Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-01
FIGHTING RAILROAD CONTROL
winston Churchill, Novelist, Heads
Movement for Popular Rights
in New Hampshire.

The campaign waged in New Hampshire
by Rosecrans w. Pittsburg OF London
derry, the young and energetic editor of
the Manchester Union, in the interest OF
reforms In state government has grad
ually gained a foothold and the anti
railroad movement inaugurated by the
Lincoln Republican club, with Winston
Churchill, the novelist, as its guberna-
torial candidate, is daily assuming such
proportions as to threaten the overthrow
of the republican lobby II not the defeat.
of that party at the polls
When the Churchill boom was launched
some three weeks ago, the leaders in the
party were disposed to treat II lightly
It has. however. received the support OF
many Of the leading politicians, educators
and particists OF the state. "'
1t is rumored that the Churchill move
ment is backed primarily by william E.
Chandler. one of the most sagacious and
resourcefm politicians the state has ever
produced. Whether the movement orig
mated in the fertile mind of the former
senator or not, 1t is evident that the prin-
ciples enunciated in the platform Of the
club have his hearty support, for he has
been called repeatedly into the councils OF
the organization and has been for 30
years fighting for the supremacy OF Just
such principles ,ta
The leading issue put forth by the new
organization Is the noninterference of cor
porations, and especially the Boston &
Maine railroad, with state affairs. The
democratic party has for several years
fought out the elections, with this as a
leading plank in its platform, but has
been defeated. The question has been
fought out several times in the republi-
can conventions and once has triumphed,
In 1898, when all of the demands of the
anti-railroad leaders were acceded to- and
the principles which they advocated were
incorporated in the republican platform,
These planks in the platform were. how
ever, entirely ignored by the republican
majority. according to the claims Of the
Lincoln club, when the legislature assem-
bled in 1852 and no legislation for the re-
lief of the people was adopted.
Again. in 1900. 1t was an open secret thai
Henry Z. Burnham had the support Of the
railroads, while Senator William e. Chand'
Ter. his opponent. was opposed by those
interests. Mr.. Chandler received the sup
port Of less than one-fifth of the republi
can members OF the legislature. and no.
until the present campaign has there beer
an awakening from the apathy that fol
lowed.
The friends Of the new movement asser'
that the time has come when the wave Of
reform that has spread over the countr,
during the past few years should reacl
New Hampshire. They also assert that thu
/ place for agitation in the interest of th'
movement is the primaries OF the majortt,
party. With that end In view. they hav'
inaugurated a campaign of speaking anC
literature such as New Hampshire neve
has seen during an anti-convention period
Mr.. Churchill has visited many of In,
large centers OF population. and has an
nounced that before the close Of his cam
palgn he viii speak in every town OF i'm
portance in the state Everywhere he hal
been greeted with great crowds OF listeners
some undoubtedly coming out OF curiosity
but many showing an interest that prom
Uses him a considerable backing in tn
convention. His strength was estimates
until recently by those who follow politica
affairs in this state closely at from
twenty to thirty out OF the entire mem
bership OF 800 in the convention. Only
few of the primaries have been held. bu
he has succeeded in making showing 4
these far beyond the expectations of hi
friends. until now his opponents are con
ceding him fifty or more. and predicting
that unless something can be done Z
break the wave OF popular sentiment.
may hold the balance of power betwee
the so-called machine candidate, C1aud
II. Greenleaf. and the candidates for va
rious other elements of the party.-Ns,
York Commercial.