The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-30
Dahlman and Platform the
Issue in Nebraska.
OPPONENT HAS GOOD RECORD
VIII Also Have Support of William
Jennings Bryan ''Dahlmanism''
Lurtdly DenOuneed-GOv. ShalIen-
berger's Trimming Gave Cowboy
Nomination for Governor.
By WILLIS j. ABBOT.
a. % Ne Washlngton Herald.

/ SiSS+1- " AHS " Washington hGta4A
Omaha. Neer.. Sept. 29.-The Republi-
can candidate for governor OF Nebraska
/ is C. II. Aldrich. a former member OF
/ the State senate. One might almost say
that the Republican candidate IS entirely
anonymous. for you hear little OF Aldrich
! In hotels or the places where politicians
congregate. It is all Dahlman or anti
Dahlman.
At the same time this IS hardly fair
10 Senator Aldrich He served briefly in
| the State senate, but in that time was
instrumental in passing many acts which
| II is claimed have been an advantage 10
the people OF the State. Particularly was
he active In pushing legislation FOR the
regulation OF railroads. He was the au-
thor OF a railway commission law which
created the Nebraska State railway COM
mission. He was the author OF the
| freight rate reduction law which reduced
! freight rates within the State He was a
strong supporter of the anti-pass law.
cent fare law, the anti-rebate law, and
other progressive measures.
Now 1t is easy to say. as the Demo-
Gratis do say. that their men in the leg
islature stood also for most of these
measures. But admitting this 10 be the
truth II is at least fair 10 give Aldrich
credit for the part he took in them, OF
course his opponent. Dahlman, not be-
ing in the legislature. had no part in that
sort o. public work.
"DahImanism" Played.
But whatever may have been Aldrich's
past merits, the fight is not going TO cen
ter upon him or his record. but, rather.
upon Dahlman and his platform. To my
mind. the least creditable thing which
Aldrich has done thus far was his letter
TO Richard l.. Metcalfe, associate editor
OF Bryan's COmmOner. who has bolted the
whole State ticket and announced his al
legiance 10 Aldrich. l quote one para
graph from the letter, the tone OF which
reminds me very much OF the days when
people used TO look with horror upon
Bloody Brides" Waite, of Colorado. II
reads thus:
Like yourself. I have nothing personal
against my opponent. James c. Dahlman,
but I am eternally opposed 10 Dahlman-
ism. 1t disregards law. II pardons the
most vicious criminals. II prostitutes wom-
anhood, degrades manhood, and damns
childhood. 1t corrupts politics, destroys
homes. fills jails. prisons. asylums. and
graves with its deluded victims
Now. mark this Incorporate outburst IN
the cause of temperance is based on these
two propositions:
Aldrich and his supporters think that
every county in the State should have the
right 10 declare itself on the question OF
prohibition regardless OF the fact that
within the county there may be consfd-
cradle cities not in favor OF IT,
DHhIman for Home Rule.
Dahlman thinks and breaches frank
ly that he believes the present liquor
law in Nebraska, which gives 10 each
city. town. or township the right 90
choose for itself as TO license or no IT.
cense. and which further compels the
closing OF all saloons at o'clock In the
evening, is a sufficient regulation OF the
liquor traffic.
Any one may judge for himself wheth-
er the difference In these two policies
entirely justihes the Republican leader
violent language.
People throughout the country at large
think of Dahlman chiefly as the Cow
boy mayor" That reputation was enor-
mously EXCHANGED when. at the trium-
plant return OF Mr.. Bryan from Europe
in 1907. DahIman went down the bay on a