The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-07-28
LOVE FEAST
AT FREMONT
NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS ADOPT
A HARMONY PROGRAM.
BRYAN's NAME NOT MENTIONED
No Preference is Expressed on Presi-
dental Candidates - Hitehcock's
Hand, Working for Harmony, is Ef-
fective-Everybody was Nervous.

Hand, Working for Harmony, is Ef-
fectlve-Everybody was Nervous.
Fremont, Neb., July 26.-The Ne
braska state democratic convention,
which had been expected to place Ne
! braska democrats on record, so far
as concerned their preference for a
presidential candidate year hence,
failed to express itself on candidates
or offer commentator for it's own
| leaders.
For the most part it was only a
quiet gathering in session and it was
the general harmony program which
leaders of various factions had map
ped out in advance that was carried
out without a greater hitch than to
have an individual delegate ask the
convention to go on record for presi-
dental candidates and be ruled out
of order by the chairman.
This result was not accomplished
without much preliminary caucusing
but the result was satisfactory to
about everybody.
Gov. Harmon had a personal repre-
|
but he soon made it plain to the dele
gates that his principal business was
to get acquainted and to look over the
western field No attempt was made
to present the name of the Ohio gov
ernor for endorsement and Ben. W.
Chamberlain, who came with creden-
tials from the Ohio executive, stated
he was on ground in the interests of
harmony within the party as well as
to note the feeling as to the candidacy
of Gov. Harmon.
The gathering was called under the
state wide primary law for the pur-
pose of adopting a platform, the can
didates for state offices-three SUI
preme judges and two university re-
gents-being selected by direct vote
of the democratic electors. The lead
ers were in conference as early as
Monday morning and until an early
hour yesterday they were divided.
Representatives of w. j. Bryan and
Mayor James c. Dahlman of Omaha
labored long to come to an understand
ing and it was not until an agreement
was reached to eliminate all mention
of all individuals that a common
ground was found on which to stand.
The influence of United States Sen
ator Hitchcock was a factor in all
the preliminary negotiations. His
wish was to unite all factions and he
was eminently successful so far as
the conventions action is concerned.
Harrington Rules Wooster Out.
Chairman NJ. F. Harrington, who
previous to the gathering had indicat-
ed some opposition to Mr.. Bryan,
sounded the keynote of peace in his
opening speech. However, he per-
mitted Charles Wooster, delegate
from Merrick county, to offer mo-
ton when opportunity afforded, that
the convention vote it's preference for
a presidential candidate. In doing so
he stated to the convention that Mr..
Wooster's motion was not unexpected
and that he would rule it out of or
der because the law provided that the
rank and file of the party should ex'
press that preference in open prim
airy.
The convention was in an uproar for
a moment but it soon subsided and
Mr.. Wooster was permitted to state
that the federal constitution provided
for free speech and that he was ex
ercising that right with no wish to
embarrass the party organization.
Although a liberal minority had fay
ored action on the presidential can
didacy of Gov. Harmon, the matter
was not brought up on the conyen
ton floor. a general nervousness was
evident from the moment the conven
ton was called to order and it was
not relieved until the delegates were
permitted to give voice to their oppo
sition to any action looking to an
endorsement of candidates by practi
cally "howling down" Delegate Woos
, ter
Bryan's Name Not There.
The platform is confined to nationa
and state issues on which factions
, agreed. The name of William j
Bryan was not mentioned nor is re
ference made to policies he has here
, tofore advocated. To reach an agree
ment on those points the documen
WAS eNlSSu uO less IhdL IhlSS llllCo
Former Gov. Shallenberger was chair
+. man of the committee with Richard L
, Metcalfe representing Mr. Bryan anC
p Harvey ~ Newbranch of Omaha, al
:, avowed peacemaker, caring for thu
interests of Senator Hitchcock anC
Mayor Dahlmans followers.
Pending the report of the resolution
committee the convention was turne'
: into a love feast, and half dozel
candidates for state offices made brie
e addresses.
= John c. Byrnes was made chairman
e of the state committee and other rou
y tine matters occupied the convention
while awaiting the report of the con
d mittee which was adopted unan
J. mously.
d Want Fund for McNamara.