Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-14
BLAIR OUT AGAINST MERCER
Veteran Judge PronOunoss in Favor Of
Retiring Present Congressman.
fifth WARD REpUBucANs HOLD SESSION
our Dave ignores Invitation 20 At
tend, but Member ID Not For
Ret Hmm Connection
with snub.

The sensation OF the meeting Of the Fifth
Ward Republican club last night was the
action Of Judge Blair in coming out openly
against Mercer. This pillar of republican
ism, seasoned by decades or experience
with the party in Omaha. when called upon
to speak In advocacy OF his own candidacy,
declared:
Il an not here to talk for myself. 1
came to hear these congressional candt
dates. l have heard the three who are
present. and / wish now to say that no
man should own a seat in congress. I be-
lieve that the time has come for us to ask
ourselves. Isn't Ave terms enough for any
oneH' Il takes SOM courage for me to say
this under the circumstances, candidate as I
am for the judicial nomination, but 1 mean
IT." III.
For that sentiment round after round Of
applause was given to Judge Blair.
The r. s. V. p. was totally ingored by
David H. Mercer. He and other republican
congressional candidates we're invited out
to Sixteenth and Corby streets TO- address
the club along the lines suggested by
their approaching campaign. A large and
enthusiastic body Of men was gathered In
Young's hall for this afrair, but "Our
Dave" came not. Neither did he send any
regrets, max any excuse for not appear
ing. or, In fact, recognize the invitation Of
the club in any way.
Doesn't Help Dave Any.
The absence Of Mr.. Mercer, though ex-
pected. was the occasion Of much common
on the part Of those present, and 1t also af-
forded material for a deadly parallel which
speakers other than the three additional
congressional aspirants did not fail to
make use. Of in comparing the merits Of this
trio with those possessed By the absent
brother.
Three candidates for congress, Messrs.
j. P. Breen, N. @. Pratt and e. ]. Cornish,
were there In the flesh and In the spirit as
well, and made rousing speeches one and
all. So did several candidates for minor
offices, including Judge Blair, Judge Holmes
and A. @. Troup, for the district bench,
and Debord for county attorney.
Mr.. Breen said he had been accused OF
an agreement with another candidate not
to come north OF, Leavenworth street In
this campaign. He was at Young's hall to
d~lsprove the existence Of such a compact
The speaker. touched largely upon the topic
OF Issues. There are no real issues In
this campaign said he, none OF real ma
tional import upon which honest and sim
cere men can be divided" Mr.. Breen then
exposed f~allacies Of a few Of the alleged
Issues set up by the democrats, dwell
ing chiefly upon hat Of militarism, or mill
tary despotism.
but for all that we must not overlook
the subject Of issues in this fight" said Mr..
Pratt, taking VI the thought at that point.
I'VE must not forget that the democratic
party can fight harder without an issue than
any other organization in existence. Those
people do not need an Issue. In fact, their
issue has always been to be against every
thing the, republicans were for"
Candidates. should Come Out.
=. J.. Cornish said he liked the idea OF
getting before the people. "All candidates
EsHouid4 he. said--.sThsy should come out
land be measured and weighed and looked
over thoroughly. No man is so great that
he can afford to stand aloof from his con-
st~ituents. For myself" he continued, = II
feel as II we were like race horses before an
unfair Judge. We are all scoring time and
again.. but the man who is handling the
favored horse does not give the nod to show
that he is satisfied with his position, and
so we are called back time and again. and
none of us knows when that judge will let
us CO."
w. l. Kierstead withdrew from the race
for the nomination for county eommis-
sioner from the Third district. He said
he had a good position now and he in
tended to hold onto it. So he wished
to get out of the way early and let other
candidates get busy.
Howard Bruner resigned as treasurer Of
the club because he was about to move
from the ward. He was rendered a vote Of
thanks for efficient service for two years.
and also for turning over a balance at the
end Of each year. Frank Dewey was elected
to succeed i'm. Chairman Christie presided
at the meeting.