Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, September 27, 1903, Page 16

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SU NDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1903, HARMONY THE WATCHWORD AMONG DOUGLAS GOUNTY REPUBLICANS and the country, In the heart and mind and | termine who our candidates shall bs by Full Text of the Speeches Delivered at! the Mass Meeting Held at Wash- ington Hall Friday Evening. Following is the full stenographic report of the speeches delivered at the republican mass meeting at Washington hall on Fri- day evening, In the order of the speakers: M. A. Foster, Fellow Republicans and Gentlemen: You all know what we are called together for. | This is a harmony meeting, a sort of love feast in the republican party. This movement was started by the McKinley club some months ago, and we have worked along that Iine, and this is the first general meeting we have had. I now call this meet- ing to order and ask Senator Millard to take charge of It and act as chairman. Semator Millard, QGentlemén and Fellow Republicans: T assume that you have all read the call that has been published two or three days, and as we are all anxious to come together, I take it that the gentlemen who are pres- ent are Inclined to stand with us and try and see If we cannot bring ourselves to- gether 80 that at the coming election there will be no difference among republicans, (Applause.) 1 have been a republican for many years | and voted a great many times for men who ‘were on the ticket that were really not ac- ceptable to me, but I have made up my mind after many years that the only thing for a republican to do is to vote the ticket from beginning to end, and I hope the gen- tlemen in this meeting will all feel the necessity of coming together and seeing if we cannot make a success at the coming election. We all know how easy it 1s to pull apart and sometimes how hard it is to get together, but this is one time when we should combine and try and carry the elec- tion at the coming November. We should try and get together so that at the coming election we can get together, not only in county and city, but in the state and na- tion, and that next year we will not only elect the president and vice president, but also the congressman, our governor and all | the state officers, also the legislative ticket, as we expect to elect a United States sen- ator at that time. I feel the necessity and tmportance, and hope you feel that we can get together and make success sure, not only at this coming election, but all future electivns. (Applause.) Robert Cowel Mr. Chairman and Fellow Republicans: It affords me great pleasure to stand be- fore this audience tonight, because I feel 1t augurs well for the success of our party, bath for this year and next. I am in no pense a speaker and least of all a public speaker. 1 take it that I have been called upon to say & few words tonight because 1 have attended every meeting, 1 belleve, that has been held in this city in the in- terest of harmony. These meetings were first held in the Millard hotel in this city. There were a few gentlemen from both fac- tions in the party. I hate to use that word and hope after tonight we will never again hear of two factions in the. republican party. (Applause.) At the Instance of the McKinley club a number of gentlemen were asked to meet in the Millard hotel with a view, if pos- sible, to wiping out differences, real or imaginary, which seemed to exist in the party. We labored week after week and seemed to accomplish little. I began to feel 1t was love's Jabor lost, but, I say it to the credit of the McKinley club, which is composed of young men, that they did not feel as I felt, and they still kept up the good work. Bince that time we have had a number of meetings, on an average of two a week. These meetings have been at- tended actively by those who were sup- posedyto be afiliated with what was known during the last election as the machine wing of the party. At first blush, the average man who I8 not in sympathy with the “machine” wiould be lMable to conclude that these gentlemen were getting together Bt these meetings for the purpose of putting up a job on the party. Fortunately for us, at & number of our meetings certain gentiemen attended who were assoclated with the other wing of the party. I was also glad to see them there, because they, better than we, could fmpress thelr friends with the purpose and objects of these meetings. These people were called together with a view to first harmonising themselves. For, I want to say to you, gentlemen, that somo differ- ences had apparently arisen in our own wing. We first wanted to find out whether there wa# an earnest desire on the part of our people for harmony, whether they were destrous to hold out the olive branch to the other side or to go it alone. I have never atiended meetings where there moemed to bo fuller and freer expression. 1 never attended meotings where there weemed to be fairer or more kindly disposed sentiments apparently felt and expressed and I want to say to you, gentlemen, that 1t any of these prominent men associated ‘with the “machine” faction have something hid up their sleeve I have been unable to discover it. We have arrived, among ourselves, at what I think is & falr conclusion. There is & disposition on our side to meet the | other side .more than balt way. To give them liberal and falr representation on the ticket, in the hope that they will joln with us and that we will present a united party | when we go to the polls and get for the republicans guch offices as we think they B! for many years divided in the nation. We do not belleve It can be safely said by any republican in either wing of the republican party In this county that the judicial ticket will not recelve the unanimous support of all republicans in this judiclal district. (Applause.) I believe that I speak with full assurance and with fidelity to the republican party when I say that each and every republican In this clty does honor to the man and honor to his vote when he casts his vote for Judge Barnes for judge of the su- preme court of this state. He is a dls: tinguished gentleman, a learned lawyer, and honest, and these three things put him in the best possible condition for the work- ing out of the destinies of the people