Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-10-29
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s&Me2aRoT

Hot Shot from shOtWeu.
OMAHA, oct. 2s-To the Editor Of The
Bee: II there Is any merit in the initia-
tive and referendum as TO state legisla-
ton. It Is the fact that the questions OF
woman suffrage, prohibition and moral
matters can be submitted to the people
without party division or party recon-
mendations. In other words, these ques-
lions may be removed from party rancor
and party division. They have no proper
place in party platforms and are not is
sues for party determination. Men may
honestly differ on these questions and be
members OF the same political party.
These are questions Of emotion and SEN
timent. rather than questions Of govern
ment
During the last few years great
many political fortune hunters and
brainless reformers have become at
tached to the payroll Of our state by
reason of the fact that they have been
carried into office through the agitation
of one OF these questions. These men
could not have been elected by their
own party organization on account Of
their we'll known unfitness for the offices
which they sought They knew nothing
OF the science OF government and were
unable TO comprehend and understand
the duties which they were elected to
perform. By reason Of the election and
elevation OF these political nondescripts
to office our state has lost prestige at
home and abroad.
The leader of these men in Nebraska,
Mr.. Bryan, became the secretary OF state
for the nation and when the hour of peril
came to his country he deserted his chief
and skunk away like thief in the night
to begin anew his preachments of political
fakcry. These men have represented us
in the congress of the United States and
the result has been that Nebraska has
received no recognition of any impor-
lance. These men have been elected gov
ernors OF the state and the result has
been that our state government has had
no leadership worthy Of remembering.
The incubator of this class of politicians
has been the legislature of the state,
where laws have been passed in profusion
and confusion without regard to the well
fare and the upbuilding OF the state. The
result is that today in Nebraska there Is
not single promotion or undertaking OF
any great consequence under construc-
ton. Even in the Last Legislature the
leader of this bunch of political dema-
gogues almost succeeded In destroying the
state militia, and had IL not been
for influence brought to bear from Wash
ington this long-haired statesman would
have succeeded in his desire.
II strikes me that the time has ar
rived in Nebraska. when we should cease
to elect members OF the legislature, gov
ernors. congressman and United States
senators upon issues that are immaterial
and which do not determine the fitness
Of the man who seeks the office. Long
hair does not denote brains. Neither
does self-laudation prove virtue. We
should elect men. who stand for a policy
Of government and who represent a pollti-
cal party so that the political party in
power will be held responsible for its
policy of government. / personally be-
lieve that the big problem confronting
the government of our state and of the
United States is the obtaining Of men to
construct and guide who are big enough
and broad enough to grasp the big in
ternal economic questions and to cope
with the serious International problems
The days for political takers and bigots
are over They have had their feast.
They have left their path of destruction
and they must now be replaced with
men who possess courage, brains and
patriotism.
Therefore, let the Issue in Nebraska be:
Party principle with fitness and ability
for the office sought, the test, rather
than a long face, long hair, religious
bigotry and a hypocritical sheer
FRANKLIN A. SHOTWELL.