Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-11
MORTENSEN FOR GOVERNOR
Friend of Present Treasurer Announces His
Candidacy.
RAILROADS HAVE CssTeRED ON WESTON
Dodge County Man Says Former
Auditor for Governor and MiIIard
for Senator is the Rail-
road slate.
(From a star Correspondentl }


LINCOLN, Jan. 10 Especial )-Taking ad-
vantage Of his absence from the city, init
mate friends of State Treasurer Peter Nor
tensen this morning announced that he
would be candidate for governor and
that when the proper time comes Mr.. Nor
tenseh will himself make the official an
nouncement. The information was brought
from Grand Island by state officer who
had been with Mr.. Mortensen inspecting
the Grand Island Soldiers home. Mr.. Nor
tensen is still absent from the city.
While the name of the popular state
treasurer has been frequently mentioned in
connection with gubernatorial honors, Mr..
Mortensen has refused to commit himself
and he has given out the impression that
as long as John Wall and Senator Fries
were in the race he would under no cir
cumstances be a candidate. In view of
recent developments, however. II is be-
lieved the information brought to Lincoln
today is reliable. Senator Fries has said
he would gladly withdraw from the race
provided Mr. Mortensen would consent to
he a candidate and it has been reported
that Mr.. Wall also would get out of the
way of the treasurer Mortensen how
ever, while not denying that he would like
to be governor. will do nothing that would
affect the candidacy of Wall and Fries.
who live in the same county with him and
who stood by him in his candidacy for
state treasurer.
Mortensen willing to Run.
Senator Cady of Howard county was
here last week and urged Mr.. Mortensen to-
make the race and others have argued
with the state treasurer that he could have
the nomination for the asking Inasmuch
as the pressure has been so strong the
report that Mortensen had finally capitu-
lated to the wishes of his friends and con-
sented to get In the running is believed
around the state house.
Should the report be true that Weston has
been agreed upon by the railroads as their
candidate, friends of Mortensen say they
will force Mortensen into the race whether
he wants to run or not, as the issue then
would be fairly drawn between the rail-
roads and the people. Both Mortensen and
Weston made records as members of the
board OF assessment Mortensen being the
real factor in securing the increase OF the
railroad assessment and Weston at all
times representing that faction which was
opposed to an increase.
Railroads for Weston.
sent out Instructions to their men TO sup
port Charles Weston for governor and that
the Union Pacific and the Burlington have
sent out instructions to support Senator
biiliard for re-eiection. there Is In my mind
not the least doubt. That Miliard and
Weston have been decided upon as the
railroad candidates for these two high
offices I am positive. For some time
rumors to that effect have been current in
Dodge county and from the information
have received l believe the rumors to be
facts"
Thus did George L. Loomis of Fremont
express himself at the Lindell hotel last
night
What the democrats will do / do not
know, but l am positive that will not be
a candidate for governor and at this time
l feel certain that l never again will run
for office. i have never yet made a fight
for nomination and / never will, so
am safe in saying l will never again be
candidate for any Office. / understand that
A. c. Shallenbarger of Alma will be a can
ddate for governor and that George w
Berge would accept the nomination. | be-
lieve that II the democrats secure control
OF the legislature William ]. Bryan will be
chosen United States senator without op-
position should he be willing to accept the
Office.
Railroad Question Uppermost.
1.-The railroad question will be the issue
in the campaign and believe the men who
are elected, whether on the republican or
the democratic ticket. will be men who
are absolutely known to be in accord with
the policy of President Roosevelt. The
regulation OF railroad rates is now the lead
ing issue in the republican party and it
will result in that party being badly split
President Roosevelt will have the fight
OF his life with the senate, and this Is
going to split the republican party clear
down the line. This investigation of the
Panama canal was begun merely TO embar-
rass the president and everything possible
will be done to interfere with the con-
struction of the canal. OF course in this
the railroads will fight the president as
they will in his efforts to bring about the
regulation OF railroad rates.
''As far as Nebraska is concerned the
sentiment Is with the president and I be-
lieve the people are thoroughly in earnest
In