Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-12


David Anderson, an old wheel horse in
the republican party, and the man who
cast the first vote for David II. Mercer ten
years ago, is not among the congressman's
! present supporters. In an Interview yes
i terday he said:
II believe the nomination of Mr.. Mercer
would prove a temporary calamity to the
party and citizens generally of the Second
congressional district because / believe 1t
would mean the election Of a democrat
from a republican district to a republican
congress-which all loyal and patriotic re-
publicans would ~deplore.
Ten years ago | cast the first vote in
the convention that gave Mr.. Mercer his
nomination and proved steadfast to him
until he exploited himself as a candidate
for the United States senate and Joined
in the crusade against and defeat of Mr..
Rosewater. whose claims were far above
those Of any other individual in the state
and who for thirty years proved to be the
most able and best exponent OF the grand
old party and its benehcent policies west
Of the Missouri river. Our friend Dave
seems to have lost his political equilibrium
and sagacity. His record in congress has
given pretty general satisfaction to his
constituents; the argument advanced that
ne udS btTNSu lOuE GuOubu anu ShOulN w
retired contains no logic whatever, as most
eastern and southern states retain their
senators and congressman almost indein-
itely on account of the knowledge, large ex-
perience and influence acquired in that
school Of craftsmanship. No business man
or employer of labor would think Of dis
missing a worthy and competent employe
so long as he performed good service to
make room for a new and inexperienced
one.
However, l hold the interests and sue
cess Of the republican party to be Of far
more Importance than the political aspira-
tions or ambition of any individual and
therefore believe it would be very i'm
polite and unwise, considering the pres
ent unfortunate status of our party in this
district at present, to give Mr., Mercer an
other nomination"
For a good and sufficient reason the Sew
enth ward republicans washed no dirty linen
at their meeting scheduled for last night.
The good and sufficient reason was that
enough linen was strung around on clothes
lines in their hall at Twenty-seventh and
Leavenworth streets to clothe everyone
! present-136 pieces in all, and every piece
was s~potless white.
TnlS reVeiatlon was not made until almoSl
9 o'clock, and 1t was too much for the crowd
and the meeting was called off. By $3.50
o'clock over fifty republicans had congregatet
in front Of the place. awaiting the arrival
OF President Thomas to open and light the
hall. Mr.. Thomas arrived. Come on boys
was his greeting, and armed with a lighted
match he lead the way up the dark stairs
He unlocked the door by the Pickering ligh'
and stepped in the hall. He stopped, tbs
light went out and then he anne out. His
hat was gone and across his shoulders was
a pillowcase with the water recently wrunl
from 1t. Reinforced with more matches anC
more men Thomas again made entrance II
the room. The gas was lighted and the room
by gaslight was certainly startling.
From the southeast to the northeast cor.
ner was a long rope upon which was sus.
pended wearing apparel. On the west side
Of the hall, running the entire length, was
another rope, and this was heavy with IT.
load Of recently washed linen.
Next Thursday night 1t is expected thaf
the tent will be ready for the Seventh ward
ers and President Thomas has promised thai
1t shall not be turned into a drying room
before the first meeting is held.