The Sentinel=record., 1911-07-26
NEBRASKA
 DEMOCRATS
NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS JuBi. HlLANT OVER RECENT POLL.
 TiCAL SUCCESSES.
Record in Congress Proof That the Party is Entitled to Rule the Country, Says Platform.
 No Candidates.

Fremont, Neb., July 25.--The Ne- braska democratic convention which had been expected to place Nebraska democrats on record, so far as con- cerned their preference for presi- dential candidate year hence, fail- ed to express itself on candidates or offer commentators for It's own leaders. For tho most part 1t was a peaceful gathering. This result was not accomplished without much pre- iiminary caucusing, but the result was satisfactory to everybody.
 Governor Harmon had personal representative, Ben w. Chamberlain, at the convention, but he soon made it plain to the delegates that his principal business was to get hc- quainted and to look over the vest ern field.
 The gathering was called under the
 
 statewide primary law for the pur- pose of adopting platform, the
 candidates for state offices. three supreme judges, two university re- gents and one railroad commissions er being selected by direct vote of the democratic electors. The leaders were in conference as early as Mon day morning and until an early hour today they were hopelessly divided.
 Representatives of William ! Bryan and Mayor James c. Dahlman lof Omaha, labored long to come tc Ian understanding and it was not un- ltil an agreement was reached to elim- linate mention of all individuals that a common ground was found or which to stand. United States Sen. lator Hitchcock was a factor in al the primary negotiations. His wish was to unite all factions and h< Twas eminently successful.
 Chairman M. F. Harrington, who previous to the gathering, had indi- lcated some opposition to MT. Bryar Isounded the keynote of peace in his lopening speech. However, he per. Imitted Charles Wooster, a delegate from Merrick county to offer nlo- Ition when opportunity afforded, that the convention vote it's preference for a presidential candidate. In doing so he stated to the convection that Mir. Wooster's mention was not unexpected and that he would rule it out of order because the law pro- vided that the rank and file of the party should express that preference in open primary.
 The convention was in an uproar for moment, but it soon subsided and Mir. Wooster was permitted fo state that the federal constitution provided for free speech and thought he was exercising that right with no wish to embarrass the party or- |ganization.
 Although . liberal minority had favored action on the presidential candidacy of Governor Harmon, the matter was not brought up on the convention floor. A general ner- vousness was evident from the mo- Iment. the convention was called td |order and it was not relieved until the delegates were permitted to give voice to their opposition to any ac- |tion looking to an endorsement oi candidates by practically "howline down" Delegate Wooster.
 The platform is confined to Ma |tional and State issues on which al factions are agreed.
 The name of William Jennings Bryan is not mentioned. nor Is ref erence made as to policies he has hitherto advocated. To reach an agreement on these points the docu- ment was revised no less than three times.
 Former Governor Shallenberger was chairman of the committee with Richard L. Metcalf, representing Mir. Bryan and Harvey N. Newbranch of 'c.ama. an avowed peacemaker, car Ing for the interests of Senator Hitchcock's and Mayor Dahlman's followers.
 Pending the reports of the resolu- tions committee the convention was turned into love feast and half a
 dozen candidates for state offices made brief addresses.
 John c. Byrnes was elected chair |man of the state committee and oth- Ter routine matters occupiei he con-