from MinnesOta2
This inquiry stirred Mr.. Gurley to
most profound indignation and in re
Spouse he wanted to know why the
editor Of The Bee does not wear wooden
shoes, dress in rags and go forth into
the woods to make penance for the rest
Of his life.