through our tribunals. It cannot be said by anyone who is acquainted with the ju- dica! ticket nominated for this Fourth ju- diclal district that these men are not emi- nently qualified fer the positions to which they have been nominated, or that they do not possess In remarkable degree integrity in themselves and the confidence of the people. And this, further, that they have a state pride, and that state pride has been expressed in our cholce of a candldate for vice president of the United States—Hon. John L. Webster (great applause) our man. As we have associated with him from day to day, from year to year, and he has gone in among us, we have somewhat forgotten the colossal standing of this, our friend and citizen and neighbor. Those who have been viewing him from a distance are better able to see and to meabure his status as an American citizen, as a lawyer and as a jurist, than any of us who have been closely connected with him. And we shall take this opportunity of rallying to him and doing everything that we can that he may attain this last distinguished honor which the state has so kindly given him. 8o much for the work of the conventions that have already assembled. We are now on the eye of the primary election. A set of rules has been put In force by the so- called anti-machine wing of the republican party in this county which eminently falr and which give to every republican in this county & free and untrammeled choice. (Applause.) I for one stand for those rules. I stand for the fair and legitimate interpre- tation of them, and the carrying into full force and effect according to their spirit and effect. I do not stand here to defend for one moment any system by which that cholce will be eliminated and the purposes of the rules defeated. What s the natural result, then, of the present situation? All the candidates who can be voted for In the coming primary election are now before the people. While I have my own political and personal friends among those people, no matter whether my men are nominated by the coming convention, or those who have affliated with the opposite wing to the one with which I have been connected, 1 shall support that ticket from top to botton. (Applause.) 1 belleve that political parties are best controlled by majority rule. I believe that the foundation upon which the soctal.com- pact is built is made from the very best of our republican form of government—the right of the majority to rule is best worked out by the action of the majority of our people in republican conventions bled. 8o that when the convention has adjourned 1 am willing to take those nominees, make them my personal and political friends, and do everything In my power to elect at the coming election. (Applause.) This call, I take it, was made in good faith. We so understogd it when we came | here and joined In thik meeting; yet this evening, after having taken this in the best possible good faith, I opened tha columns of The Omaha Beo and read from the editorlal page an editor! written, I presume, by the ‘manager, editor and | proprietor of the Omaha Dally New.; (Laughter)—one who signed this call with me and with others—who signed this call— on which there must be placed a pecullar construction, whatever may be the occasion of this. ‘When I was a boy we used to hunt rabbits, Frequently some of us used to start to congregate together and bufld fences, and they used to start in a V shape, and at the end we had & trap, and we used to get rabbits as well as we could run them into that V shaped trap, and get, sometimes a good many, sometimes not many; and as I read this article in The Evening Bee I wondered if this was a rab- bit trap. (Applause) And I want to read it now to you for your consideration, and whatever I have to say here this evening is sald in perfect good faith and with per- fect fairness, and with the desire that our publican ticket shall be plause. From the audlence: catch votes, and not rabbits” Loud ap-| plause) This editorial—you will bear with me, as it is short: THE LINE OF DEMARKATION. The rank and file of the republicans of Douglas county earnestly desire the ob- iteration of factional difficulties that have the party in this country ~ and enabled the democratic minority to occupy mearly all the im-| portant political positions within the gift | of the people. In striving for conclliation | and harmony the party must, however, | not sacrifice the public interest or | jeopardize the success of its nominees in | he impending campalgn by lgnoring the | two essential " prerequisites—competency | and honesty—as passports to publlc an favor and public office. 1 endose that wentence. Here is the are rightfully entitied to have. The meet- ings that I have attended remind me a great deal of the experience meetings th: I was in the habit of attending when a boy, When I first went into trade I was connected with the Methodlst persuasion and we were in the habit of holding ex- perience meetings, s0 as to prepare for revivals. To night I hope we will have a genuine old-fashioned Methodist revival (A wolce: “Amen.” Cheers and laughter), I do hope that If there have been any difterences in the past, and there must have been some differences, that they will be forgotten and that we will go from this hall as republicans and not as republica; or “antl-machine.” I Byron E. Burbank. Fellow Republicans and Fellow Citizens: Had 1 chosen the thme and the occasion this meeting could have assembled for this purpose, I would have selected the time tmmediately following the coming cogvention. However, being one of ihe numerous republicans in this community, trouble: | Harmony does not necessarlly mean that every member of the party stands pledged | to the support of men disqualified for the positions ef honor and trust by indefensible records or disqualified for the duties that {would devolve upon them by lack of ca- city. Here is the line of demarkation. | To solidity and unify the party in s of an unscratched ticket th didates on the ticket must be clean, honest and Capa- ble. Hackneyed pledges of supporting yel- |low dogs that are tagged with & Cobven- | tion label ‘will not insure their election. Nominations of unfit candidates tend to drag down the whole ticket and cause the defeat of candidates who otherwise would be sure of electipn. | Now, I would ltke to