Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-02-26
POINTERS ON NEBRASKA POLITICS

Central City Nonpareil: The trouble with
Senator Willard is this: He is for tho
presidents rate bill ana his other policies
because the people whom he asks TO re-
elect him are for the same policies and
not because he thinks the policies are
right.
kearney Hub: The Aurora Republican
thinks that If Peter Mortensen or Norris
Brown want to be candidates for gov
ernor and senator they should get out
from under cover and say So But really,
why should they? Is it not just as well,
even though you are willing, to first let
the people indicate somewhat of their de-
sire? This plan is sometimes called hav-
ing the Office seek the man, and 1t is not
a bad plan by any manner Of means.
Wayne Herald: Some Of the newspapers
tell us that Peter Mortensen, the present
state treasurer and who aspires to be the
successor of John Mickey as governor Of
Nebraska, is absolutely owned and con-
trolled by the railroads and other allied
interests. We had alw~y VS. looked upon
Peter as pretty good, honest, square
old chap and are hardly prepared to believe
that he is owned or controlled by any per-
son or number of persons, but before max
ing any breaks along this line It would
be we'll to look the old fellow up and find
out just how he does stand. There are so
many strings to most of the fellows who
seek office that 1t is mighty difficult to tell
just which one to support at any time, and
under existing conditions more than ordi-
nary care should be exercised in this
important matter.
Waterloo Gazette: The republican papers
over the state, apparently with a few ex-
ceptions. have gone daft over the work Of
Norris Brown in the railroad cases which
recently were decided favorable TO the
state, in the matter of tax payments, and
want to send the doughty attorney general
to the United States senate. We have no
special interest in the senatorshp from an
editorial standpoint, although having our
personal preference. but there are two rea-
sons that appeal to us why Norris Brown
should remain where he is in the service
of the state. because of the good he has
accomplished and can accomplish, for there
is much vet to be done. The other reason
is because there are older men in Ne
braska from point OF residence and serv-
ice to the party and state, and who could
accomplish as much, no doubt, for the
people as a member of the upper house
of congress. Being an editor our preference
naturally runs to the species and we're
not so sure but that Editor Hammond of
Fremont would be our choice, especially
were Editor Rosewater of our own county
out of tho race. Yet in all candor, we must
say that the latter is the best equipped
man in the state for good work in the
directions which his inclinations lead him;
and that he is a great and good man is
demonstrated by the fact that like all
prophets he is not without honor in his
own home. But what is Omaha-only a
name-Edward Rosewater belongs to Ne
braska. Should 1t transpire, however, that
a democrat must be selected, why there
is Editor Bryan and Editor Hitchcock and
Editor Howard, all good men and great
democrats. Or IL neither, why Senator
Sorenson of the Examiner would I'LL the
bill and bring honor to the profesh. But
by all means let Norris Brown pound away
at the railroads-they need 1t.
Fremont Tribune: In a short time the
republican state central committee viii! be
called together for the purpose of selecting
a date and place for the next convention
and determining upon basis OF representa-
ton. 1t will also be called upon to desig-
nate the ofices for which candidates are
to be selected by that convention. In the
performance OF this latter duty will arise
the question as to whether the precedent
established two years ago with respect to
a senatorial candidate shall be repeated.
There were some interests that were by
no means satisfied with the procedure and
these same interests are not yet recon-
ciled to the plan. Occasionally 1t is heard
that the railroads are going to fight the
plan this year. They are admittedly less
| potential in the selection OF a senator by
the convention method than they are when
! 1t is left open to the legislature For this
| reason they naturally prefer the latter
plan How the state committee stands on
this question is not known. There are
those who believe a majority of the mem
beers are against It. 1t is quite clear that
II they are opposed TO the nominating plan
they are not in harmony with the majority
OF the people of this state, Of the repub-
licans OF Nebraska. And II the committee
| fails to recommend the nomination OF a
senator 1t will take the first step toward
! inviting defeat. II will be due notice to
| the people that the convention has been
manipulated against the interests of the
party and the public. This would not only
bring reproach upon every candidate named
by the convention for any office, but It
| would mean a handicap, perhaps a fatal
| one for every nominee for the legislature.
Public sentiment demands that the state
| central committee include a senator In its
| list of nominations and that the Burkett
experiment be continued as a fixed policy
of the party. Every republican paper in