The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-09
BOTH PARTIES CLAIM
VICTORY IN NEBRASKA
Claim Bureaus Are Working Northumberland Pros
perity Is Big Aid to Republicans, But Guar
antee Plank Is Popular Issue.
By JOHN SNURE.

LINCOLN, Neb., oct. s-PoliticaI
prophets and Presidential sOOthsayeTs.
anxious 20 make a reputation for them
selves in this campaign. will do we'll 70
steer clear OF the State OF Nebraska. 1t
is too close State to b. healthy and
comfortable for the forecs ster.
The claim bureaus of the Republicans
and of the Democrats are working over
time here, and each one IS coioring his
prediction with hope. Tie Republican
claims are shade the stronger. They
are saying that Taft will get the Ne
: braska electoral ticket of eight votes by
about 1900 plurality. The Democrats
are putting Bryans plurality at from
10000 TO 1900. Republican predictions
are that Gov. George L. Sheldon Will
carry the State BY a larger figure than
TAFT. From 5000 10 $1,000 is an average
estimate. While the Democrats by no
means acknowledge that sheldon Will
be reelected governor. they do admit
that Sheldon has great strength. and
that the chances are in mis- favor.
This being the home State Of the Peer
less Leader. II is the fashion for many
persons who do not know about condi-
tiOns in Nebraska 10 assume that MI
Bryan has better prospects than Mr.
I
however, is not the case. Nebraska is
anybody's State as it stands today. II
is doubtful Judge Tlfts chances are
slightly better than Bryan's with re-
spect to certain phases Of the situation.
Nature has smiled on Nebraska this
year and Mr.. Bryan will have no easy
task 10 compete. despite his captivating
oratory. The Nebraska agriculJuralist
viii not be won readily.
Few Unemployed.
Moreover. there are not many Unem-
pioyed In Nebraska. Not only are the
farmers at the height OF prosperity, but
in Omaha and the large cities and
towns, there are few men out Of work
I The enormous crops have made bust
ness for the railroads. Last spring. the
Union Pacific railroad reduced its force,
but the men let out at that time have
been taken back
II Mr.. Bryan loses his own State he
can lay the blame on the pervading
presence Of prosperity and on the alb
! sence Of the spirit Of discomfort No
where in the United States Is there
such prosperity as Is now visible in the
valley Of the Missouri and il is with
out doubt the biggest factor In the
political situation
Another great aid 20 the Republicans
in Nebraska in this campaign is found
in the record Of Governor George L.
Sheldon, who has been nominated for
another term. Sheldon. a young farmer
lawyer. has accomplished so much in
his first term that It Is not easy TO see
how the Stale can turn him down for
reelection. It is conceded everywhere
1 that he Will run ahead of Taft. Con
/ servative estimates are that he viii
/ have 1900 votes more than tie Repub-
/ lican Presidential ticket. II is quite pos
sible that Sheldon viii carry :hN state
and that Bryan will get the electoral
ticket. Scarcely any governor in the
country has a better record than Shell
don. Fortune has come TO his aid to an
unusual degree. The fruitiOn Of years
Of reform efforts I'm the State has come
| in his administration and he is getting
the credit of much hard work for re-