ask at this time of | the aistinguished editor of The Omaha Bee, ! who carries the consclence of his paper with him, whether or ot that editorfal, written upon the eve of this meeting, participated in, I belleve, by the men who are here present In the best of good faith, was fn- | tended, or does not, or purports to mean, or | can be construed to mean, that after our republican county convention has adjourned | majority. {more in the mext fifty years than it has the ticket that is nominated in the coming election. It s not right to say that with a full 2,000 majority we should leave the best offices In the gift of the people in the charge and control of the democratic party. There s nothing fn the whole history of the democratic party which warrants them In assuming charge of the discharge of a single trust which the people have to give and which can be given to the re- publican party. We do not quarrel with the personnel or the individuals, but the republican party is fairly in the majority. With its vote solidly and honestly ocast every offics in the gift of the people In this community will find a safe officer In the ranks of the republican party. (Applause.) The republican party has had too long and too honorable a career to be side- tracked in a metropolitan city like Omaha for the feeling of any one or any dozen or any hundred repubiicans that stay in our ! community. This so-called factional fhel- ing In this city, that, when the convention has adjourned, leaves the nominees of the convention open to be stricken down is despicable in every respect and can not be Jjustified from any standpoint. (Applause.) 80 that here In this meeting of republicans, having for its fundamental purpose the harmonizing of the different elements in the party, If every man will carry into. full force and effect that which I presume he will pledge himself to do this evening, and use his Influence to that end, the republican ticket will be elected in this city, in this county and in this state by a very large 80, I thank ¥ou, gentlemen, for your con- sideration. (Applause.) Mayor Moores. Mr. Chalrman and Fellow Republicans You must not expect me to make any ex- tended remarks tonight, because I am not physically able to do so, but I want to con- fine myself to that great and glorious word harmony, with a blg H. Brother Burbank said that If he had a cholce of when har- mony would take effect it would be after the mext convention. If I had any cholce when harmony should take effect it would have been about last April, right in this hall. (Applause and laughter) 1 have al- ways been for the republican ticket after the nominations. In '9%5 I was foolish enough to run for a third term as clerk of the dfstrict court—and I got it In the neck! I didn’t sulk, but T went out and did what I could ta help my opponent, Albyn Frank, and I went out of politics. I supposed that 1 was out of politics, A year went by and the boys remembered my republicanism and that I was always for the ticket after the nomination, and they gave me the nomi- natlon for mayor. I was elected. Three years rolled around, and 1 was nominated again, and 1 was elected. Three years roll along, and without harmony I was nomi- nated and elected. (Applause) Now I am ready to bury the hatchet. I am ready to accept any republican nominated at the coming convention, no matter how much sugar 1 have got to put in the pill to get it down, I will swallow it (applause), I pre- sume. What is the use of our throwing away all of the best offices in the county just because we do not ‘want the other fellow to play in our back yard? It is all foolishness. Let us get together, and, as it is said, “beat the common enemy.” I have got to be very careful in what I say about the common enemy, because it has been a mighty good enemy to me. (Applause) But, as Grant sald, “Let us have peace, If we have got to fight for it.” (Applause.) Gentlemen, I can't talk any more. I feel feeble, but I will tell you one thing: You will always know where Frank fs—he is“always with the ticket, after it is nominated, and don't forget it. I will be with you this time. Thank you, (Much applause.) The Chairman: There s no Question where the mayor is. He certalnly is golng to be with us. (Applause.) A, W. Jefteris.- Fellow Citizens: I for one love and revere the history of the republiean party. 1 for one owe alleglance and believe In the great principles of our party. I love to think that back in the years of 'S0 the backwoodsmen came forth in Iliinols and took up the cause of republicanism. Abraham Lincoln loved his fellow men. He belleved in a government of the people, by the people and for the people. He volced the sentiments of the men of that period and they rallied around him and he became the first great leader of the repub- lican party. From his day to this the republican party has been a great agency in the freedom of government that has affected no{ dnly this nation, but all nations of the world. Abraham Lincoln and the republican party believed in human rights and in human liberty, and under their leadership the shackles of 4,000,000 of slaves were broken and the ballot was handed to them. The republican party has at all times kept in touch with the thought and the sentiment of the people and for that reason it has been the great party of progress, The republican party has been a great factor In.the dissemination of In- telligence. It has fostered schools, en- dowed universities and lald the broad primary work for. the young American training and education that they may cope with the questions of the world, and one of the great teachings of the great universities is independence of action. Still, at the present time the younger gen- eration of the United States is not at lib- erty, 1s not willing, to follow everything, no matter where it may lead them, We want something to say. Every republican ticket must necessarily go before the bar of public opinfon, and if It Is going before the bar of public opinion and expects the public to support the republican par rally to the support of its standard bear- ers, each one of those republicans must be consulted in the making up of the ticket. (Applause.) Individuality s going to establish itselt in the past. We see it in Wisconsin, we see it in Illinols and Indiana and other ates—in Minnesota, and likewise in Iowa. Feeling that that s the spirit that is actu- ating the spirit of the American people, be- leving that that is the cau caused the defeat of the republican party in Douglas county in the past—the two fac- tions in the party, the rank and file, have come to the conclusion that they have nothing to say, and therefore are not bound by what they do. The rules have been adopted by the central committes and placed before the free citizens of this county. 