Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-02-24


Jefterson OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. IA
Platte .....,...... 10
Total uninstructed. d............... AZ
Uninstructed for Taft. ..... %
Uninstruoted scattering. ....... 10
This table gives graphic view of what
has been done in the preliminaries for the
coming state convention of Nebraska re-
publicans, which is to meet at Omaha
March 12.
Taft is far in the lead and bids fair to
keep up the lead to the end The conven-
tion will be made UP of 925 accredited dele
gates from ninety counties in the state. OF
these go delegates have already been
chosen, being resrly third of the conven-
tion and representing fifteen counties. CIV
ing Mr.. Taft 22S of them.
The Nebraska situation is even better
than that from the standpoint of Mr.. Taft
because, in addition to these fifteen coun-
ties, ten more counties have already held
caucuses or primaries for county conven-
tions that are to come off this week, and
these ten counties by the vote Of popular
preference expressed are sure to give him
at least 100 more delegates.
The La Toilette boom has collapsed COM
pletely and the La Toilette boosters are
turning their entire time and attention to
an effort TO resurrect the Roosevelt third
term movement on the basis of what they
accomplished in Lancaster. which. however,
stands alone as the only county which has
chosen delegates in conformity with their
plan of operations. 1t is quite probable
that two or three more counties will be
covered up with Roosevelt resolutions to
keep them away from Taft, but the repub
licans generally seem T. be seeing through
! the game of the antls and refuse to be in
weighed into it. The outspoken attitude OF
Governor Sheldon in the strong speech he
delivered TO the Cass county convention has
unquestionably had much to do in confirm
ing the steadfastness of Nebraska for Taft,
although the little bunch of Lincoln mall
contents are continuing to flood the state
with circulars appealing for votes for a
third term nomination for the president
The primaries for presidential popular
preference votes held during the last week
were everywhere disappointing far as
the number of voters participating is con-
! cerned. The young blizzard which swept
over most OF Nebraska, interfered seri-
ously with the primaries, and in many in
stances forced their complete abandonment.
In jefferson county, for example, only
eleven precincts out OF eighteen held regu-
lar primaries, and the returns were so dis
proportionate that the county convention
simply commissioned an uninstructed dele
cation to represent Jefferson county in the
state convention. The biggest turnout al
any primary has not been up TO % per
cent Of the number of republicans entitled
to vote. Even in Lancaster county, where
they pulled out in round numbers 1900
votes as the result OF hotly contested
fight, the total was ridiculously low in
view Of the fact that last year $500 republi-
cans in Lancaster county recorded them
selves in the primary election, being even
more than subsequently voted there for
the republican nominee at the regular cleo
tion.
The political forecasters are sighting
trouble in several congressional districts.
Lincoln papers claim that Congressman
Pollard will have to fight for a renomina-
tlon against George e. Toby, former pri-
vate secretary to Senator Burkett and
Ned" Brown, member OF the Lancaster
delegation in the legislature There are
no signs, however. of activity on the part
Of the congressional aspirants in the First
district as yet.
In the Second district, which is the only
one now represented by democrat, a sharp
contest is certain. with quite a number Of
entries.
In the Third district Congressman Boyd
will seek reelection His political enc
mics have been trying to get former Con-
gresham Mccarthy, whom he beat out
to try again. but Mr.. Mccarthy has re-
mained quiescent 10 date
The Fourth district is klready witnessing
fireworks. State Senator Aldrich OF But
Ter county, has taken off his coat and is
going after Congressman Hinshaw's Job
in earnest, with the support Of a lot of
Fourth district papers. A sample OF his
campaign is to be found in this extract
| from the Ulysses Dispatch, which is only
the first part Of an article which contains
a lot more like It.:
Nobody cares TO throw any rocks at Com
gresham Hinshaw. He is a genial soul,
and personally. we like him, though with
three terms to his credit he should step
aside; for man Of his mediocre ability
he has already had more than he is en-
titled to- And the district has plenty OF
men who are away ahead Of him in point
or ability, and none OF his boomers will
presume for a moment TO gainsay Il. One
OF these men Is State Senator Aidrich.
shaw In congress any longer? Why should
| he have cinch on the office? He opposed
Hainer himself for a denomination on the
ground OF running three times. and yet. he
Is swelled up with his own greatness
that he is asking a fourth term Because
he wants 1t is no reason why the people
service and II Is better service the country
Is In need of right now.
Congressman Hinshaw's newspaper sup
Porters are also boosting him. Some specu-
lation has also been started as 10 whether
the sudden stroke OF Illness which over
came him in North Carolina last week while
on his way TO the funeral OF Senator Iatti-
mer, VIII prevent Mr.. Hinshaw from max
ing an active personal canvass.
Fer fba Tsffh dtafrf.f 4t,a-. ~. -.