Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-20
FREE FIELD OPEN
FOR CANDIDATES
IN STATE G. O.P.
Gathering of Republicans at Lin
coin Refuses to Endorse Any
one for Delegate to Chi
cago Convention.
LEADERS ALL BURY HATCHET
Make Speeches in Which Party
Harmony is the Watch
word.
CLEAR THE DECKS FOR ACTION
CFrom a staff Correspondcnt)

(From a Staff Correspondcnt)
LINCOLN, Jan. 19.-(Special.) -
The democratic political thermom-
eter suddenly dropped several de-
grees below zero todady, caused by
the gathering of republicans of the
state, which the opposition hoped
would break up in a jangle. The
meeting proved to be one in which
harmony was apparent in copious
showers and the speeches made by
former antagonists indicated that as
far as the republicans we're con-
cerned there was no need of getting
together, for the party was already
together and stronger because of the
difficulties of the past.
The meeting was called to order by
II. NJ. Bushnell of Lincoln and on
motion of F.. NJ. Currie, Judge A. c.
Epperson of Clay county was selected
chairman of the meeting. f. L.
Westerfield of Scott's Bluff was Sc
lected secretary.
nell called attention to the petitions
which had been circulated over the state
and said that about 5000 names were at
tached thereto. The petitions called for
the ASSEMBLING togthr of rpublicans Of
the state for the purpose of selecting del
egates to be voted on at the primary for
delegates to the national convention, to
be chosen from former members of the
In v
might prevails.
Opposed to Choice Vow.
l.. d. Richards Of Fremont opposed the
plan as set forth by the petitions and
made n motion that the meeting select
no delegates.
G. w. Wattles of Omaha, who was
supposed TO have fathered the idea which
resulted I'm the meeting promptly arose
to his feet and in a strong speech said
he had discovered that the plan did not
- meet with the approvar Of republicans as
whole and that there were many op-
posing 1t, He said that his ambition to
DC one of the delegates recommended
amounted to nothing in comparison to
the welfare of the republican party and
he was now opposed to the meeting Sc
lecting any names. but thought it better
Ia listen to speeches by as many present
as would like to speak and have a general
all around harmony meeting.
The motion not to select delegates car
ried almost unanimously, two very faint
noes coming from sowhehere in the
house but it was not discovered from
yhom they came.
Ross Hammond called attention to the
TACT that somewhere without was a re-
4.
Henry D. Estabreek of New York, and
moved that committee be appointed to
,scort him TO the meeting. The chairman
appointed Mr.. Hammond. Crawford Ken
aedy and General John L. Webster.
EstabrOOk Talks.
Mr. Estabrook was received with a
burst OF applause when he mounted the
speakers platform and started right out
in a strong array Of facts against con-
tinuing the democratic party in power.
He said that President Wilson had said
the republican party had not had a new
idea in fifty years.
Neither has the Bible or the multipli-
cation table" said Mr.. Estabrook. Both
were founded on a fundamental founda-
tion, always old" He said that Wilson
had receded from all the things he had
formerly advocated and had discovered
no new ones.
I'VE republicans should never again al
low our ancient and venerable enemy "a
stalk rough shod into the position he now
holds" said he.
Lincoln was assassinated because he
was a republican" said Mr. Sstabrook
Garfield was shot because he was a re.
Continued on Page Three, Col. FouFJ