1 have confidence in the members of the republican party. I feel that they know in their own minds who they want, and which has | that they will register that decree when they have a chance at 'tiis coming primary election. 'All I hope and trust is and what I belleve will produce absolute barmony, and successtul election this fall of the en- |1 he sees fit to scratch any man on that | ticket he feels at perfect lberty to do so, | And 1 shall expect when he comes on he tire republican ticket, is that those fat- ing with the antl-machine wing and those identified with the machine republicans will could not well refrain from signing the ' will say something In regard to the mean- keep their hands off the slate In this con- call that was presented to me for the pur- pose of assembling here this evening in that we might bring about, if pos- ll'(l'u.‘lfl-d-rflwhlu’ of the republican pdrty of county. We are all satisfied every nomination and en- made for the fll- In this distriot, In the ‘In‘ of those words in the editorial which I have just read. (Applause. Volce from audience: “Good.") Irrespective, however, of any position | which he may take in the columns of his | paper, or personally—irrespeqts of the | position which, any republican’ may tak elther for or against any set of candidates, vention and let the people make their cholee. (Applause, loud and prolonged ) 1 would ke to see it tried, and I would like every one tonight to take that thought close to bis home, dnd remember that the republican party of Douglas county does not sit upon the platform here. (Turning to gentlemen seated on platform. Ap- county, in| I myselt stand for the candidates that are plause.) Let us remember that aroynd the state and | nominated and shall stand for and l\lypurl:fll'dd. throughout this city, Bouth Omaha soul, all have some objective place for good, courageous men of the republican party. Let us listen to, them and follow them. (Applause.) W. J. Commell. Mr. Ghairman and Fellow Republicans of Omaha: As Grover Cleveland once sald, “We are confronted with a condition, arkl not a theory.” While it is true we have this grand old republican party, which my friend who just took his seat so splendidly eulogized; while it 1s true we have these great, grand, glorious leaders of the past and present; while it is true that Omaha can roll up, where the party stands united, a majority of at least 1,600 for the repub- lean ticket, and while it is true that the county of Douglas can do equally as well, we look across to the left, to that fine building on the eminence, and find it filled with democrats. (Voice, “‘Who done 1t?") Who put them there? Cross-purposes among republicans 1s what did it. If we stood united, it would never have occurred. That applies to the county court house. It applies as well in A measure to the city hall. The city hall 18 in part filled with democrats. and what caused that? The disloyalty of the republicans. Now, then, what we ought to do is to quit fighting among ourselves and present a solld and united front to the enemy, and then we will elect oyr entire ticket. (Applause.) It we are golng to have harmony, we must not disagree too much. I cannot help disagreelng a little with my friend Burbank along the same line as regards the matter of the time of holding harmony meetings. T agree with Mayor Moores on that point. It Is an easy thing to be in favor of harmony and elect a ticket, if you or your friends happen to be on that ticket, but if the other fellow wins out, it is quite another question. What we ought to do is to do as we are doing to- night. To get together and talk these matters over. Settle these past differences, 1f we can, and go and elect the ticket that will be nominated at the next convention, as will certainly be the result if we only present a solid front to the enemy. (A voice: “The gophers will do it if the machine WilL" Laughter.) 3 It is suggested that we have a judicial ticket. As I understand it, it is not in order to canvas candldates that are to come before the conventions. I think it s proper, however, for me to refer to our distinguished citizen, Hon. John L, Web- ster, the next vice president of the United States. (Applause.) 1 think it is all right to refer to the splen- ald judiclal ticket that we have nominated and bespeak for it the united support of the republican party. I am glad to hear every- one who has preceded me express their de- sires to do that. What have we on the other side? We have a sort of mixed-up combination, that is, neither one thing or the other. Neither fish, flesh or fowl. I have a great deal of admiration for a good, clean democrat. I have a good deal of ad- miration for a true-blue republican, but not for the man, who claims to be a repub- lican, who will accept a democratic nomina~ tion and run on that ticket for the pur- pose of beating a republican. (Loud plause.) With regard to that, I feel a g« deal as the Irishman did that went into the restaurant and asked the walter for some- thing to eat. The walter brought a plate of hash and set it down In front of him. The son of the Emerald Isle, daintily turned it over with his fork, and said: “What is that?” “That is hash,” said the waiter. “Take it away,” sald the Irishman, “and let them that chewed it ate it." So I say, let them that put up that mongrel ticket elect It. Lot that little coterle of lawyers who undertook to dictate to the people of Douglas county, let them, If they can, elect that ticket. Let us present a silod front and work up this feeling of harmony. It 18 a very nice thing, and an easy thing for my friend Moores to get up here and talk: for harmony. It Is a little easier for him than for some of the rest of us, (Laughter.) At the first harmony meeting there was present Mr. Hunter, Mr. Bruning and my- self. I want to say these two gentlemen, | and perhaps it will not be charged up a: