The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-22
NEBRASKA
NEBRASKA POLITICS
Fusion Is Dead There, organs Nose
Isin the Air and the Democrats
Despondent.
Meanwhile the Populist Party Is Re-
turning to It's Original
Elements.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Lincoln, Neb., July 22.-To the casual
observer the fall campaign in Nebraska
will appear to be a dreary struggle devoid
of interest but the experienced politician
knows better. 1t will be fierce in the ex-
IRENE, but the turmoil will be almost
wholly between factions Of the republican
party.
). Fusion is practically a. thing of the past.
w. J. Bryan Is devoting his attention to
national matters and the leaders in Ne
braska politics to whom he entrusted the
party machinery have proven incom-
petent for SO great a trust. The free silver
republican party is dead. The populist
party is gradually disintegrating into So
cialists, republicans and democrats.
The republicans have made steady gains
and the margin is safe as far as attacks
from without are concerned. The mi
nority party is in debt and disorganized.
There is no campaign fund and no posi-
bility of raising one.
The contest will be conferred within the
republican ranks where great interests are
at work and old time factions organizing
for the conflict.
The fight naturally divides along the line
of the Hill-Harriman railroad lines.
Years ago the Union Pacific landed John
M. Thurston in the United States senate,
after long and stubborn struggle. Since
then the dominant faction in state poll
tics has been the Burlington and for ten
years its sway has been undisputed. Uh-
der the direction Of the Burlington poll
ticians, the state was retrieved from Flu
sionism.
But now the Union Pacific, the North
Western and the Rock Island forces have
rallied. The organization of the legisla-
ture Of the last session of the legislature
was a compromise between the North
Platte, the Union Pacific territory, and
10 Lott Devil
Discord and strife were manifested al
thru the session and the house and senate
frequently disagreed.
At the recent convention held in Lam
caster county, the Burlington leaders un.
masked their batteries. Judge J. B
Barnes of Norfolk was indorsed for su
preme judge and. it was indicated that {
| regent might also be named from the sam.
| section of the country. The choice o
Judge Barnes will undoubtedly be mad,
unanimous when the convention meets il
Lincoln, Aug. IS. T8F = ~
All this is the clearer 1naneuvering o
the South Platte men to gain the advan
tage in the senatorial contest of 1904
| They will then insist CHAT the North Plat
| country has been recognized and the Soutl
| Platte with forty-five of the 1873 member
| of the legislature and more than half o
| the approximate republican majority Wi
| stand for South Platte man.
Senator DIETRICH of Hastings, Congress
man E. J. Burkett of Lincoln and J. p. A
Black of Bloomington, are in excellen
strategic position. Mr.. DIETRICH will I'm
doubtedly have opposition from the othe
two and the Union Pacific men are credit
ed with a desire to make raid and cap
ture the senatorship for an aspirant
northwest Nebraska and thus. establis
3 the old time Union Pacific supremacy.
I The Burlington men are on the aler
and this is the cause Of the gallant after
you-my -dear-Alphonse attitude of tn
) South Platte men on the judgeship Sques
ton.