Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-21
NEBRASKA FIGHTING GROUND
Fierce Struggle in Prospect for
Bryan's Home State.
INDIANA WRITER FEELS PULSE
Basis of Claim. of Republicans and
DemOcrats-RefOrm Record Of
state Administration-Lin-
coin and Dollar Mafk.

James p. Harnaday, staff correspondent
81 the Indianapolis News, felt the politi-
cal pulse IN Nebraska on his return from
the Denver convention. Writing under an
Omaha date, he says:
Nebraska will be the fighting ground in
this years national campaign. Bryan is
confident he will have its eight electoral
votes. The republicans. under the leader
ship of Governor George L. Sheldon, and
Victor Rosewster. the energetic young
member Of the national committee, are
just as confident Taft will carry the state.
After hearing what each side has to say
one must conclude that the result In the
state will be in doubt until the votes are
counted. The democrats ard populists,
working together. gave Bryan the state by
1855, in 1896. Four years later he lost the
state by 1882, and four years ago Roosevelt
carried It by S6,6s2.
The last show Of strength between the
two parties was two years ago, when
Mr.. Sheldon was elected governor by 1913
plurality. These figures show how uncer-
tain an election in this state is. Party
fealty rests lightly on the voters. They
have learned to vote for what seems to
them to be to their interests. II, before
election day, they decide that the election
VI Ii III "DhAh bb btNAtA AOl Alt III ,
than the election of Taft, they will give
him the state by a large plurality; IL
on the other hand, their final decision is
that It is to the country's interest and
to their interest to elect Taft, they will
not let state pride or anything else stant
In the way OF giving the state to the repub.
lican nominee.
A Commercial Mans Views.
n.4.ta. - .,tz ,o,..V,- 49,. ao,n,,
In which Lincoln is located, there is ~
this time. On the train was a CONNER
= cial traveller, who summed up the situation
in this way: IT make nearly every city
and town in Nebraska. outside Of Lin
coin you seldom hear politics mentioned
unless you bring up the subject. A
nearly as l can get at it, the people are no
much interested one way or the other
They say to me: Taft and Bryan ar,
both good men. It does not make mucl
difference which is elected. Taft is no
likely to push any of the Roosevelt re
form movements very hard If he gets in
and Bryan can not be expected to accomp
lish much II he wins because he will hav,
a republican senate to contend with On
thing has impressed me-. No one seem
to be afraid OF Bryan now. l have no
heard a man say he is now afraid to trus
Bryan in the white house. My guess I
that with the voters so unconcerned abou
which man is elected. 1t will be Difficult
for the politicians to stir up a great dea
of interest in the campaign"
Home County for Bryan.
There is no doubt that Lincoln and Ian
caster county, the home city and HON
county of the nominee-are rampant 70
Mr.. Bryan. II one judged the sentimen
of the entire state by the drift in Lin
coin he would be disposed to say tina
Bryan will carry the state by an enor
nous plurality. The Lancaster count,
people have come 10 appreciate Bryan. A
one OF the nominees friends in Lincoll
said: He is coming into his own her
at home. Our people want to see hin
president, and will vote for him prett
generally, regardless of former party al
filiations."
This seems to be the fact. Half the re
publicans in Lincoln have Bryan picture
in their windows. and say they intend .
vote for him. But many Of them wi
change their minds said an officer of tn
republican state committee. Walt until tn
campaign opens and the democrats get {
calling the republicans lars and other