being egotistical to say I joined them in the expression, regardiess of what has hap- pened in the past, we were each and all in favor of working up a sentiment for peace among the republicans of Douglas county without regard to whether its can- didates were machine or anti-machine men. ‘We should work up, cultivate and bring about results that we are all looking for, recognize the right of republicans to differ among themselves, up to a certain point. Up to the point of the meeting and action of the convention. Then we should all be republicans and stand by the nom- inees of our party. The nominees as deter- mined by that convention. I may favor a certain party for sheriff; you may favor some one else. That is all right to work up & sentiment for that man and make a combination, or slate, If you can, in order to bring about the nomination of your man, the man whom you regard as the most worthy and capable, and those you most desire to see fill the office, but when the convention has spoken and the candi- dates before that convention have become the nominees of the republican party, then they should recelve our united support, and If we will only work along those lines we will see good results. I am glad to see.such a large represent- ative republican gatherjng here tonight Not republicans of one faction or republ cans of another faction. We must be one and recognise no faction. We have the anti-machine, which is really another name for a machine. We all know that you can- not reach party success or success In any line, a church or anything else, without machine. You have to have some organization, and when you have organization, that organization Is nothing more than & machine, but the machine shall not be arbitary, but should |work to the end of electing the reubii- can ticket, after the convention has acted, and I come to this meeting, for the pur- pose of working up that sentiment in that direction. (Applause.) H. C. Brome. Mr. Chalrman, Fellow Republicans and Gentlemen: This is the first harmony meet- ing I have attended. I have not had the pleasure of attending any of the preliminary meetings, and 1 do not know just what has occurred at those meetings. I came here tonight and I am here now, on the supposition, and with the understandin that this meeting was called for the pu pose of promoting the interest of the tepublican party in Douglas county, and if possible secure the election of the county candidates this fall. 1 suppose I have been invited to say something, because I ha been somewhat actively identified with what is known as the anti-machine wing of the republican party. (Applause.) 1 hope in what I may say that I will say nothing that is at all out of keeping with what I understand to be the primary object and purpose of this meeting, and the advancement of the republican party and the election of its candidates. I have this to say, he , if there are any republicans in the city of Omaha, and Deuglas county, who ought to be in favor of harmony, it is the wing of the party that Is denominated the anti-machine. We are about to determine who' the candidates of the party shall be, by a method that we from the beginning have insisted® was right and proper. We are about to de- | i going to the iIndividual voters and letting them express their opinion. (Applause.) We have complained heretofore, and we have suggested that factions existed in the party. Criminations and recriminations have occurred because it was possible for & purchasable delegation, In & certain re- glon, to be traded in a convention for certain candidates. (Applause, a volce “Good.") We have complained of such things. We have sald that they were wrong. We have #ald that they did not tend to bulld up the republican party and make young men respect It and want to be numbered among its membership. We have got rid of that system and adopted one that calls the in- dividual member of the party into the place where he may exercise his judgment and say who he wants. And, certainly, if there is anybody that ought to pledge support to the nominees of the convention, made up in that way, the anti-machine wing of the republican party in Douglas county ought to do it. I think I speak for that wing. I think I speak for the united voters of that wing of the party, when I say to you, here tonight, that when the primaries are over, and the candidates aro selected, {t will not make the slightest difference whether they are men who have been heretofore known as machine men or not, it they are the cholce of the repub- lican voters at the primaries, they will have the united support of the anti-ma- chine voters. (Loud applause.) A word more with respect to this matter. The antl-machine members of the republi- can party do not arrogate to themselves the right to say whether a candidate is Lonest or reputable. They leave that to the voter, where it belongs, because it is not possible to suppose that the majority of the republicans of Douglas county, un- trammeled in any way, except by the ex- ercise of thelr will and judgment will go to the polls and vote for dishonest and unit men, and they cannot do it this year, we will all agree, because yow can take the list of candidates whose names are filed, and there s not a dishonest or disreputable one of the whole primary ticket to be voted for. (Applause.) There is not the slightest excuse for any member of the republican party to com- plain of the action of the people, the mem- | bers of the party, the privates in the ranks, at the primary election. 1 desire to say for the antl-machine republicans, that whatever has happened in the past, and nothing has happened in the past that we are here to apologize for (applause,) whatever may have happened In the past and whatever may happen in the future, we are In good faith at this meeting, in favor of harmony and pledge ourselves to subport the ticket that shall be nominated at the primaries regardiess of who it may be. (Loud applause.) E. J Mr. Chairman and Fellow Republican: When the call is for harmony I always attune my volce to sing. (Applause) I object a little bit to being classified, be- capse I do not know of a single faction in the republican party that I have not fought with when some other faction was fighting against the republican ticket. (Applause.) But, as I recollect, the last time I had the honor and pleasure of appearing in this hall I seemed to be almost the only stump speaker, outside of the candidates, that they could find for the republican ticket. I feel that the old play expressed it when it said: “When they had agreed upon the stage, thelr unanimity is wonderful.” As & matter of fact, gentlemen, we have had considerable trouble in this county and I am not certaln that it Is all over. (Pleasantry.) But I notice that we have reached & point where the rank and file of republicans are tired of knifing and it must be stopped. (Applause.) 