Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-15

opposition railroad, but 20 beat NoSeWater 3
as we'll because he was Independent OF all F.
railroads. At several stages efforts
were made TO effect compromise with
the fusion minority in favor OF Allen Ctu-
sionisD and Crounse republican,, but with
out success, because enough republican
votes could not be mustered to consum-
mate the election Of popunst.
The deadlock was finally broken by the
withdrawal Of Thompson and Rosewater
on the last regular day Of the session. the
caucus quickly agreeing on two dark
horses in the persons OF Governor Charles
H. Dietrich for the South Platte senator
ship and Joseph H. Willard, a banker Of
omaha, for the North Platte senatorship.
The ballot that determined that Nebraska's
seats in the upper house OF congress
should be occupied rather than remain
vacant abeted the high-strung tension Of
all participants The successful and I'M
successful candidates were called before
the joint convention and expressed ac-
uuiescence in the result. As described at
| the time The election OF Dietrich and
Willard was hailed with JOY and exulta-
ton: the deadlock had been broken; Ne
braska was assured two republican sena-
tors; It brought a feeling Of relief, II not
entirely, Of satisfaction"
right on Dietrich
| The contest over the Dietrich success
sion began long before the time before the
election was in sight. The elements that
| compa ssed the defeat OF Thompson &C
cepted the substitution OF Governor Diet
rich with stil less grace and set about
early 20 make his reelection impossible.
Their campaign Of ridicule and detraction
eliminated I'm his indictment by the fed
eral grand jury, which, notwithstanding
his acquittal marked him for retirement at
the end of his term. To make sure that
Thompson should not fall heir his oppo-
nents settled upon r. ]. Burkett, con-
gresham from the First district, and re-
siding in the same city as Mr.. Thompson,
TO make the race. Thompson, however,
refused to compete and Burkett secured the
| support Of his home county without con-
test While this was being worked out the
program was inaugurated for the nomtna-
ton of candidate for United States SEN
ator I'm the republication state convention.
and the state committee was prevailed
upon to include in its call a recommends
ton TO that effect No other avowed can
didate appearing the convention nominated
Mr. Burkett without dissent and his name
appeared on the official ballot as the re-
publican nominee. In many districts can
didates were pledged to his support and
his election was a formal approval of the
conventions nomination
How Brown Landed.
The senatorial contest of four years age
b. was really fought out in the republican
81 state convention held :he preceding Aug.
e ust. The candidacy of Attorney Genera
] Norris Brown had been projected early tr
the winter and his friends prevailed on tht
state committee to follow the precedent SCI
two years before Of including the nomina
j ton of a candidate for senator in the con
vention call. Senator Millard persisted II
! saying that he was in the hands of hi,
friends and in refusing to make any &C
tive effort In his own behalf. The ad
mrers of the late Edward Rosewater, edI
tor of The Bee, seeing i'm him the only
d Omaha candidate who could appeal to tn,
. support of the growing anti-corporatior
= sentiment as against Brown, inaugurateC
: a movement for him during his absence
at the Worlds Postal congress at ROM
and secured for him the solid home back
= ing, although not without a sharp Skin
mish over Senator Willard and forme
2 Governor Crounse. The corporations an,
a federal officers supporting Willard ben
s all their energies to preventing convention
10 nomination, but in vain. The lines wer
d drawn that Willard, Crounse and tn
:. others were left commanding but a handfu
i Of delegates altogether. Brown was ad
a mittedly in the lead but not until the lift
3 ballot was he able to muster the necessar
o majority to nominate over Rosewater VIII
l. was dangerously close second Mr.. Rose
d water mounted the platform and pledge
loyal support to his successful competitor
y The overwhelming republican majorities re
s. turned to both houses OF the legislature
&c shattered the corporation hopes of block
- ing the situation with a few votes as bs
~ been done before. An Investigation resor
II ton presented by a democratic member q
:. the eve of the impending election was thei
:, last desperate move. The democrats an
) populsts in the meantime had nominate
D. w. II. Thompson for senator in their con
+ ventions thus making the issue SQUARED
~ before the people between the two candt
In dates.
At On formal ballot Brown was duly eIecte,
Id Hitchcock Against Burkett.
II AS a prelude to the senatorial fight Z
70 1910 the democrats in control of the mr.,
ne ceding legislature enacted the SOCIAL.
y Oregon plan by which candidates for N
ia legislature were to pledge themselves
H. advance to record themselves for n
NJ candidate receiving the highest number ,
y votes in the election. This made a doub
nc contest. First for the respective mart
nominations determined by direct primar
- and second for the preferential vote
" the November election
a. No one had a walk-away at any sta,
OF the game. For denomination as the M
Is publican candidate Senator Burkett had
ri win out over Charles o. Whedon. CIai
rs Adams, Alfred Sorenson and Rev. Thorn,
or Birmingham, the later filing also for II
er prohibition and populists nominations
to the democratic lists Congressman G.
re Hitchcock beat Willis Reed and Richa,
e. l. Metcalfe and also nailed down II
rs populist nomination The campaign turn,
ny largely on the liquor question. althous
m. Burkett had the continued opposition
X all four OF his competitors in the primal
an and Hitchcock had to meet vigorous a
re- tack upon him started nv Edgar Howar
H. editor Of the democratic Columbus Tel
ne gram, based on the charge that Hitchco