THE ALLIANCE -INDEPENMM
4
CAMPAIGN
MEETINGS
A Series of the Most Brilliant and Suc
cessful Bailies Ever Held in
Nebraska.
A EEVIEW OF THE CAMPAIGN.
The Independent Champions Have Been
Victorious in Every Joint
Debate.
Good Words for Candidates.
So many and so great have been the
independent meetings during the latter
part of the campaign that we have
found it utterly impossible to report
but few of them and those but briefly.
Such an unbroken series of brilliant
and successful rallies we believe were
never hold in the state.
To begin with, the joint debates be
tween independent and republican can
didates have invariably drawn large
crowds, and almost as invariably have
the independents been largely in the
majority in those crowds. The repub
lican papers of the state have made
persistent and labored efforts to report
grand victories for their champions in
all these debates. In fact they have
made themselves ridiculous by these
efforts. Their stereotyped phrases
have become tiresome even to their
own partisans.
We have used every means in our
reach to ascertain the truth regarding
these joint discussions. And we ex
press no more than the simple truth
when we say that in not a single joint
discussion has an independent cham
pion been worsted, while in at least
nine cases out of ten the independents
have achieved signal triumphs.
The independent champions have
shown the justice of their cause, and
the sophistry of their opponents; they
have shown their sincerity and earnest
ness while their opponents have
shown insincerity and hypocrisy. The
independents have aroused storms of
genuine enthusiasm, while the republi
cans have aroused but little enthusiasm
and that was mostly "made to order."
Nothing has so clearly demonstrated
the weakness and . helplessness of the
republican cause as the methods they
have adopted to get crowds. In all
parts of the state, they have organized
what one of our correspondents has
very aptly namedflying squadrons,"
that is clubs c of republicans who go
from place to place to swell the crowds
and furnish ready-made enthusiasm.
In some cases these flying -squadrons
have cons' sted largely of the hoodlum
element and they have lost their party
votes by iheir disgraceful actions.
In all parts of the state the railroads
have furnished free transportation for
republicans. In some cases they have
had free passes. In others that formal
ity has been dispensed with and a re
publican badge has peen sufficient to
pass the wearer.
A few days ago several independent
for the sake of a "picnic" donned re
publican badges, and took a- free ride
all the way from Neligh to Lincoln to
swell a republican torch-light process
ion. A reporter of this paper not long
ago interviewed a member of one of
the flying squadrons who lives in Lin
coln. He said when they went out to
rallies at outside towns, the captain of
the club would get passes for theciowd.
On one occasion they had only fifty
passes and the crowd numbered seventy
five. They all chipped in to pay for
for the extra twenty-five. These in
dividual instances are cited
merely as illustrations. In no case has
there been any denial of this free tran
sportation of republicans.
Another thing that has been a source
of weakness to the republicans and of
strength to the independents, is the
mode of warfare adopted by the former.
They have made relentless warfare on
tho re form movement. They have de
pended on brutal abuse and senseless
ridicule. They have indulged in gross
unfairness and misrepresentation of
the independents. Instead of appealing
to reason, and patriotism, they have
hurled insults at tho people. At the
same time, they have carefully ayoided
any attacks on their old-time enemies,
the democrats. On the other hand the
independents have appealed to reason
and a sense of justice. They have
treated their opponents with marked
courtesy and fairness. In a'l cases
they have taken hold of the real issues
with deep earnestness, and discussed
them with marked ability.
Aside from the joint debates, a vast
number of great meetings have been
held. The independent candidates for
congress have made brilliant cam
paigns and have been tireless in their
efforts to arouse and educate the peo
ple on national issues. The candidates
on the state ticket have all been in the
field almost incessantly talking to the
people on statq and national issues.
And they have done able and effective
service.
The candidates have been seconded
by a corps of as able orators as ever
poured forth burning words in defence
of a noble cause. W. L. Greene of
Kearney, who for thrilling elo
quence and convincing logic has
no superior in the United states; Rich
ard Trevellick, that grand bid radical
whose words of fire burn through the
gauzy sophistries and lay bare the na
ked rugged truth; Carl Brown wbo in
his peculiar way has done a work of
education that no one else has equalled;
honest John H. Powers so well known
and loved by the people; Hon. E. C.
Rewick whose fearless exposure of
republican rottenness at Lincoln has
won more votes than any other inci
dent of the campaign; J, W. Edgerton,
W. S. Prickett and a dozen more whom
lack of space forbids us to mention.
The candidates and the speakers
have made a noble fight. The state
committee has worked hard and faith
fully. One thing is needed to con
summate the work, and that is for the
voters" to do their duty on election day.
GENERAL WEAVER'S MEETING-
The exceedingly unfavorable weather
has of courso militated against the suc
cess of General Weaver's meetings this
week. Notwithstanding that, the meet
ings at Norfolk and Grand Island have
been very successful. And the meet
ing at Lincoln to-day (Wednesday) is
the greatest that has been here for two
years.
We would be glad to give our readers
a full report, but it cannot be done
without delaying the paper, and we do
not wish to do that. We are very much
afraid this issue will fail to reach our
subscribers till after election anyway,
as report' are coming in r from many
places that independent mail matter is
being held back.