1 have enough confidence in the ability and shrewdness of politiclans and know that they all see the writing on the wall (Laughter.) President Roosevelt is prac- tically assured of the nomination for presi- dent. For him to state who he desires to be a candidate for vice president would be impolitic and unfair, but he has sald that the candidate for vice president should come from the west, and that is the one thing that gives us great hope that our distinguished citizen will be the next vice president of the United States. (Applause.) That remark of President Roosevelt is considered fit and proper, because as one of the leaders, or the great leader of the republican Party, he s giving advice and recognizing localities somewhat In selecting the man who 18 to run with him for that important position. In the memorable Chi- cago convention when Roscoe Conkling marshaled the forces, and Grant, after th contest in that convention, and Garfield was nominated for president, the friends of General Garfield nominated Chester A. Ar- thur for vice president, because they deemed it good policy to say to the minority in that convention that their services were desired, that their efforts in behalf of the party would be appreclated. ‘We have adopted in this city a new form of primary. Thus, all of us who belleve in & popular government must believe that the effect of this system of selecting candi- dates will be that good men will be se- lected, but we must remember that we are not all politiclans. Cornish. after his competitor has succeeded, thank- ing his friends for the support and pledg- ing himself to the ticket. We usually have, as my friend Burbank sald, such a friendly, harmonious meeting at the end of the con- vention. It was only at the last convention that when that time came, one-half of the convention wus not there. (Applause.) The politiclan knows what Is the proper thing to do, and they do it, but it behooves us all who are here present to remember that the great body of voters of the republican party are not trained In that manner. How many people here know all of the candidates before the coming primary? I venture the statement that there is not a single candidate that we will vote for who has 2,00 acquaintances in the city whom he can call by name. The people have to vote for these candidates on their reputa- tion and on the statements that are made for or against them by others. I expect for ‘myself to prepare a slate of my own and T expect to go forth and try and eleot my friends as the men whom I desire to see nominated. That is & part of the duty of the politician. It is a pleasure to me. 1 have done it for years and shall continue to do so, but I feel that every politician, every man active in the affairs of the party, owes & duty to himself and party at-this time to control and allay phejudice rather than to create it; to bulld up a sentiment that we owe a duty which we should per- torm. I have had for myself a simple rule that has always guided me satis- factorlly when tempted to estray. That rule is that when I participate in the primary of a party I agree to give my suc- cexstul opponent the same cordial support that I would have expected from him ani his friends had my favorite candidate suc- coeded. (Applause) It is a matter of agreement. It is a ‘matter of good faith, and If we ocould only begin here, at this harmony meeting, to spread sentiment through the city that is what every honorable man should do who participates in our primaries; that it is a duty, an im- plied contragt that he should: fulfill, then we would do much to bring &bout harmony. ‘We should take into consideration some ] \ A politician is trained, | from the cradle, to get up in a convention, | other things. When we have had the con. vention system, we have considered what the country precincts wanted. We con sidered what South Omaha wanted. We considered the different needs of the city and we have made our candidates so as to strengthen the party in all a re. We have given nationalities npftn - tation upon the ticket, not because & forelgn born citisen as such is entitled to nomination, but because the forelgner takes a certaln pride In any of their countrymen who is honored by the public at large, and that when we honor a member of their nationality by nominating him to some im- portant office we increase his influence, 8o that he can be more useful to the party. We have always considered these things In conventions, but there is danger that the great body of republicans will not con- sider these matters, unless all stump speakers from now on until election try to teach the publie, If you will pardon my assumption that a stump speaker can teach anybody anything. They should endeaver to teach ‘the public, that the locality of the candidates, the interest that is back of them, the men that they will be induded to support by placing certain candidates on the ticket, the occupation, Whether laborer or business min, so that 'the ticket will not be composed of any one class of men. All these should be considered at the time the republican casts his ballot. That should be a matter of argument in the various club meetings that may be held. In that same connection comes the fac- tions. I was In the last conventlon. After there was left but one-half of the conven- tlon, the majority remained to nominate, two of the principal offices and four of the candidates for councll, were named from the opposition faction that had left the hall. This was done because it was a matter of policy, to show, no matter how much the dissatisfaction might be, that the republicans, the responsible wing that was left, was willing to recognize factions in the Interest of harmony. (Applause) That may have resulted disastrously to Mr. Con- nell and a few