Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-27
PUSH METCALFE FOR PLACE
Democrats Try to sidetraok Barn
aoles" in Race for Governor.
BRYAN TICKET CLEAR THROUGH
Latest Development IL 90 sidetrack
Dnhlman, shnlIenberger and
BerEe for Associate Editor
of CommOner.
CFrom a staff Correspondent

LINCOLN, July Observation-Disclosures l..
Metcalfe for governor. Out Of the race
George Washington Berge. A. G. shallen-
berger and James c. Dahlman.
The above is the program Of some Of the
states most prominent democrats. It is
their plan Of escaping a fight over the
gubernatorial nomination, The scheme has
been worked UP quietly and only an ink
ling Of it got out today. The story has
been verified and is true.
It Is necessary in order to make the
scheme work, first, OF course, to get the
three avowed candidates In a frame Of mind
which will permit them to quit the race.
shallenberger is reported to be willing to
withdraw. or rather keep out II the big
guns will agree to stand for Metcalfe
unanimously. Berge. a prominent democrat
said, believes he is the amounted one for
the office and he will oriy tear loose after
a Jar. Dahlman has not yet got his papers
to the office Of the secretary Of state and
1t is the belief here that he may be In
duced to stay out of the running.
Democrats In a stew.
The democrats have come to the conclu-
sion that they cannot win with either
Berge. Dahlman or Shallenberger. h
three were referred to today by a democrat
as party ~barnacles," who should get out
Of the way and let some man run who
can get the support Of the party and
who has not always been a candidate for
office.
Metcalfe, they figure, is the man. They
believe he will appeal to the rank and
file of the party, for he has never asked
for office. but has always been a willing
worker to help out the nominees Of his
party.
That Mr.. Bryan would look with favor
on the Metcalfe nomination and the
peaceful ending of the promised fight
there is not the least doubt. Practically
all Of the party leaders are under obliga-
lions to Metcalfe and those who are work.
ing up the plan believe the three candi-
dates for the office should get out now.
A committed no doubt will be appointed
to request the three men to withdraw and
II one man withdraws in favor of MetcaIfc
this democrat sald II would practically
end the chances of the other two to win
out.
Fenr of Dahlman.
AS a matter of fact, this sudden turn
to Metcalfe had it's inspiration in the
fear that Dahlman will land the noml-
nation. Dahlman mas risen up as u
ghost in the path OF Bryan success and
the intimate friends of the presidential
Will turn heaven and earth to
keep him off the ticket. That Dahlman Is
looming up stronger than they expected
these democrats do not deny, but they be-
lieve a fight led by Dahlman on one
side and Sheldon on the other would be
no fight at all. They say there is no
hope to win with Dahlman on the ticket.
Shallenberger left Omaha in an ugly
of mind and is so put out at Dahl
mans action in insisting on running that
If the proposed compromise on
cannot be made, he may with
draw and work for Berge as much as he
would dislike to see the former pop NOM.
How MetcaIfe Feels.
That Metcalfe could be induced to take
a nomination without a fight. is true, 1t Is
Heretofore the associate editor
Of the Commorer has kept out Of run
ming for office but now his books are
bringing In sufficient revenue TO make
work merely an incident, and If the party
calls there is no doubt he will be willing
TO be a sacrifice.
"A whole lot of the party '~barnacles'
will oppose the compromise plan OF nom
mating Metcalfe," said a Lincoln demo-
rat, who is engineering the deal, but
we will bring it to pass just the same,