The Washington times., 1910-11-04
NEBRASKA NEVER LACKS EX-
CITEMENT.

Since the Populist days of the early
nineties, Nebraska has never been
threatened with dearth of spectasu-
lar politics. This year is no exception;
indeed, the brand of politics just now
attracting the attention of the Tree
planters is more spectacular than ever.
Our old friend, Cowboy jim" Dahl
man, mayor of Or aha and erstwhile
Bryan boomer, is charging up and down
the State, emitting war whoops, dis
charging six-shooters, busting broncoes,
and roping votes for governor, while
his one-time idol is hiring his own hall
and urging the people to vote for AID
rich, the insurgent Republican nominee,
on the ground that Dahlman is the
candidate of the liquor interests, a
charge which Dahlman proudly admits
is true.
A fair conception of the sort of cam
paign Dahlmsn is making may be
drawn from a speech which he recent
ly delivered at Lincoln, and in which
he told the people what they might
expect in the way of inaugural cere-
monies if he were elected. This speech
may also be accepted as a pretty good
explanation of Bryan's opposition TO
Dahlman. Dahlman said:
We are going TO have a good old
fashioned time. We are going TO have
a barbecue I'D there on those State
house grounds. We viii dig some
big trenches and I'll get twenty-five big
beeves and fifty head OF mutton, and
then we Will have a big platform for
five thousand people TO dance on, and
the first dance is going to be a Virginia
reel and I am going TO lead II. Then
the next dance is going to be an old
fashioned quadrille. and am going 20
have John Maher IN that set, and 1t viii
so something like this: All balance,
swing on the corner. grand right and
left, all promenade over 20 the barbecue.
We won't have anything 10 drink I'D
there on the hill but coffee and water.
but If any OF you want anything on the
side we will have little blue Ribbon
in the cellar.
But the governorship has no copy
right on spectacular politics in the
Nebraska campaign. Elmer Jacob Bur
kett, the near-insurgent, has been so
close-pressed for reelection as United
States Senator that he has turned the
muck-rake on the life of his opponent,
Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock, Democratic Rep
resentative from the Omaha district.
with the result that Burkett men and
Hitchcock men are now engaged in the
gay sport Of tearing each other to
pieces.
It seems that Mr.. Hitchcock, during
the hard times following the panic OF
1893, was forced to borrow money
from numerous banks in order to keep
his newspaper from suspending publ
cation. One Of the bankers from whom
he borrowed was, three years after.
ward, convicted of footing the State
treasury of more than a quarter of a
million dollars, being State treasurer
at the time.
Hitchcock long ago paid the loan
in full, but this fall, because of tho
acuteness of the Senatorial situation
ais transaction has been given publicity
Ind distorted by the friends of Burkett
n the hope Of making the public be-
ieve Hitchcock was n party TO theft
II public funds.
An examination Of the evidence
ihows the charge 70 be absurd. and
friends Of the progressive political move. |
nent in America will hope that the sen.
ible people Of Nebraska VIII not be mis-.
ed by It. Mr. Hltchcosk has shown. by
lis votes in Congress and by his activ.
" In Nebraska politics, that be stands