The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-26
NEBRASKANSFA|L ID PICK CANDIDATE In General Democrats Hold
 Peaceful Meeting
  NERVOUSNESS SHOWN  Delegate Wooster Offers Motion to Vote rof Presidential Preference
 and Causes Much Uneasiness. Platform Is Drawn Up
NERVOUSNESS SHOWN

Freemont, Neb, July 25.-The Nebraska democratic convention which had been expected to place Nebraska democrats on record. so far as concerned their prefer ence for a presidential candidate a year hence. failed today to express itself on candidates or offer commendations tor it's own leaders For the most part 1t wes q peaceful gathering.
 This result was not accomplished with out much preliminary caucusing, but the result was satisfactory to everybody. Governor Harmon had a personal repre- sentative, Ben w. Chamberlain, present at the convention, but he soon made l rlain to the delegates that his principal business was to get acquainted and to look over the western field.
 The gathering was called under the statewide primary law for the purpose Of adopting platform, the candidates for |state offices, three supreme judges, two university regents and one railroad com missioner being selected by direct vote O. the democratic electors. The leaders were in conferences as early as Monday morn- ing and until an early hour today they were hopeessly divided. Representatives of William J. Bryan and Mayor James c. Dahlman of Omaha, labored long to come
 c an understanding and it was not until an agreement was reached to eliminate mention of all individuals that a common ground was found on which to stand
 
 factor in all of the preliminary negoia- tions. His wish was to unite all fac- tions and he was eminently successful. Chairman M. F. Harrington, who, pre- vious to the gathering. had indicated some opposition to MT. Bryan, sounded the keynote of peace in his opening speech. However, he permitted Charles Wooster, delegate from MerrclS county. to offer motion when opportunity af- forded, that the convention votes its pres- erence for presidential candidate. In doing so he stated to the convention thas Mir Woosters motion was not uneXpect- cd and that he would rule 1t out of or der because the law provided that the rank and file of the party should ex- press that preference in open primary. The convention was in an uproar for a moment but 1t soon subsided and MT. Wooster was permitted to state that the federal constitution provided for free speech and that he was exercising that right with no wish to embarrass the party organization.
 Although a liberal minority had favored action the presidential candidacy of Governor Harmon, the matter was not brought up on the convention floor. A | general nervousness was evident from | the moment the convention was called to l order and it was not relieved until the delegates were permitted to give voice
 to their opposition to any action looking to an indorsement of candidates by prac- tically "howling down. Delegate Wooster.
 The platform is confined to national and state issues, on which all factions are agreed. The name of William J E. Bryan is not mentioned nor is reference made as to policies he has hitherto ad- vocated. To reach an agreement on these points the document was revised no less than three times.
 Former Governor Shallenberger was chairman of the committee with Richard L. Metcalfe, representing Mir Bryan, and Harvey N. Newbranch of Omaha, an avowed peacemaker, caring for the in- terests of Senator Htchcocks and Mayor Dahmans followers.
 Pending the report of the resolutions committee the convention was turned into love feast and half a dozen candidates for state offices made brief adresses.
 John R. Byrnes was elected chairman of the state committee and other routine matters occupied the convention while awaiting the report of the committee, which was adopted unanimously.
 The platform congratulates the nation that democratic principles are winning favor in all sections of the country and continues in part:
 "The record that has been made in Congress and the states is proof that the democracy is entitled to rule be- cause of the high ideals of the gov ernment 1t stands for, and that it can be trusted to guard the rights of the people because of the loyalty, eXperi- ence and capacity shown by those whom 1t has entrusted with power. With con fidence we ask for comparison of the popularity of democratic legislation with .the growing odium attached to republican policies. We point to the reciprocity measure as proof that the republican party is now abandoning it's protective policy even in pretense that it is for the ben eft of the American farmer. The dem ocratic free list tariff bill is proof that our party has taken a first step in the direction to reduce the tariff.
 We favor the early passage of a service pension bill. We commend the democratic representatives of this state for their support of such a measure in the last Congress and urge our sena- tors and representatives in the present Congress to earnest effort along that line to the end that this long de- ferred act of justice to the veterans will speedily become law"
 The recent democratic legislature Is commended for the enactment of laws enlarging the scope of the primary law to include presidential preference and the choosing of national committeeman and submitting an initiative and refer endum constitutional amendment