Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14


and the old-time domination of the railroad
interests, the newly elected United States
senator, Elmer j. Burkett played an impor-
tant part. In fact, it was he who struck
the note of revolt and led the fight which
resulted in the dissem bling and rout of the
bosses and the placing of the balance OF
power in the hands of the rank and file.
He was the figure in the limelight of an in
tensely dramatic situation. and just on the
eve of his assuming his new duties as SEN
ator he has appeared in role for him
that of fighter and leader
Railroads Controlled PARTY.
For many years the railroads of the state
have practically controlled the republican
party. Their domination had been so COM
plete and had been exercised so long with
impunity that it was an open secret Even
the rank and file had become so familiar
with the fact that 1t was CLOSED over as a
been faint rumblings of revolt at interya Is
in late years. yet the machine continued to
grind out its DEGREES and the people con-
tinued to ballot accordingly Scarcely any
candidate for any important state office
could pass muster and receive a nomina ton
unless he was approved by the railroad
ring, which had the power to say yea" and
nay and enforce its decree.
Some of the younger element in the party
in the past few years have become imbued
with the idea of reform in the organization :
methods and an indication of the growing
influence OF that idea was noted in the state
convention or year ago. which marked a
new departure in the selection of a United
States senator, when it declared with an
emphatic voice for the election of Mr. Bur
kett, who was then representative of the
second district.
The nomination of a candidate for Judge
or the state supreme court was the inn
portant business before the recent state
convention, and the work of the railroads
m i've,
didGtes, Duftie of Omaha and Ames of
Lincoln, between whom the corpora tons
had agreed to choose Charles B. I.etton
of Jefferson county was the choice of the
Independent delegates. AT the opening of
the convention there occurred the skirmish
of the real fight that was to follow when
the selection OF a permanent chairman OF
the meeting came up. The railroad element
won out. and Lieutenant Governor McGil-
ton was selected as permanent chairman
Agreement Between Two Candidates.
1t was generally understood that an
agreement had been made between Duffie
and Ames to the effect that the candidate
receiving the larger vote on the second
ballot should receive the solid strength of
both candidates ON the third ballot This
plan of procedure was entirely In line with
the oldtime methods of the party's, con-
ventions-when one candidate had finished
with a body of delegates he simply turned
them oven in toto to some other candi-
date.
On the second ballot 1t was shown that
Duffie was the stronger man, and the
AmeS faction prepared to swing to Duffie
the next ballot and present him with
the nomination But the bosses had for
gotten what sometimes happens to 1.-The
best laid plans of mice and men," They
were filled with the idea that the old
practices, like the brook, would go on AMI
on forever.
Bailoting for the third time was begun,
and the chairman of the Lancaster county
delegation, railroad supporter cast the
solid vote-siXty-six strong-for Duffie
Then there occurred one of the most dra-
matte incidents that has ever occurred in q
Nebraska political convention.
Intensely Dramatic Incident
Senator Burkett. who was delegate from
Lancaster county, stepped into the lime
light. He was not the Burkett the voters
used to know in the days when. as a can
didate for representative, he asked them In
dulcet tones and with pleasant words tt
vote for him for Congress. He was not the
young man with smiling face and humor-
ously twinkling eyes. seeking the line Of
least resistance in concentrating his politi
cal aspirations. He was new man. His
face was white, his eyes were blazing, there
WAS no smile on his countenance, and his
voice was surcharged with indignation ovel
the attempt of the ring-leaders to drive
him and his fellow delegates into the rail-
road pen like SO many cattle.
He had suddenly developed into q Lender
of the square deaf' faction, and as hs
challenged recognition from the chair h,
said.
81 am delegate from Lancaster county
! have q right TO cast my own vote and
demand a poll of the delegation
His words and manner produced sen.
| sation. A tumult instantly arose TIT
railroad delegates and leaders tried to his.
Burkett down. They shouted uniovely
words at him, the crowd snrged about him
| The enemy reared In anger But the Junior
| senator stood white and determined and hi.
/ courageous stand soon drew to him Other
| delegates of the same mind. including Rep
resentative Hinshaw. The Burkett faction
! x1t<d ~ fha es,rnFrt ~ fhafr fozdap n,