The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-23
The Nebraska Independent

expressed fear that their action in
turning down Berge on purely techni-
cal grounds was a blunder that might
cost them many thousand votes that
heretofore had been loyal supporters
of fusion, and at this point a motion
was made that a committee be ap-
pointed to wait upon the populists and
invite them to name candidates for
the remaining positions on the ticket.
This motion finally prevailed after
much opposition expressed in terms
of great bitterness by some of the
Douglas county delegates who appar
emily cared less for the success of
the ticket than for the opportunity of
slapping in the face their former allies
the populists.
Democrats from Douglas county
scoffed the idea of making any over
lures to the populists, and demanded
to now why Mr.. Berge was not here
to speak to the democrats to which
Mr. Metcalfe of The Commoner re
piled: Il will tell you why he is not
here now. He'll be here all right.
Right now, while you are denouncing
him for not being democrat he is
over in the other hall begging and
pleading with the populists to endorse
your candidate for governor. That's
why he isn't here. He is better dem
ocrat than you are who are denouncing
him as a pOpulist. | want to tell you
that That is the kind of a democrat
Berge is, and / hope this convention
hope no man in this convention will
ever again denounce Berge for not be-
ing democrat"
The motion to choose a committee
to confer with the populists was car
ried and the question then arose who
had the nerve to face the outraged
populists who had waited twelve long
hours for the democrats to nominate
Mr. Berge in order that they might
endorse the whoe democratic ticket
and go home and elect the same. Mr..
Metcalfe voiced the true condition
when he said it would be all any dem
ocrat's life would be worth to face
that convention The convention chose
for it's conference committee to wait
upon the populists, DR.. P. l.. Hall, P.
E. McKillip and R. L. Metcalfe.
Mr.. Berge
After the convention had nominal
ed Shallenberger Mr. Berge was soon
surrounded by a number of his most
ardent friends and supporters in his
Headquarters at the Lindell. He sent
word to the populist convention that
he would join them in few moments,
requesting that no action be taken I'M
til he came When their chief APP
peared in their convention the scene
that ensued was indescribable. Many
of the grizzled veterans of reform
who had fought the battles for the
past ten years were in tears and gath
cred around their chieftain, begging
and imploring him to become their
candidate Mingled sorrow, disap-
pointment and anger was depicted up
on the countenances of the 600 dele
gates who had sat in their seats
twelve hours anxiously waiting for the
word that the democrats had nomi-
| mated Mr.. Berge for governor in order
that they might endorse his nomina-
| ton and the balance of the democratic
ticket and go home feeling that their
convention had been a success, and
| that genuine victory at the polls
was assured
The situation was a most trying one
for Mr.. Berge who arose and addressed
the convention, and in so doing as
tonished his friends and foes by
reaching a sublime height of unset
fish devotion to principle and loyalty
to friends seldom reached by man I'M
| der such trying circumstances. Mr..