Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-18

1
the interests and credit Of the city against the
secret opposition of all other papers. The triumph
was, therefore, as gratifying as 1t was emphatic.
The Rout of Prohibition.
One of the most remarkable campaigns in the his
tory Of Nebraska that which gave knockout to
prohibition in 1890. During the preceding decade eff
forts made at every session Of the legislature
to a constitutional amendment prohibiting the
manufacture and sale OF alcoholic liquors The move
yment was checked for few by the passage Of
the socumb high license law, which restricted the
saloon and put Nebraska ahead OF all other states in
liquor regulation. with statutory prohibition in
Iowa and constitutional prohibition in Kansas the at
tacks Nebraska gathered fresh force and eliminated
in the legislature 1882 which passed the act sub
hitting the proposition to vote Of the people. The
battle fought to a finish in November 1890.
At all stages OF the movement to fasten upon Ne
braska system of liquor suppression VIGOROUSLY false
and hypocritical The Bee in the front rank bat
Ting against It and in favor of regulation by high
license When nothing short of vote of the people
could rid the state the agitation, this paper set
about uniting the business interests of the state The
Business Mems association organized in Omaha,
the Personal Liberty league active influential
p~auxary. These powerful compact bodies extending
from end of the state to the other formed cam
pagn executive committee OF which the editor of The
Bee chairman. Before entering actively upon
stumping tour of the state, Mr.. Rosewater made
thorough personal investigation Of the workings of
prohibition in Iowa and Kansas visiting the leading
cities and securing the testimony leading business
Of the several towns respecting it's commercial and
moral effect. The various devices employed such
bootleggng, "speak-eases" and drug store saloons,
Investigated and TASKS of the liquor sold
procured With documentary and bottled proof of the
fallacy of prohibition In adjoining states the editor
of The Bee delivered addresses In most of the lead
ing cities and towns, and gave practical demonstra-
lons Of the Illicit and uncontrolled traffic which would
yellow the adoption of the amendment These illustra-
lions, together with the addresses of many noted
campaigners, spread before the people through
the columns of The Bee.
A few days after the burial of prohibition, the
Business Mems association and other citizens rendered
banquet to the editor of The Bee tribute to his
labors in bringing about the gratifying result
Harrison and Crounse I'm 1892.
The overwhelming defeat of the prohibition amend
ment in 1890 carried with it sharp rebuke of the
publican party. While all the partys candidates for
state Offices except the candidate for governor
elected, control of the legislative state
government lost From being the majority party in
election since the admission of the state into the
union, It became minority party. How to regain
ground became question of grave concern to repub-
Ncans with whom the triumph of party principles
more important than individual success. The coming
presidential campaign rendered harmony and clean
leadership exceedingly desirable. To this end
The Bee urged be brought to the front
The policy advocated by The Bee received the cor
dial support of the republicans of Douglas county
It was vitalzed and affirmed by the county conven
ton, which. under the advice of the editor of The Bee
passed resolution declaring for Lorenzo Crounse fol
governor and commencing his candidacy to the repub
cans of the state. Mr. Crounse at this time frs
assistant secretary of the national treasury His
was not previously mentioned for the office, but Il
was cordially greeted throughout the state presagng
as 1t did, an aggressive harmonious campaign The
republican convention ratified the candidate
the republicans of Douglas county and cleared the
way to party victory.
Election of MIR. Crounse by plurality of 1925
was a timely demonstration OF what republicans
accomplish when rallied the support of honest, in
telligent and reputable candidates.
The. Turning Down of Majors.
The defeat Of Thomas ]. Majors, republican can
Ndidate for governor in 1894 belongs also the re
cords of the triumphs of The Bee. Having been &C
cidentay elected lieutenant governor in 1884, Major
magnified his elevation into a call higher dutie
and executive honors. Only the lavish distribution
corporation money and the purchase of proxe
and the betrayal of instructions by certain delegate
enabled Majors to obtain what he long had coveted
the republican nomination for governor The day o
he nomination of Majors, the editor The Bee ten
dered his resignation a member of the national com
mittee to the republican state convention and an
nounced his determination to oppose the election O
the nominee. Then followed a remarkable 70
the intensity Of feeling against The Bee displayed
- Majors followers, and the frantic efforts OF the rail
road corporations to coerce business The Major
literary bureau, with headquarters in Omaha. appai
emily conceived the idea that Mr. Rosewater was
candidate for governor and exhausted its dyspepti
energies in magning The Bee. No attempt was mad
to refute the charges of The Bee dispute the aC
curacy Of Majors notorious public record. The Be
spread the light of truth in every hamlet STATE
1t did infinitely more 1t rallied and united the elC
ments opposed to corporate rule against Majors Wit
the opposition united on Judge Holcomb. Clean rs
putable and high-mnded man, task of defe in
Majors simplifed The attempt TO array the bus
ness element OF the state against the producers an