Don't fail to put a cross opposite the
name of every Weaver and Field elec
tor." ;,,,'K . . - ' '
SOMETHING CROOKED-
Two weeks ago wo gave a write-up of
the illegal compromise effected by the
state officers with the defaulting trcas
urer of Valley county and his bonds
men. We stated that a settlement was
illegally made for $1,247 less than the
amount judgment had been obtained
for. The amount of tho judgment was
$4,033.50. Tho amount received by the
state $3,356.28. These aro tho figures
as we published them. But tho gcod
people of Valley county aro not satisfied
with this statement. They insist that
no such sum was paid by the bonds
men. .
Hon. E. J. Clements, a republican,
who was county attorney when the suit
against the bondsmen was first institut
ed stated to a Alliance-Independent
reporter that he know personally that
the bondsmen borrowed $2,500 at the
Fi-st National bank of Ord; that $600
of this went to Ilobbins and Babcock,
their attorneys, and that the balance
was used to pay all other expenses and
settle the judgment. Two of the bonds
men, one a democrat, and tho other an
independent, say they aro positive none
of the money ever reached tho state
treasury. Clements is ono of the best
lawyers, as well as ono of tho most re
liable citizens of Valley county and h?s
word goes a long way with all who
know him.
This matter first came to our atten
tion through a letter written by D.
McCall of Valley county. He wrote
that the amount paid by tho bondsmen
to satisfy the judgment was believed to
be $1,800. This harmonizes with the
statement of Clements.
Shortly after receiving this letter,
we went to Auditor Benton and asked
for information concerning the settle
ment. He said as near as he could re
member tho judgment was settled for
$1,800. Then turning to a clerk , he
asked him to look up the records of the
case. The clerk did as directed and
found among tho papers a receipt for
$3,356.28 signed by J. E. Hill, treasurer.
This we took for conclusive evidence
that the matter had been compromised
for that amount. But taking all the
facts together, Auditor Benton's first
remark is certainly a strong confirma
tion of the position taken by the Valley
county people.
Wo can get no nearer than this to
the truth of the matter at present. But
we propose to probe this matter to the
bottom. Meanwhile, if the state offi
cers concerned, desire to clear their
reputations of suspicion they have an
excellent opportunity.
It seems thatons W. H. Michaels, an
attachee of Senator Manduson, has
come all the way from Washington to
make a campaign against McKeighan.
It seems that M ichaels left Nebrask a
few years ago, and left behind him a
loud-smelling reputation. Now a num
ber of papers are so unkind as to give
his reputation an airing. It Is very
disagreeable to the olfactories of the
people, but the independents can cer
tainly stand it if the republicans can,
for it is making hundreds of votes for
McKeighan.
Tobe Castor is working the Vif
quain boom to beat Dech. When the
returns come in Dech will be 4,000
ahead of the Frenchman, and 1.500
ahead of the Hungarian.
Allen FELDhas always been a tool
of the corporations, banks and rings.
The voters of this district should put a
period to his political career next Tues-day.
VOTE TOE HIATT.
There is danger that In tho political
excitement of election day, some inde
pendents may lose sight of ono very im
portant office, that of stato superinten
dent of public instruction, hence we
desire to call particular attention to it.
The following are good reasons why
independents should work just as hard
for the election of Prof. Hiatt, as for
any other candidate:
First Mr. Hiatt Is by all odds tho
ablest and best fitted candidate to fill
the office. Ho is a gentleman and a
scholar. He is a man of originality and
energy, a successful and progressive
educator.
Second He has been In the field
making an ablo and very effective can
vass for tho election of our whole ticket
and therefore deserves the hearty sup
port of every loyal independent.
Three Goudy, Mr. Hiatt's republi-
opponent, is a rank partisan, and the re
publican papers of the state, doubtless
at his instance, have abused and mis
represented Mr. Hiatt. Goudy has
been guilty of rank nepotism in put
ting his wife in as his deputy, thus
practically drawing two salaries. He
has, in order to save house rent, stored
his household effects in the easement
of tho capitol building. Only a few
months ago, the Evening News, and
State Journal, two of the principal
organs of his own party, severely
criticised Goudy for these and other
offenses.
Independent voters, remember these
things on election day, and help elect
to tho office of state superintendent
that broad-minded genial gentleman,
H. H. Hiatt.
FABEWELL TOMMY.
The State Journal has published In
its editoral columns two long letters
signed by one Thomas H. Pratt. The
writer avers that the independent
party has deserted its principles, and
done several things that do not har
monize with his high ' ideas of po
litical rectitude. Hence he is con
strained to betako himself to the
shelter of tho dear old republican fold.
Just what effect these letters have
had outside of Lincoln we cannot say.
Here they have been a source of much
amusement.
Tom Pratt is well known here as a
contemptible little upstart. He has
had an ambition to be a Ward Heeler,
but never succeeded. He has always
had a great itching for office. Not
ong ago he off ered to put $100 into the
independent campaign fund if he could
have tho promise of being made oil in
spector. He didn't get the promise.
Pratt never wroto those letters.
Hasn't sense enough. His departure
rom the independent ranks is a great
recommendation to the party, just as
the departure of Jones and Currie was
sometime ago.
Allen W. Field was a member of
the legislature in 1885. J. R. Baffing-
ton, a member from Gage county in
troduced a bill to have Boss Stout build
a lot of state prisons around over the
the state and work the conviets under
contract. It was one of the most cor
rupt and damnable measures introduc
ed in any state legislature. Allen W.
Field worked and voted for its passage.
This alone is enough to condemn him
in the minds of every honest voter.
Again we say: Beware of all sensa
tional stories and exposures sprung on
the eve of election. A story that will
not bear publishing in time to be an
swered, is not worthy of any attention
