THE HESPERIAN
know that when the local association elected
delegates to the state association the Johns
ton firm made three out of four nominations,
and would undoubtedly have taken the
other upon their overburdened shoulders if
soaio one had not kindly relieved them.
Later, the three gentleman who comprised
the majority of the delegation, the chair
man being one of them, were informed
that it really would not be necessary for
them to trouble themselves about the
nomination of a float delegate as he had
already been selected by the minority of
the committee, assisted by the Johnston
firm and others. One member of the
majority ventured to object to the arrange
ment, and said that he would see his in
former again. lie was coolly told that the
matter was settled and it would not be
necessary for him to see the informer again,
in fact, that the informer didn't care to see
him again. By what authority did the
president of the state oratorical association
thus ignore the majority of the delegation
from the University of Nebraska ? It was
done, however, and that it could be done on
a grander scale developments showed.
The majority of the University delegation
agreed to support Mr. Fisher for float
delegate. The minority said, "We, with the
assistance of the president of the state
oratorical association will defeat the
majority." The majority went honestly
and honorably to work. It circulated
petitions, and it could hardly find spare
paper enough in the University to hold the
names of people who wanted Frank Fisher
to win. The majority on the delegation
came, in a few hours to represent the over
whelming majority of the student body.
The minority also circulated petitions. It
resorted to some of its patent political devi
ces in order to secure support. The Sigma
Alpha fraternity was offered several posi
tions for ito support which it did not give,
however, and when every body else had
refused the vice-presidency of the oratorical
association, the Sigma Chi accepted it
signatures
either as a reward of merit for
already given or as an advance payment for
those signatures. Mr. Mallalicu is vice
president, as arranged. Then the minority
obtained some signatures from members of
one of the girl's fraternities, without ex
plaining very clearly what the signing
meant. And then some innocent people
were cornered in the hall who signed for
Wm. M. Johnston when they had already
signed for Frank Fisher. But in spite of
all nianoeuvers, the signatures on their
petitions were but a handful to the score
that graced the Fisher papers. One other
point in internal history needs clearing up.
Mr. Graham did not, as stated, change his
vote at the last minute to Fisher. He
decided his vote the Wednesday night be
fore the contest and ho stayed there, al
though by so doing he robbed the gang of
the great privilege of carrying out -one of
its numerous promises. He was offered no
bribe by the Fisher side, ne merely used
his own good sense and judgment, and he
deserves credit for it.
Now for external history. The plot
thickens and grows decidedly blackish.
But it might as well be said in the first
place that Doane is all right. If the Doane
delegates were wearers of the scarlet and
cream theT could not possibly be truer
gentlemen than they are. They made no
promises cither way, but investigated the
.bject on its merits and voted accordingly
tithough some of them were personal friends
of Johnston. The student body of the
University thanks them for their support,
and respects them for their honesty.
But Doane was a shining light compared
with the two so-called Universities out on
the hills east of Lincoln. The bribes that
were offered them by the great triumvirate
McMullen, Weaver and the Johnston firm
and which were accepted by them, were
worthy of the most unprincipled political
gang that over existed. Cotner's delegates
promised on Saturday morning to vote with
the majority of the University delegation,
M
!
usuis
