New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-17
DOUBTFUL WEST VIRGINIA
THE POLITICAL PARTIES ALMOST A TIE
MARGIN ON THE STATE TICKET EXPECTED TO BE
| WITHIN ONE HUNDRED voTEs-EACH PARTY
STILL HOPEFUL PROBABLE DEMO
CRATIC MAJORITY OF TWO IN THE
LEGISLATURE ON JOINT

CRATIC MAJORITY OF TWO IN THE
LEGISLATURE ON JOINT
BALLOT.
FEY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnrDUNE.1r
Charleston, W. Va, Nov. 6.-Wcst Virginia IS STU
enveloped In a mist OF doubt, which only be
dssipated by the official count. Except the cleo
tora ticket, the vote is close that, perhaps. one
hundred votes will DO the margin of difference be-
tween the two parties the State ticket and in the
three Congressional Districts In dispute, namely the
Is Hid and Ivth, the majoritles will not aggregate
one hundred. There seems to bo no doubt about the
success OF the Democratic electoral ticket. Official
and other reliable data received by the Secretary Of
State from about one-haf the State, point to this re-
suit by majority ranging from 800 to 1000. On
the State and Congressional tickets tho trouble arises
from tho absence Of reliable returns and the diff
Guilty of procuring them in advance Of the official
count. All conjecturcs based data thus far re-
cevcd make the result close. The Republicans claim
COTS election by about 200 majority, based on data
already received and the estimated vote Of the
counties not yet reported. The majortles given out
and published since election day are Inaccurate I'M
reliable aud misleading, and this applies to the ma-
jortes reported on both sides. Men have brought
and sent figures here, who positive to their
correctness which the certificates accompanying the
official returns subsequently received showed to be
erroneous Secretary of State Walker says that in
tom the official figures those receiving them had de
liberatey made changes and had the altered figures
published to make It appear that their side had been
successful. 1t is upon such incomplete data and
upon such altered figures that claims based for the
election OF Gof and Fleming, respectively well as
for the election of the three Congressnen in dispute
Secretary Walker expressed the belief that Fleming is
elected by about 100 majority. This belief Is
founded an examination of the certificates now in
hand and on answers from county officials charged
with the custody CT the sealed packages. SO far as
errors and mistakes in computation have been dis
covered the result has not been affected, these are
about equal Secretary Walker described the present
situation when he said
while / believe Fleming Will be elected By about
100 majority, yet It is not improbable that when all
the returns in they may show small majority
for Gof. The official count will alone determine the
result. Neither candidate will have more than $50
majority
The recount that has been demanded in several
counties will delay the official ascertalnment of the
result in the State and in the Congressional districts
but Secretary Walker believes that by Tuesday the
successful candidates may be named. in this Con
gressiOnal district the result is much in doubt as
that for Governor. The candidates McGlnnis, Re
publican, and Aderson Democrat. The returns from
few of the counties composing the district have
been received, and from of them number of
precincts not reported in any form. Both sides
claim the victory, but by small a majority that
either may be overturned by the Official count The
,ame IS true Of the IVth District in which Smith is
the Republican, and Jackson the Democratic candi-
date Whoever may be successful in these two dis
trics are likely to obtain certificates on less than
fifty majority, according to present estimates, and
matter to whom certificates may be issued there
indications that the candidates declared defeated
III make contest In the House of Representatives
a report received here to-day from Democratic
sources, to the effect that Mcdowell County gives
McGinnis ffty-two majority. This county has here
tofore been Democratic. Four years ago 1t gave
Cleveland seventeen majority, in an aggregate vote Of
2O6 Should this report prove correct, McGinniss
chances for election will be materially increased.
Some Democrats are disposed 10 cOnccde the election
Of McGinnis and express apprehension as TO
the election of Jackson in the IVh District SO far
as can be aScertained this time, the chances for
the Republicans capturing the Hid and IVth Con
gro slona Districts good as those of the DEM
ocrats for retaining them, while, from the coseness
of The election nothing but the final count will de
tcrnine the result.
1t would not be surprising 70 find McGinns and
Smith elected 10 Congress- and Gof elected Governor
The logic of the situation favos this conclusion The
gains are in favor Of the Republicans. Less
than one-hal of the state has been reliably heard
from. Prom the counties not reported, so careful
as Secretary WALKER computes his estimates Tor
Flemngs election by about 100 majority on the vote
that figures of four two years ago, are not
safe guide for computation this year. President |
Clevcland's message has been promulgated since the
last election and the Mills bill was passed by the
House OF Repre- sentatives. west virginia mas, III
the last four or five years received large amount OF
capital and a largo influx Of now people, which nave
been applied to the development Of her vast mineral
resources and in the construction of industrial enter
prses This Is the explanation OF the reversal OF
Democratic maioritics in Mcdowell, Mercer and "yO
ascrlbes TO +" fraud" Whether Wost Virginia be |
Democratic or Republican, she IS for protection 10
her Industries as the means OF developing her
grpa acnt resources and TO this Is attributable the
fact that tie lid and IVt Congressional Districts
which two wears ago Democratic by nearly 300 |
and 500 respectively. to-day trembling III the pal
ancc with q decided leaning 10 the Republican slho
IS to the legislature, the indications are that II |
Will be Democratic on joint ballot II Is gcnelaiy |
conceded that II will stand as follows: senae-RepuD
cans, IL Democrats. II: Independent. total, 70
HOuse-Republlcans, 81; Democrats, 34-total: % |
This gives ho Democrats majority on Joint ballot OF
and insures reelection OF Senator Kenna. The
Independent elected 10 the Senate two years ago
by fusion against the Democrats and with the under
standing he would vote for Republican 10 sue |
cced Ken a. A change of fwo votes In the House |
would roy Kenna's hopes for re-clectio
Things are badly mixed that ono can tell GER |
ainy what tho final outcome may be on the legislative
ticket.
ROBDIyG THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
wilkesbarre, Penn. nov. 16 (spccaD.-Martha Il"
Hunter postnistres at the LarhSvc post-oflce near