Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-15
Palmer in the Racc.

DAYTONA, Fla, March TO the Edi-
tor of The Bee: l note in a newspaper
assertion that Palmer is not progressive
enough. l paid my last cent to Captain
Marsh, the ferryman. for passage across
the Missouri to Omaha forty-nine years
ago last of this month. Summer Of 1860 |
worked in the mines in Colorado, drilling
and striking the drill. six hours on and
six hours off for $3.50 and s. per day
and boarded myself, hard work and poor
pay. Enlisted in the union army as a
private at $40 per month in 81. four years
and three months service. Earned my
several promotions to captain of cavalry,
pioneered and mined in what is now Wyo-
ming, Montana and Idaho until IS, then
located in P~lattsmouth, Neb. twenty years
a resident of Omaha. Have paid every
debt obligation, educated my children,
never arrested, always tried to be a good
citizen. How we'll l have succeeded is for
my neighbors to say. I am paying my
full share of taxes in Omaha. Own my
home there and consider myself vitality
interested in the city so dear to me, its
present and future prosperity.
I served the city Of Omaha five years
without compensation as park commits
sioner. appointed by the seven district
judges; inaugurated the Central boulevard
system and won out. Served by appoint
ment Commission signed by Governor
Holcomb) as one of the three police COM
missioners about eighteen months. one
of the three, Mr.. vandervoort. was alb
sent most of the time; A. c.. Foster and
myself were responsible for work per-
formed, and I assumed, of course, my
half of the responsibility, and so far have
never heard any complaints from the peo-
pie interesteds A@
My four years service as postmaster
seems to have given fair satisfaction.
Director and president Omaha Board OF
Trade for over ten years past, since which
time the original shares have increased
in value from $50 to 1880. Manager Ma
tional Home for Disabled Volunteer Sol
diers, now second vice president. twice
elected by a unanimous vote of congress.
A member OF the board of which President
Roosevelt, Chief Justice Fuller and the
secretary of war were ex-officio members.
Shows a little progressiveness, does it not?
More than 100 taxpayers of Omaha
since November last have personally
urged me to make the race for mayor.
Just before leaving Omaha january 90
last / said yes. If my friends will sign
a petition 500 or 900 strong and secure
the nomination without my help. | will
make the race If nominated, and il the
republican party is united I will be
elected. A petition signed by nearly 500
good citizens OF Omaha, among the very
best, has been filed with my acceptance
and pledge.
I note by same newspaper that the
absence Of Captain Palmer is taken by
his friends to mean indifference as to the
results of the primary" l am not in
different. My wife's health is certainly
of first Importance now.
If nominated il will be without per-
sonal appeal to the voters and without |
the expenditure of money to influence /
votes. If nominated I will make a Wig
orous and proper canvass-not q cam
paign of vilification, but a square and
honorable test Of strength between the !
political parties, all most surely inter
ested in the upbuilding Of omahs-re-
publicans, democrats and socialists--all
loyal citizens and n~eighbors.
My laboring friends OF Omaha have
always been friendly. They must recog-
nize. I'm me an appreciative and sympa- |
thetic friend. All I have came from hard
work on the farm, in the mines and in
surance. Never afraid to work; always
proud and thankful shat / had the viii. !
ability and strength TO perform the task
before me.
If elected I promise to devote all my |
time and energy to the interests CT
Omaha for. an honest administration OF
my duties as mayor. to the end that taxes
per capita shall be lessened, and for
every dollar spent there shall be some
thing good accomplished to show for il,
and that every citizen, high. low. rich on
poor. saint or sinner, republican. demo-
crat or socialist, shall have a Square !
deal"
While l may not have the support of
tho
sure that II Twin the nomination at the
primary, ] will have the solid and win
ming support OF the republican and.
trust the independent papers