Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-01

Three candidates are seeking the nom
nation for mayor on the republican
ticket; Broatcn, representing the lie
mand for a wide-open town; Benson,
representing the demand for regime
Of Puritanlcai law enforcement, and
Hennings. occupying the middle ground
Of decent and progressive government
by a sensible enforcement OF the law ac-
cording to varying circumstances as they
arise. Before thoughtful republicans
commit themselves by their ballots to
one or the other Of these candidates, it
will be we'll for them to look ahead and
figure on what may be expected to
happen after nomination.
II Benson should be the successful
caniiCate a large part and perhaps all
Of the so-called liberal element would
unquest.onably go over to his demo-
cratic opponent. The fact that he ran
last time as an independent against the
regular republican nominee would fur
nish those so disposed with an excuse
for refusing to support Benson. 1t
would become a question then whether
he could offset the republican detection
with democratic gains and whether the
democrats who voted for Benson as an
Independent when It was hopeless for
their own candidate would not be driven
back into their party lines with possible
success for democratic candidate.
II Broatch should be nominated, the
more respectable element Of the party
would be antagonized and alienated. If
Omaha were doomed to an administra-
ton of license and RIGHTEOUSNESS, many
of them would prefer to have it come
under democratic mayor to save the re-
publican party from the odium. They
would not vote for Broatch. They might
not vote at all. They would vote for a
decent democrat. if the democrats gave
them an opportunity to do So They
might even vote for an Objectionable
but uptried democrat, convinced that he
could be no worse than Broatch, who
has been tried to their sorrow.
II, however. Hennings should be the
candidate, there would be no good rea-
son why he should not receive the sub
stantial and undivided support Of the
whole party, which would mean an cleo.
ton hands down. The Benson followers
would surely prefer Hennings to Broatch
and the Broatch followers would prefer
Hennings to Benson-in a word, Hen.
nlngs would satisfy the greater number
Of Omaha republicans in a degree much
more than either of the other two com
petitors.
One other feature of the afternoon
ination campaign deserves attention al
this time 1t is the effect Of a distaste
full nomination for mayor upon the nom
nations for other offices. The detection
of any considerable number of repub
licans from the head of the ticket would
JeopardiZe seriously all the republican
! candidates for minor Offices. With the
voting machine in use republicans
NiNNh away iIOlu lllelT HdlOTHllN can
didate would. to make sure of no mis-
take, be inclined to pull the lever for .
straight democratic vote with later cor
rections for special candidate of theil
choice. Every one knows that sucl
voting would help the democrats al
along the line and might result disas
trously TO the whole republican ticket
Notwithstanding the fact that Omaha /,
nominally republican by more than 2,OOC
majority. In a word, it is to the interes
of every republican candidate for mu
nicipal office below mayor to have tn,
ticket headed by a candidate for mayor
who will hold the united republican
strength and thus insure the machin,
recording Of straight republican votes.
II Omaha republicans want to- max,
the election easy and SAFE they will
rally to the support of Hennings wher
they cast their ballots at the primary.
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