Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-24
OUR LETTER Box
Metcnife and Omaha poli,lc..


Bee: In this mornings issue of The Bee
find "one well known democrat" liber-
ally quoted with respect to the contest for
the democratic nomination for mayor OF
Omaha. From that interview l quote;
"R. l.. Metcalfe who might be thought
out of Omaha politics since his removal to
Lincoln is one OF the pushers behind the
Dahlman candidacy, He has an old grudge
against Ed p. Smith because the latter
several years ago blocked Metcalfe's hopes
of a congressional nomination by threat
ening to come out against him If Metcalfe
made bid for the place. Metcalfe some
time ago declared that IL Smith were can
didate he would come up to Omaha and
leave no stone unturned to whip him. He
is starting on his program beyond doubt.
Dahlmans statement that he will make
the race on his record as a Bryan demo-
! crat is just what might have been ex-
pected."
While | make due allowance for the TACT
that in the great game of politics The
/ Bees move is in that direction which will
contribute to disorder among the opposi-
ton. I feel that this wholly unfair refer
ence to myself should not go uncontra-
dicted
Will you. in spite of your anxiety to
create, or maintain. discord among Omaha
democrats, do me the justice to print an
| unequivocal disclaimer?
| l did not know that James c. Dahlman
was a candidate for mayor until read the
news In the Omaha newspapers.
Ed P. Smith, nor any other man, never
blocked Metcalfes hopes OF congress
sional nomination" This is true because
there has never been a time since l could
earn living newspaper man that I
would have accepted even a certificate Of
/ election to the lower house of congress.
The editor Of The Bee is in a position to
tell the uninitiated of the obstacles in the
way OF the newspaper man who aspires to
high political Office. l discovered long ago
that one way for the newspaper man to be
happy with the politicians Of his own party
is to throw away personal political amb-
ton My affection for the editor OF The
Bee is so p-seated-although perhaps
not well known as 1 would desre-that
regret he continues in the pursuit of
things which. according TO my experience,
will be denied him il denial rests within
the power of the politicians whom he has
faithfully served.
Referring again to The Bee clipping:
did not at any time or place declare that
| IF Smith were a candidate he Cd would
come to Omaha and leave no stone unturned
to whip him" I have not in any way. di-
rectly or indirectly interfered in the con-
test for the democratic nomination for
mayor of Omaha. l have never aspred to
rank as a politician, and l resent any effort
to put me IN that class
During the time I was editor OF a demo.
cratic newspaper in Omaha differences
grew up between certain politicians and
myself. These differences were, at times
aggravated by the tales of mutual friends
and-I may say-"mutual enemies" Even
then was charged with political activities
to which had no inclination. Taking 1t foI
granted-as my profound respect for The
Bee compels me to do-that the charge as
outlined above was not manufactured in
The Bee office 1t is simply in line with this
old time and foolish practice.
IL was the great regret of my life that il
was necessary for me to leave Omaha
have always loved the town, and in leaving
Omaha the one thing that gave me balm
in Gilead" was that 1 Kidding myself
of all connection with the petty auarrels
aud the cheap controversies which exist.
ing, among democratic politicians In that
town, have made impossible democratic vic
tory in Omaha's municipal affairs. Having
rid myself of that burden, I respectfully
protest against any effort-even so far al
| HllSleaulne newspaper reports are concerned
to drag me into the trays where men play
politics as children play marbles.
Every Nebraska democrat has an Interest
In Omaha's municipal campaign. We woult
all be glad to learn that democrat devoted
to our party's principles as william ]
Bryan has taught them had been elected
mayor of Omaha. But this desirable result
will never be attained unless the democrat.
of Omaha work together In an harmonious
way, concerned more in their party's bes
interests and determined more upon the adj
vancement of the public welfare. than they
are in the triumph of any particular in
dividual
! well understand that many will regarc
this as gratuitous advice; but when my
name has, without the slightest justifica
ton been dragged into this contest, | fee
that | am not entirely out of order when
| remind Omaha democrats that their petty
/ quarrels bode no good to the great cause
they are presumed to represent.
AT all events. II they must quarrel. omit
my name. l suffered under that yoke foi
many years. and. thank God, am now out
of 1t. RICHARD l.. METCALFE
nnEo F-.rs 40