Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-31
LUNCHEON FOR THE KICKERS
Mercer Gives Rejection to South Omaha
Delegates to Republican Convention.
SUPPRESSED CANDIDATES ASKED TO FEAST
Tenders Empty Honors 60 Men He Of
Tended in Day Of His Questionable
Victory when Favor Meant
something substantial.

A banquet was given yesterday at which
Mr.. Mercer and his managers expected
20 heal the sores which have festered
upon the delegates to the republican county
convention since they were incontinently
dropped from the proceedings OF that con-
vention by the Mercer managers and their
candidates for Offices not only denied them,
but the men they had selected for members
Of the central committee turned down in
favor OF men who had been rejected at the
polls.
This feast, which was given in Omaha,
was probably the last Of the feeds by which
Mr.. Mercer has endeavored to capture the
support of the electors Of the district In
lieu Of arguments or speeches. Twice be-
fore the primaries he gave banquets 10 the
voters at the South Omaha stock yards. A
third banquet was spread at the Omaha
Commercial club rooms to members Of the
old county central committee in his en-
deavors to capture that organization, and
two banuuets we're given at the Willard "a
certain people upon whom he desired ia
operate. These banquets. six in all, were
noted for the rotations which were sup
plied with the eatables. They were GER
taInly a part of the campaign expenses OF
the candidate and we're provided out Of the
1895 which Mr.. Mercer swore he expended
TO secure the nomination.
To the dinner yesterday we're invited
the men who left the republican con-
vention In disgust when they we're so forci-
bly, given to understand that nothing good
could come out OF South Omaha and other
persons invited are those persons who were
candidates for nomination. In addition tc
the feast Mr.. Mercer's managers. 1t is un-
derstood, have consented to change the
members OF the central committee from
South Omaha and to place thereon men who
will be satisfactory to the majority of the
republican voters Of that city. This will
be done now that the campaign has ended
and the present committee will have moth
ing to do but to call the next convention
and make preparations for the election OF
their successors. 1t is too late to give
South Omaha any candidate on the ticket,
but Il is stated that Mr.. Mercer will ex-
press regret for that fact and that with
these promises and this feed he expects
70 capture the men as he hopes to capture
the women by kissing the babies.
The true inwardness OF all Of this profess
sion is shown by the remarks of Grant
williams, a Mercer supporter in the Sixth
ward, made to Van B. Lady o few days ago.
They were talking Of the political stu
alton, in williams barber shop, and the
Mercer champion said in effect: w have
got the opposition down. We will control
the party for the next ten years and there
is not a man who took part in the fight
against us who will get a nomination for
ONCE. We are going to reward our friends
now rather than placate our enemies"
The Illinois Central graders on the East
Omaha bottoms have become residents OF
Nebraska. This was done by the simple
expedient Of moving the boarding car across
the Iowa-Nebrask line about eleven days
before the election, SO that the men WHIT
board in those cars could say that they
had resided In East Omaha precinct ten
days before the election. an attempt
will be made to have them vote in East
Omaha precinct is currently reported and
steps will be taken to ascertain II they
are legal residents OF Nebraska before
they will be permitted to vote. while ar
rests will be immediate and prosecution
sure in case they attempt to vote illegally
Sam HUFF and Gus Harte we're check
ulhl0u III al aNNNAhRN ao ~ w 49,
latter for certain political work through the
agency Of the taxpayers OF Douglas county
at the last meeting Of the county commits
Bioners. HUI was employed early in the
campaign to secure Clontarf precinct fol
Dave Mercer. He secured a proxy on the
county central committee and later
brought the one vote Of the precinct II
for the nonresident congressman. A
the last meeting OF the county commits
sioners he hled a bill for county worl
done In Clontarf. The bill was peculiar
In hat It specified work done between
October 10 and October Or, while the
claimant swore TO the accuracy of thu
account on October 20. Ave days previous
20 the last day upon which 1t was alleged
that work was done. Gus Harte i'm.
mediately moved that the rules be sus,
pended and the bill be paid. The rulel
refused to suspend. as the majority o
the commissioners desired TO see the work
something which has not yet been seen.
The circular stage Of the campaign hai
been reached by the state committees o
the political parties and the forces at tn,
democratic and fusion headquarters at tn
Dellone hotel are sending out the 1na
circulars OF the campaign. In this circu
lar claim Is made that the state is safe q
the fusion parties in case a full vote 4
polled and precinct workers and other
are requested to agitate the Indifferent.
I'VE have no figures TO give out at thi
time" said Chairman Weber OF the popu
list committee. I'VE have a fairly com
plete poll OF the state, which we have no
had time TO tabulate, so we cannot tel
exactly what the present condition is. w
will get around to that late in the wee
Rnd by Sunday we will probably kno,
where we stand upon the face Of the pol
books"
The First ward furnishes a batch OF thre
unhndables today, men who voted at tn
last republican primary before the count
convention and eannot be discovered at tn
places at which they gave their residenc
at the time their vote was cast. The me
reported not found are Ed Brandt. VIII
voted from 1923 Martha street, and Par
Vowel, who voted from zoos South Sevent
street. The eligibility Of Brandt to vot