The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1908-01-31
OAHLAAN MAKES DENIAL
OMAHA COWBOY MAYOR SAYS HE
WASN'T DRUNK.
WASN'T EVEN OUT OF ORDER
oahlman Says Story From Sioux City
Was congratulations Chairman
labored Under Mistaken Impression
That He Was a South Dakotan.


That He Was a South Dakotan.
Omaha, Neb Jan. 24.-Special to
The News: Mayor James Dahlman
of Omaha today declared that the re-
port of the Sioux City waterways con.
gress episode in which he figured, had
been grossly exaggerated
He denied that he was intoxicated
or that he did anything ungentlemanly
or was out of order.
He said the chairman made errors
thinking he was from South Dakota,
| with the result that a number of dele
gates from the state precipitated the
trouble by insisting that he sit down.
Sioux City, Jan. "a. - Mayor Jim
Dahlman, OF Omaha, made his speech
yesterday afternoon-that is, he tried
10 make it.
The cowboy mayor was on the list
OF notables who were down for ad-
dresses at the doubleheader banquet
of the Missouri River Navigation con.
gress Wednesday night, but he failed
TO arrive in time for the banquet.
The far famed burgomaster endeay-
ored to make a few brief remarks at
the closing session of the congress at
the New Grand theater yesterday af-
ternoon, with the result that he was
elected from the convention upon de-
mand of the assemblage.
Kisses, cat calls, stamping of feet |
and loud cries of Put him Quit"
drowned the thick accents of the man |
from down the river when he endeav-
ored to present some of his perfumed |
opinions.
Il want TO say right here that / |
represent the people of Nebraska"
came in an unsteady voice as Dahlman
rose to his feet. 1t was evident that
the mayor during his sojourn in Sioux
City had not devoted his attention ex-
clusively to waterways.
The audience got restless.
Il want to say right here that
have something to say about this mat
ter" repeated Omaha's mayor. Let
me tell you something. l have some
thing to tell you. l know something
about this"
Difficulty of Navigation.
Thereupon he proceeded to illustrate
some OF the difficulties of navigation
and advanced few steps down the
aisle, grasping the seats on either side
as he went.
BY this time the audience had dis
covered the truth. Dahlman was for
water-in the river,
The audience was more than rest.
less.
I'VE are ready to help fix the Mis-
souri, river, and want to see it done"
declared Mayor Dahlman, "but want
to tell you that what you have got to
do is to go down to Washington and
see Joe Cannon and Allison and all
those other fellows"
A noisy pounding of shoe leather
sounded from one end of the room
and was taken up by other impatient
delegates till the voice from Nebraska
was drowned in racket. Remarks
of protest came from various members
not respectful Of the dignity of the
chief executive of so large and i'm
portant a city.
DahIman Held Floor.
One man arose to a point of order.
Others seconded his point loudly. The
confusion grew as Kisses were added
to the stamping. But Dahlman held
the floor.
Gov. Burke tried to make himself
audible above the din.
THE gentleman from Nebraska is
out OF order" shouted the chairman.
Put him Quit" came in vociferous
chorus from an upper box
"Sit down." and "Shut up!" re-
sounded from all corners of the room.
Il won't sit down." called Dahlman
IN as loud voice as he could muster.
Come on and put me out! l am here
to talk, and am going to talk"
And he began to remove his coat. s
The demand that the speaker be put
out was repeated time and again.
rs there sergeant at arms in the G
house? inquired Gov. Burke, trying
to make his voice heard above the j
confusion. as there a sergeant at b
arms in the house?" he repeated.
Dilley to the Rescue. @
The call of Sheriff Dilley!" was il
taken up on all sides.
The sheriff was the official sergeant
at arms Of the congress.
That rotund official finally elbowed
through the crowd and made his way
to Mayor Dahlman, none Of the
Nebraska delegates interfering. He 7
took the explosive Mr.. Dahlman by the b
arm and that worthy, with but little ]
objection, gathered up his coat and \
hat and was personally conducted to Il
he door by the officer. {,
Later in the proceedings. after the e
report of the committee and the mat n
,er of how the president should be il
chosen were disposed of, Gov. Burke, Ii
n justice to Omaha's mayor said: 81 t,
will hnar M | O