The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-19

on the brewers and the saloon
keepers of the state has been de-
clared by leaders of the republican
party of Nebraska, among them
Governor Sheldon, who hold the
brewing interests, assisted by the
keepers of drinking places, respon-
sible for the defeat of the governor
at the recent election. Regarded
as the strongest man on the ticket,
with an excellent record during his
two years administration, Gov
ernor Sheldon was beaten by a
plurality double that Of Mr.. Bryan
over Judge Taft Ten days before
election, when the tide seemed to
be turning slightly toward the DEM
ocrats. the confident prediction was
made by nearly every one familiar
with the politics OF the state that,
although Mr.. Bryan would carry
Nebraska, the governor could
count upon victory The predic-
ton was correct so far as it con-
cerned the loyalty of the home
folks" to the nominee for president.
but Governor Sheldon, who was
counted upon to lead all the ticket,
was the lowest man upon 1t, and
sees majority of his party asso-
ciates elected The result was a
surprise to not only the campaign
managers of all the parties, but
completely upset the calculations
of candidates of both the leading
! tickets.
1t was known that the railroad
influence was unfriendly to Gov
ernor Sheldon. but the railroad
men seem not to have taken very
important part, Mr.. Sheldon run
ming well with the others in the
railroad strongholds. ItNwas In the
centers where the liquor interests
are strong that his falling off is
chiefly noted. and in some of these
places he was fairly slaughtered. In
Lancaster OLincoln), where the
temperance sentiment is pro-
nounced and which all but abol-
ished the saloons at the spring
election, Mr.. Bryan beat Judge Taft
by 100 votes. but Governor Shell
don ran ahead of Bryan 142 votes,
and ahead of any candidate on the
republican ticket by many votes.
Instances of this kind are seen all
over the state. and the governor
friends have reached the conclu-
sion that 1t was the liquor element
alone that encompassed his polit.
ical defeat.
Governor Sheldon's SHINING in
the eyes of the saloons. say his
supporters, was his declaration in
favor OF county option, and his pre-
election promise that If a county
option bill was passed by the legis-
lature he would approve it. These
declarations during the campaign
were generally applauded, and even
the saloon men and brewers did
not appear to resent strongly his
stand.
But the quiet and effective effort
to defeat him came out but a few
days before election, too late for
the county option forces to rally
to his support. Men OF influence
were sent over the state. particu.
larly where the foreign voters pre-
dominate. and argued the personal
rights propaganda with success. At
the same time thousands of circu-
lars We're mailed from source not
yet wholly disclosed, urging partic'
ularly the defeat of Sheldon. on
the republican ticket.
The campaign against the COVE.
ernor appears to have been d.
rected on lesser scale against leg
islatlve candidates who were
known to favor county option, In
a majority of cases, though not in
all, the supporters of option were
republicans, ana the democrats,
partly In consequence, will control
both houses at the next session by
a vote estimated at present at 2 to
1, In the same way democrats In
districts usually democratic were
defeated by their republican oppo-
nenest who refused to commit
themselves. In Lincoln the county
optionists were elected to a man.
the result being four republicans
and three democrats.
The county option cause, how.
ever, is thought to be doomed for
two years, as no one believes, in
the face OF political upheaval,
that anything. like majority can
be mustered In the legislature In
It's favor. A bill. nevertheless, will
be introduced. and II will hardly be