Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-07
4th Edition.
$50 O'CLOCK Pm.
THE ELECTION MIDDLE.
VICTORY STILL CLAIMED FOR BOTH
CANDIDATES.
EXPLANATIONS In ORDER.
How the Associated Press Returns
Were Prepared.
What Norvin Green, President of the
Western Union, Says.
GOV. CLEVELAND RECEIVING
CONGRATULATIONS.
MIR. BLAINE ASKS FOR A FAIR
COUNT.
HOW THE RETURNS WE'RE GATH.
ERED.
What Norvin Green, President of the
Western Union, Says.
GOV. CLEVELAND RECEIVING
CONGRATULATIONS.
MIR. BLAINE ASKS FOR A FAIR
COUNT.
HOW THE RETURNS WE'RE GATH.
Erred.
The Way the Figures Which showed a
Plurality for Blaine Were Prepared
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Special Dispatch to The EVENING SrAe:
NEW YORK, November 7.-Mr. W. Ii. French, OF
the Associated Press. entered into full explana-
ton this noon OF the manner La which the As
ISOLATED Press gathers its election returns upon
Which the republican national committee bases Its
claim to the election or Mr.. Blaine. The plans OF
the Association are explained In Mr.. French's
woras Here" said he "are tables prepared In
blank on every county in the state, beginning
with Albany. These sheets, which are about two
feet long by three wide. you see divided into
lines running up and down the page and across;
every district and ward of city is given, and by
this means we may put our figures upon any
voting district at an instants notice. Now
take Albany county as an illustration; the
first division is devoted TO Albany city. The
divisions or blank spaces are filled out In
this way: Albany, first district, lSSo-Gar-
field, $50; Hancock, 1885, democratic ma
Jority,S S. 1sSi-Blaine, 385; Cleveland, ga; But
Ter, IL; ST. John, none; republican majority,
VI; republican gain, 81. This system is fol-
lowed out in all Of the two thousand districts
In the state outside OF New York and Kings county
These blanks were prepared two or three weeks
before election, and everything was got ready.
Now l will explain how We get in our news
and show you how correct our figures must be.
Two weeks before election we sent blanks to a
number OF trusted agents in each county. These
blanks read
November 4th, Smith, Associated Press, New
I ork, county, district, Blaine Cleveland, Butler
ST. John. Signed
"These blanks were distributed to the nearest
telegraph offices TO each district and by the opera
tors they have been distributed at the districts.
These were 6lled out by trustworthy men and
sent in to US. The ngures are trans
ferred upon our blanks and footed up.
They give Mr.. Blaine slight plurality.
We have given no opinion, and have none. IL Is
not our province to do so. We have merely col
lected the facts have reason to believe that the
figures are correct. They are much more likely to
be than the figures OF the county clerks who
have no means OF getting the figures except by
hearsay. The returns come to them sealed No
one will know which is right-the Associated Press
or the county clerks-unril the county canvaSsing
boards meet All we lack are l2 election districts
TO complete tie list We wish, Also to verify
seventy districts This win be done to-
day. No election has ever been so thor
oughly reported as this, nor so correctly.
Where are the conflicting figures found
in democratic counties? The county clerks
in democratic counties have estimated the re-
turns. notably in Albany and Weschester. That is,
assuming our reports to be correct. Now, to salts
fy all parties, we have sent out Invitations to
the republican national and state committees the
democratic national and state committees and to
each morning paper asking them TO send each a
man TO this ONCE to verify our foottngs We will
place at this table democrat opposite q republi-
can and in that way the public will be convinced OF
the fairness OF our reports. The morning papers
say that at O'Clock this morning the Associated
Press conceded the election OF Cleveland IL did
noLhing OF the kind; 1t is not the province Of the
Associated Press TO claim or concede anything.
The Associated Press simply gives the figures that
come in. AS the figures have come in they show
oil fo~ff
ported. The reports from the county clerks offices
give small democratic majority. We merely sent
the reports out as our duty as news gatherers re-
qured us to do As 1t now stands, Blaine is
slightly ahead The state board OF can
vassers are directed by law to meet in Albany
on the Wednesday after the third Monday In
November, but may adjourn from day TO day until
all the returns from the county supervisors have
been received. The latter are obliged to meet on
the first Tuesday after the election, and after the
vote has been determined the returns are forwarded
to Albany. There can be no tampering with the
returns while In transit. The law is very clear In
providing not only for the severe punishment OF
fraud by such messengers, but for any voluntary
or negligent act on their part whereby
the purpose OF their appointment may be nullifled
or endangered. II applies not only TO messengers
themselves, but any person or persons who may
hinder or obstruct In any way interfere with the
composed OF Secretary OF State Carr, republican;
Attorney General O'Brien, democrat; Controller
Chaplin, democrat; Treasurer Maxwell. democrat,
and State Engineer Sweet, democrat"
SECOND DISPATCH
Statement of President Green, Of the
w. U. Company.
Special Dispatch to THE EVENING STAR
NEW YORK. November 2.
Says MI. Norvin Green, president OF the Western
Union:-'The charges that have been made for the
last two days that the Western Onion or Mr.. Gould
have had anything TO do with holding back the
election returns are too ridiculous l believe that
our agents have been perfectly honest and faith
full in the discharge OF their duties don't
believe there has been o single instance
of negligence. What would be the object
Of it? 1t could not AFFECT the result Those who
made such charges forget that the returns the
first night were all for Cleveland. Why, we are
obliged to pay for the services OF 10000 men. In
order to give people the results OF the election
Out OF Is 900 offices, 10000 are kept open at night
What could we gain by keeping these operators
employed night after nights The only
Instructions our men have had are to get the
most accurate returns, no matter which
party was favored, and think that when the on
cial figures come in It will be found that we were
about right The truth that at any other time
this delinquency on the part OF remote districts to
FORWARD their returns would not De n0tceQ Just dt
this time when everything Is so close, It is noticed
AS for MI. Could did not see him at all yesterday
although he was in his Office In this building. I
understand that he sent up to the press agent for
election OF those who are In the executive on
ces the majority are democrats myself voted for
Cleveland, and would like to see him President
Mr.. Somervie, the press agent, Is a Canadian, and
has never voted. Why should we wish 70 put on
the announcement OF Clevelands election any Ion
ger than possible7 Again, In some OF the districts
from which returns have been late In coming, our
wires do not run; they are on the line OF the Bal
timore and Ohio, but the whole idea that our
company or the Associated Press or jay Gould
has any hand in this delay, is too absurd for argu
ment It is unworthy OF sensible men. The duty
Of citizens At such time this should be to keep
their temper and abide the result, whatever II il
don't believe there have been any frauds perpe-
trated by either party. People will not stand ~
and there is too great scrutiny admit IT. Yester
day, understand, the democratic members Of the
bar met and Designated ono member 70 visit each
county and ascertain whether there was any fraud
That was wise and precautionary measure"
q. Wa
THmD prsPAruH
Conflicsong ClAinss.
Special Dispatch 10 TEE EVENING 6rAh
NEW YoKx, November 1-NotwithstAndfnG the
intense feeling here this afternoon over tho latest
returns, the large CROWDS eveFywhese havD been
very orderly. An cheering and marching hayo
ceased The police are eve1ywheFe n largo 1orcA
inglde To hoesls and headQuarteu and On tho