The Goodland republic., 1906-01-26
THE YOUNGEST SENATOR.
Burkett OF NebrasIl,. Who Defeated
William J. Bryan for the TOga.

DALAEAE u -NEDAeA1EA--r - III A<AlACGAAIN
William j. Bryan for the TOga.
From the farm furrOw to the senate
is the somewhat remarkable record
Of the youngest member Of that body,
Elmer J. Burkett Of Nebraska
To be elected a senator is considered
a distinction worthy the ambition OF
any American youth; to be the baby
member Of the greatest Of legislative
bodies IS a higher distinction and es-
peciaIIy as in the case OF Mr. Burkett,
where the race was a hot one, and his
opponent an able and renowned an
tagonist, no other man than William
J. Bryan
Out in Nebraska, says Edgar c.
Snyder OF the Omaha Bee, who is IA
miIiar with state politics, there has
been in the past a number Of long
drawn out senatorial deadlOcks. The
people were not only dissatisfied with
conditions, but they were determined
20 stop it They concluded to direct
the action OF the legislature
The newspapers took up the matter
OF a popular nomination very ener-
getically, and the plan was suggested
I OF having a state convention nominate
a candidate for United States senator,
and instruct their legislative nominees
/ to vote for him when the legislature
met OF course, there was opposition
/ to the plan in certain quarters, for it
materially interfered with the desires
/ Of the bosses who had controlled
! Nebraska politics for many years, and
/ Burkett was not exactly TO their hk-
ing
The opposition, however, did not de-
/ yeIOp any great amount Of strength,
and Mr.. Burkett was unanimously de-
4 cIared the choice Of the republicans Of
I a., -+o4o F0-- ca~7oAor- 70 er7rcaad GaT7a-
tor Dietrich, and, Of course, republi-
can nominees for the legislature were
pledged to carry out the action Of the
state convention
! William Jennings Bryan was the
universally accepted candidate against
Burkett, supported by the democrats
pOpulists and free silver republicans.
The fight was thus narrowed down to
1 one between Mr.. Burkett and Mr..
Bryan for control Of the legislature
/ Which one would be senator was de-
pendent upon the political complexion
Of that body. The campaign, extend
ing over q period Of about five months
was exceedingly virile, and there was
| plenty OF uncertainty to make il in
teresting, and at times almost bitter
Mr.. Burkett, like his distinguished
opponent, is of even temperament
slow TO anger and plenteOus in thai
brand Of good nature that never wears
/ OF; and so whatever may have dis
| turbed others, it can be said that moth
ing harsh or bitter ever passed be
tween them personally.
ROosevelt's great popularity made
the state surely republican, 50 far a!
the electoral ticket was concerned, bu
; Mr. Bryan's popularity and his fore
! as a campaigner made the outcome a.
: to the complexion OF the Legislature
I one Of doubt and uncertainty. Then
too. there were local conditions tina
were not advantageous to the repubh
cans
These were the conditions confront
ing Mr.. Burkett when the campaign
Of 1904 opened. Mr- Bryan, brilliant
q shrewd and resOurceful as he IS, tool
advantage Of every mistake OF the re
= pubHcans, and he went into the cam
[ paign determined to elect a demo
e cratic legislature He strOve nightly
= he held meetings in almost every dis
/ trict; he completely covered the stat
e with a special train, and made frOT
t I'VE to eight rear-platfOrm speeches
{ day. arousing as he always does, grea
q 1 enthusiasm But 1Er- Burkett was ais
: over the state He made as man
n speeches as did his opponent and h
s Is a cOnvincer, and he visited ever
= portion OF the commonwealth
n Probably one Of Burkett's chief al
4 tributes is his genius for organization
u As a result OF the marshaling OF h
y forces, a legislature was elected wit
Il 4 every one OF the thirty-three membei
o in the senate a republican and Onl
% nine fusionists out Of one hundTe
.r members Of the house. The Iegi!
!. Iature met and in just six minut'
% elected Nj Burkett a senator