The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-11-10

Nebraska is involved in the throes OF
an unusual campaign for the election
J. +. Latta. Times have changed
since the campaign of year ago and
the electors of this district are look.
ing forward with changed ideals con.
corning the man most competent to
fill this position and serve loyal
constituency. Party politics have been
mands are being made regardless of
party affiliation. Alive to this senti.
ment, the two candidates have issued
their ultimatums to the public and
hence their respective platforms are
an open subject which we are privi-
legged to consider in the light of their
self.imposed duties concerning the
needs of the hour. No "standpat"
partisan allied with the special in.
terests," which have so long held the
balance of power in each of the old
sary demands of growing sentiment
in favor of broader legislation for the
protection of all the people and the
public welfare for all time to come.
Be he democrat or republican, he
must be ready to sacrifice mere par
tisan sentiment to the public welfare
If he would command the confidence
of an enlightened constituency.
1t is therefore pertinent to take
the most salient point in the respec.
tive platforms Of the democratic
nominee Dan V. Stephens, and repub.
lican nominee, James c. Elliott, and
contrast them as viewed by public
sentiment
Mr.. Stephens says Quoting from a
democratic paper, hence authorita-
tive): Il am for an open caucus in
determining action on legislative mat
ters." Contrasted with this we have
Mr.. Elliott's declaration concerning
congressional business, that he "is
ready to unite, If elected, with any
party, preferably his own. to wipe out
an existing iniquity, and on this ques-
ton (referring to special interests"
which the public recognize as the
ruling element in the old parties)
should it be necessary he would be
an insurgent." AS to other matters he
has made it clear and plain that,
without prefix or suffix to his repub.
licanism, he will stand for the Square
deal" for everybody.
Thus we have the platforms of the
two men in their most vital points,
not imposed upon them by any party
convention, nor by the language of
others, permitting any misconstruc.
ton, but their own self-imposed obi
cation by their own hand. Mr.. FL
lott proposes to act free-handed re
gardless' of caucus, party or any 9TH
er combination. in all things. While
Mr.. Stephens in reciting the things he
Is for and against, does so without in
any manner qualifying his first de-
claration to abide by the caucus"
rule of his party. This is the string
which connects him with the STAND
pat" special interests" of the demo-
cratic party, "signed, sealed and de-
livered."
On this rule the renowned Joe Can
non built up a combination in con-
gress which proved to be greater than
the power of either the president or
congress. This is the rule fostered
by the special interests against which
public sentiment is now in revolt.
Many believe that the party caucus.
| open or closed, is the bane of Ameri-
can politics today. There are electors
all over this Third district, regardless
of party, who will rally to the man
who unflinchingly declares himself
against caucus rule" and vote for
James c. Elliott for congress. In no
other way can the monopoly of spe-
cial interests be overthrown at the
present time.