others at that time, but the principle was right and will win, and the fact that we have such a large representa- tive gathering as we have tonight of influ- ential republican managers shows that we are getting together. There should be no secret organization with a view of knifing the ticket and defeating the candidates and injuring the party. This sentiment is grow- Ing, as it should have grown yi ago, and in this next election we will have a united party, and the victory to which we are entitled. I thank you. W. A. Saunders. Mr. Chalrman, Fellow Republicans and Citizens: This 1s one of the most harmont- ous meetings that I have attended. If this was a debate some would speak in favor of harmony and some against harmony, but it is so harmonious tonight that there is no dissenting opinfon. It is like the sub- Ject which was brought up in a debating | *" soclety that broke up that soclety. The questién was: ‘“Resolved, That we a in favor of good government.” It broke up the soclety for the reason that there was no negative. S0 with us, we are all in favor of harraony. That s a popular subject upon which we can all speak. It we had had harmony for the last three or four years the democrats would not flll the city hall and the court house and other county positions. The republican party is always magnanimous. It is always willing to concede o the democrats certain privi- leges. I think we will agree that they may fill the county jail. fore the war, a close fisted, tight old planter, had in his possession and claimed to own certain s'aves, but he did not half feed them. They were uneasy, restless and fighting among themselves and disconcerted. He called Uncle Mose up and sald, “Uncle Mose, I am getting tired of this fighting and this dissension, this quarreling among you. I want this to stop. What I want is more harmony.” The 0ld colored gentleman said that “what we , more hominy." This is what the anti-machine people want. They have not been recognized in a politi- cal sense. They want more hominy, in the way of recognition. I think according to the recognition among the speakers that it is the intention and desire that harmony shall prevail throughout the entire county. The republican party is the party of ha: mony, and made up of intelligent people, people who know how to vote and know their respective candidates and who are competent to judge without the assistance of any one. I do not know of any one of the candidates who are dishonest and who would not make a good officer if nomi- plause.) So long as the make-up of the body politic is as it is we will have the different elements to satisfy. As Mr. Cor- nish suggested, you have to do it with the different nationalities in making up the ticket. I remember once-in & eounty con- vention it was—I was present as a delegate. It was in the days of Mike Lee—you all re- member Mike— (From the audience, “Mike ain't dead yet.") Kvery place upon the ticket had been fllled but one. We had a German, we had an Irishman, we had & Bohemian, we had & Pole. We had every nationality on earth but one. Finally Mike §0t up and sald, “Mr. Chairman, we are making a mistake. We are wakenin' the ticket. There is one element of the repube llean party that la not represented, and that s the American.” (Applause and laughter.) “Now," he says, “there is just one place left on the ticket, and I nominate Mr. mith to that office. He was born in the United States. I believe that he stands ‘well with the American people, and I think that he will add strength to the ticket if we put him on"” (Applause) Now, we hope that In the future of the republican party in this county and state it will not be necessary to harmonize elements or factions from this time on. But In that connection I want to say this much now: That If you expect to have harmony in the republican partyt you have got to exercise the utmost good faith. Every republican, every element in the republican party, must exerclee good faith towards fellow republl- cans, and If you do not do this, If you Inject into the political situation in this county one element of bad faith, you will destroy the effort of all your attempt at harmony. It you do not at this time attempt to do something in the way of being fair to the candidates and representatives of the dif- ferent elements of the party, the element which ignores these rights will be charged with bad faith. If we are going into this campalgn with a united front, we have got to be fair to begin with. We have got to make the machine broad enough and big enough to take in all the candidates. (Ap- plause.) I take issue with the remark made by Mr. Connell tonight that we have met to sottle our differences. We are here to bury our differences! (Applause.) You remem- ber that in the heat of the first free silver campalgn the question was how badly Mr. Bryan should be beaten, and we used to tell the story about the man who had an obnoxious mother-in-law, and she had gone Away on a visit, and he suddenly recelved a telegram which read, ‘Your mother-in- law is dead. Shall we embalm, burn or bury?' He wired back, “Embalm, burn and bury. Take no chances. (Applause and laughter) Now, that is the action which as republica; ‘we ought to take tonight. Don't let us spend any more time talking about what has been—that is past. Let us talk about what we should be—that is before us. (Applause) They that the only benefit which we de- rive from the past Is the experience for the future. Let us look back upon the past and profit by it In that light, and, for God's sake, let us stop talking about it! (Applause.) 