The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-02-22
Craft Will
RunAgail1st
c. W. Bryan
Bancroft Man Refuses to Be
aShelved-Will Have Strong
Backing in the Race for
Governor.
Democratic Split Looms


staff Correspondent The Omaha Bee.
Lincoln, Feb. 21.--Charles Graft of
Bancroft is about to deliver rude
blow to the much heralded harmony
in Nebraska's democratic party. That
harmony was partly accomplished by
shelving w. II. Thompson Of Grand
Island, who withdrew his name as a
candidate for national committeeman
in favor of an opportunity to get on
the state supreme bench, but Graft
has resisted every inducement Of the
Bryan machine and will run for gov
ernor.
This is learned from Graft himself.
Two weeks ago, when rumors OF
his impending candidacy were in cir
culation, the former president of the
state board OF agriculture was EN-
phatic in his denials that he would
oppose Charles w. Bryan for the DEM
ocratic nomination.
But he is a candidate now.
And behind that candidacy is an
interesting story of attempts made
by the Bryan machine to eliminate
Graft as a gubernatorial candidate.
Graft was urged to consider the de-
STABILITY OF his filing for the United
States senate. Petitions were even
drawn up asking him to be candi-
date for the senate.
Turns Cold Shoulder.
To these suggestions. as well as to
those that he withdraw an attack
made upon Bryan at meeting of the
state board of agriculture, he has
turned cold shoulder.
The attack on the governor. in
cluded in CRAFTS report as president of
the state board of agriculture. has
been particularly obnoxious to the
Bryan machine. More than one ef-
fort has been made to have 1t ex.
pugned from the records by Bryan
iieutenants. but they all have been
fruitless.
Graft, stockman himself, will have
{, strong backing among cattle raisers
in the state. He is particularly in
terested In the eradication of bovine
tuberculosis, which Is anathema to
The governor. Further, Graft can
fightfully use the title Of farmer
candidate"
1t is understood that Craft Will
not make a personal filing, but will
accept petitions asking him to be
candidate. These petitions now are
being circulated and 1t is learned. Oh
good authority, that the rapidity with
which signatures have been secured
= s~tf II,
supporters. among who is numbered
w. b. Eastman, prominent democrat.
Many Signatures.
Ono clrculator is said to have re-
ported IS signers in S5 minutes and
another petition, mailed out one
night. came back in As hours with
a signature on every line.
The support of Eastman is thorn
in the flesh OF the Bryan machine
and efforts have been made TO get
him away from Graft, but he has Of
fered no encouragement to those who
have approached him.
An idea OF the seriousness with
which the Graft boom is being taken
by Bryan and his adherents may be
gained from the following:
George Hall. secretary Of finance
and an appointee of the governor,
went to the former president Of the
state board to urge him to withdraw.
The interview continuing unsatis-
factory, Hall declared, You haven't a
chance" to which Graft replied.
Then why are you trying to keep me
out?"
Graft says that he is not like Some
candidates who won't run unless they
are sure Of election.
I always have been a supporter
Of Charley Bryan he said. I've even
burned his coal, although 1t set my
house afire. But his actious since
he has been governor are such that
I can't support him any longer"