Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-19
NEBRASKA POLITICS
Its Probable Representation
in Congress.
ONE DEMOCRAT
IN PRESENT HOUSE MAY BE DE-
FEATED.
Outlook in ALI the Other Districts Good
for Success of the Republic
can Candidates.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Evening star.
OMAHA, October II, 1904.
Nebraska's representation in the present
Congress Is by five republicans and one
democrat. In the Fifty-seventh Congress
it was represented by two republicans and
four fusion democrats or populists. and TINS
ratio had been established and continued
throughout the period from the financial de-
preston of 1898, which gave such impetus
to the populist party which formed the
backbone of the fusion combination with
the democrats and silver republicans The
redemption Of Nebraska under the banner
of Mckinley in 1900 that carried the state
into the republican column again. SO far as
presidential electors, governor. state off,
GERS and legislature was concerned, still
left the majority Of the congressional oele-
cation in the hands of the opposition. put
by very narrow margins in two OF the olS-
tricts. In 1902 the state went alarmlngly
republican, and would have sent solid
republican delegation to Washington were
1t not for the personal diStaStefuineSS OF
Representative Mercer, who was beaten IN
the second district by revolt OF republ1-
cans. who voted for Hitchcock, his demo-
cratic opponent.
All of the present republican representa-
tiyes have been renominated this year. four
of them standing for second terms, namely,
Mccarthy in the third district Hlnshaw IN
the fourth district, Norris in the fifth dis
trict and Kimkaid in the sixth district.
Burkett in the first district has been nomi-
mated for a fourth term, having been elected
and reelected successfully three times with
steadily increased majOrities. In the second
district a new candidate has been nominated
in the person of John L. Kennedy of Omaha.
First District Conceded to Burkett.
Taking up the districts in their order, 1t
will be found that the first district Is prac-
tically conceded to Mr.. Burkett, the re-
publican nominee. Mr.. 3urkett's plurality
two years ago was nearly 5000, or to be
more exact, 4.931. He had been member
of the legislature before he went to Con-
gress and on his transfer from the legisla-
ture of the state to that of the nation he
seems to have grown in breadth of view
and popularity. His position on the appro-
priations committee and his steadfast at
tention to the smallest wants of his con-
stituents are together combined to increase
his influence at home
Opposed to him Is q young lawyer, Hugh
La Master, nominated by the democrats and
Endorsed by the populists, but entirely with
out political experience 1t is doubtful
whether La Master can poll the full fusion
strength, and 1t is safe to say that Bur-
ketts majority would be still larger than
1t was two years ago were 1t not for the
complication that has arisen from his can
didacy at the same time for United States
senator. Whether this will have any effect
at all Is uncertain. Mr.. Burkett's re-elec-
ton Is safe, although his majority may
be slightly reduced.
Working for the Second District.
Hitchcock, the lone democrat, Is seeking
reelection. He has given no offense during
his term In Congress. although as a minori-
ty member he has accomplished little or
nothing. He is chief proprietor Of the
democratic organ, whose editor is stanchly
committed to Bryan, while Hitchcock, as
proprietor. committed himself early to the
~ nrlyn Ln- tod <Lo
anomaly, therefore, of favoring Parker in
person and opposing him through his
paper, which naturally failed to satisfy
either of the democratic factions.
The republican nominee in the second dis
trlct, John L. Kennedy, is a popular young
attorney. He was on the Mckinley cleo
toral ticket four years ago, and helped ma
terially in carrying the state at that time
He won his nomination in a spirited fight at
direct primary, the first ever held in the
state for the nomination of a representa-
tive. In which he secured clear majority
over four competitors. The district Is nor
maily republican by from 1000 to 1,SOO,
and the most conservative observers ex-
pect Mr.. Kennedy to win with a substan-
tial margin. The socialists have ticket in
the field. and will probably poll larger
WIG 'Aaii ~SoAA' .a44
The Closest Contest in the Third.
The third Nebraska district is claimed by
both political parties. and both concede
that 1t presents the closest contest of all.
Representative Mccarthy however, is
wasting no time, but is making a very close
canvass. His majority two years ago was
geo. and he knows that he has to work
hard in order to hold his own. He was
twice elected to the legislature previous to
his promotion to Congress, and is not only
used to campaigning, but familiar with the
people and conditions of his district to a
greater degree than any other man. Against
MN Is + {. McKfllip. democratic lawyer
NJ nci1 npn Ia
graduate of Harvard. McKillip has moth
ing In the way of public service to COM
mend him, but he seems to have been
picked out because of his personal activity
and apparent willingness to chip in a good
campaign contribution to promote his am
bltlons. He has been on the Jump ever
since his double nomination by democrats
and popusts which by the way was nro
cured previous to the national conventions
and thus spared him the embarrassment
that would otherwise have been entailed in
trying to dodge between the Scylla of Par
ker and the Charybdis of Watson full
vote Will favor republican success in this
district, although it must be placed in the
doubtful column
Hinshaw Sure of Reelection.
The fourth district is sure to return the
present republican representative, Edmund
H. Hfnshaw. He was only one short of
1000 majority when he was elected two
years ago, and at that time he ran against
the then representative, w. L. Stark, who
was supposed to be the strongest man the
iusionists could put up. Stark could have
mad the nomination again this year, but he
preferred TO Keep out of the race, and the
democrats and populists united upon
Charies Gilbert, young attorney residing
at York. Gilbert Is trading not only upon
his own political capital but also upon
the popularity Of his brother, who at one
time was lieutenant governor. but all re-
ports from the fourth district are to the
effect that he is making little Roadway
representative Hinshaw, on the other hand.
Is Keeping In close touch with his people,
who credit him with much good work in
the way of extending the rural free delivery
ana looking after the interests of old SOL
diers. who are largely represented in that
section.
Fifth District Doubtful.
The fifth district was won by the republi-
cans two years ago by the narrow plu-
rality of PSI for the present representative,
Judge G. w. Norris. Any district carried
by so small a vote is properly to be con-
sldered a doubtful district. but the condi-
tons all favor the return of Judge Norris
with an increased majority. The Judge de-
feated Representative Shallenberger two
years ago, who is accounted by the demo-
Gratis and populists to be their most effec-
tive vote getter in that district Shallenher-