1 remember once when I was crossing the Atlantic T saw a very distinguished look- Ing man leaning over the stern of the ship, He seemed to be enjoying the wavi but he ruddenly turned and sald to the men at his side: “Let us go to the bow of the boat. I don't care so much about where I have been—I want to know where I am going.” (Applause.) That is what we want to know about the republican party in this county. - Prejudice must have no place in onr political campal; in the future if we are going to have the best resuits. T do not cure whether that prejudice is for the machine (so-called) or against it. Person- alities from this time on should bs tabooed, except only as they relate to the ftness of the candidates before the convention. (Applause.) We all have our own views, We may not all be satisfled with the result, but isn't it likely to be true that the ma- Jority of my party know more than ¥ know, be I ever so great? (Applause.) Principle—the principles of the party should control and regulate the manage- ment of the party. We are not a party without principles. We are fighting today an enemy so disorganized that it cannot find its own principles, and if it did it would not recognize them. When it came to the question of identification the witnesses would be innumerable on both sides of the controversy. The republican party stands for principles that will bear disoussion, Let us turn our attention to them. Let us leave personalities out of the campalgn, and we will have results that never have been achieved in this county and nated. We all may have our chofce. I have mine and you yours. But what we want now is simply that we have no dis tinction after the convention, after the nominations are made. There has been no remedy suggested as to how harmony should be oblained. I do not know that I am able to tell you, but perhaps I might make one or two suggestions. I would suggest, as stated by one of the previous speakers, that there be no slate put up. Let each fndividual republican vote as chooses for the meveral offices. (Applause. 1 suggest further, whether it be one fac- tion or the other, that there be no coerclon of any kind for the purpese of preventing them from being voted for at the coming primaries. Let every man have a chance. These rules were adopted by the repub- lican party for the purpose of giving each individual republican an opportunity to ex- press his choice as he sees fit for the sev- eral ofces. Let us not at this time attempt to nullify these rules by attempting to get togather and put up a slate. Let us be repub- licarls and stand shoulder to shoulder and present a solid phalanx to the enemy. We | have a majority in this county of ever 1,000, and let the democrats have nearly all the | best offices. Let the antis treat the ma- chine falr and the machine people treat the antis fair. There should be honesty in politics, in business and in soctal circles. | Some people say this man s an honest man in business, but you cannot trust him in politics, The kind of men we want are men who are honest In business and politics, and men whom we rely upon. You gentlemen here who are posted and know the several candidates and know the duties that devolve upon them have sufficient in- telligence to vote your sentiments for the proper party to fil the respective offices. John L. Kennmedy. Mr. Chairman, and Everyone Seeking Harmony: 1 was thinking as I sat here how blessed it is for bréthren to dwell to- gether in unity, especially as they have not done it for & long time. When I came to the hall tonight, I looked et the lst of speakers and asked what I was expected to represent, the machine or anti-machine forces, 1 was assured that I was expected to speak my sentiments—that they simply state. It means, If you carry this into- effect, .that you will have & higher degree of efficlency in public office, because, while I do not clalm that all the brains are In the republican party, I do claim that the republican party furnishes the brain power that moves the destinies of the nation and the state. (Applause) If the republican party cannot find men In It —officlals who will administer the affairs of this county and this eity in the highest de- gree of efMclency~then they are not to be found in the state or in the county. Think of It! Talk about harmony! Do you know that there is one man in this ity who can do more for harmony in the re- publican party than any other hundred men, and that is Mr., Bdward Rosewater! (Applause.) There is not & man within the sound of my volce tonight who does mot recognise his capacity, his untiring energy and his power— (applause)—who does not belleve that If from this time on his great abllity, his influence and his great paper will leave personalities out and stand for the principles and the nominees of the party, we will have a republican party ia this city that will sweep everything before it. (Applause) Talk about newspapers! Let The Omaha Bee expend its energies along strictly partisan lines and we will have no more free allver heresies and not very much democrgcy in this state. (Ap- plause.) We have in this coming campatgn & president whose name is a power in this western country. Let us hold him up, and in holding him up we will hold up the | highest interests of the American people. (Applause) We have among us a candi date for vice president, Hon. John L. Webster. (Applause.) One of the greatest men the United Btates has known: one of the greatest men the nation is destined to know, and if we are successful in placing him upon the ticket for vice president of the United Btates. (Applause. 8o muoh applause that stenographer could not hear the speaker.) If we do that, I do not propose to ap- pear in any meeting apologizing for the nominees of my party. I woulda't need to. Gentlegen, my time Is up. I want simply to | with you one other thought: used me to fill in. I think, however, that most of you who know me know that I will speak my sentinfents regardless of the pur- pose for which 1 was placed on the Mst, (Applause.) 1 belleve in the necessity for & machine, I have never known & great party, I have never known & great movement, to run without & machine. Looking to the local machine, 1 have never had the pleasure of riding o it, but I have been run over by it (Laughter.) It is not the machine I object to, but I want to see the machine In Doug- las county big enough and broad enough to carry the entire republican party. (Ap- The great fepublican party, which from fts birth has given this nation all of the prosperity it has ever known, s today confronted with as many Important gues- tions as ever tested the wisdom of any government. The nation has entered on & new era. Innumerable problems relsting to our new territories’ are to be solved. Let us not waste our time quarreling among ourselves, but let us get together and stand shoulder to shoulder, helping to solve these prablems; helping to hold up the hands of one of the greatest presi- dents this nation has ever known. (Ap- plause.) Let us contribute the energy, the wisdom that we bave to the national eause,