New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-19
AWAITING THE COUNT.
STILL IN DOUBT IN WEST VIRGINIA
THE POLITICAL MACHINERY IN THE HANDS on
THE DEMoCRATs-THE CRY OF FRAUD FROM
THE BoURBoNs INTENDED TO GOV.
Err UP DISHONESTY.
ysY TELEGRAPH 70 TIE TRIBUNE !


JBr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
Charleston, w. Va, Nov 1s-The ofncial
count alone will determine the result of the
election in West Virginia. This can't be COM
pleted until recount of the vote demanded in
a number Of disputed counties has been had.
1t may be week, therefore, at any rate
several days, before the final result is known.
In the meantime the cry Of fraud is raised by
both parties without yet sufficient cause,
put with the natural result of making tho
managers OF each party extremely watchful.
on the part OF the Democrats this cry Of fraud
seems almost gratuitOus, because the Republicans,
even ii disposed to, have no possible opportunity
OF changing or manipulating the returns The
Democrats, on the contrary are open to tho
charge, and in view OF their past record, their
virtue is by no means proof to the temptation
Of perpetuating by fraud their power in tho
State. They in control of the election
machinery, and have been so for number of
years. In o majority Of the counties, not only
are the commissioners who canvass the vote
Democratic, but the county courts which decide
the disputed legality of vote on appeal have for
years been under the control of that party It
should not be forgotten, moreover, that most of
the counties not yet hear1 from officially are
Democratic counties, or have been depended on ss
to bring up their majority to such figures as win
Offset gains made by the Republicans in nearly
every portion of the State While Of course
there is no positive proof Of attempted fraud,
this holding back Of returns is, to say the least,
suspicious. There many parts OF the State
access to which is difficult; but none certainly
is either so remote or so inaccessible as to re-
quire nearly two weeks in which to forward it's
returns. 1t is now twelve days since the election
was held, and of the ffty-four counties in the
State, eight have yet to be heard from. The
estimated vote Of these counties does
not differ materially as given by either
Democratic Republican authorities, and
in any other year but the present would
probably be accepted as seni-oflicial and conclu-
sve. just now, however, when it looks as IL
the next Governor of West Virginia would occupy
his Office by virtue only of perhaps fifty votes or
less cast in excess of that number received by
fls competitor, it is evident that estimates count
for nothing; that figures and official figures at
that, what is wanted. The spirit with which
any attempt AT fraud by the Democratic managers
would be received is reflected in the following
resolutions, adopted yesterday at meeting of
the Harrison and Morton Club of Charleston, and
subsequently ratified by Republican mass
meeting:
Whereas The Democratic leaders, in their despera-
ton to maintain the solid South employing the
most unscrupuous and desperate defraud the
people Of West Virginia Of the fruits glorious
publican victory, fairly by counting OUT be it
Resolved, That we, the Republicans of West vlr.
gnia VIII submit outrages attempted TO be
rerDetraed the people OF this State by wicked and
desperate men In violating our most sacred rights and
cefraudns the people their choice but that we will
defend and maintain rights sacredness OF tho
ballot at all hazards and let the responsibility of the
sequences rest the heads OF those who attempt TO
rob free people Of their sacred rights
At the present time of writing two THINGS
only seem certain: that the electoral ticket for
Cleveland and Thurman is chosen by from 500
to 1000, and that the Id Congressional Dis
trict has been carried by Wilson DEM Tho
Ist. lid and IVth Congressional Districts are
more doubtful than ever but with the chapees
in favor of the Republican candidates This
district, The IIld is extremely close. Mr.. Nc
Ginnis, the Republican candidate, may pull
through by ma ority of only one or two All
the counties in the district with the exception
of Mcdowell have been heard from officially
These give Anderson, the Democratic candidate,
a majority Of 80. But this is offset by Re-
publican majority in Mcdowell estimated vari-
ously at 15l and 1872 Senator Kenna re-
ceved a dispatch this afternoon which puts the
Republican majority in that county at 1873. II
this should prove correct, it would elect MoGinnis
by three votes. recount however, is sure
to be demanded in kanawha County, which gave
McGinnis majority Of 1929. Ii would be
strange, indeed, if some mistakes were not dis
covered in the recount of total of about 5000;
but the other hand, it is certain
to be fair and honest recount,
because the Board of Commissioners
is under Republican control Mr.. Wilson's re-
election in the Id District is not to be ascribed
to his advocacy of free trade notions, nor TO the
prominent part he took as a member Of the Ways
and Means Committee in the framing of the Mills
bill 1t is due rather to the personal popularity
of the man and his record as a Confederate SOL
der, which is still considered in some parts OF
v est Virginia stepping stone TO political
preferment In State where a Congressional
District like the Hid, which was carried by Kenna
only few years ago by majority of over 5000
against fusion ticket and which now threatens to
send Republican and Protectionist to Congress,
the fact that the fusion this time
was not in favor but against the Republicans in
such a State it docs not seem if free trade was
destined TO be long-lived.
At a late hour tonight the Secretary of State,
Mr. Walker received dispatch from Mcdowell
County in response TO a special request transmitted
yesterday by messenger, which states the majority
OF McGinnls for congress In that county TO De
/ "A, thus electing him from this district by ma
jority OF twepty-four over Anderson. The same
county gives Goii 10 majority. Tins would make
Coli run behind only twenty-eight votes in those
counties Of the State officially heard from, with
about seven counties still to be reported In the
IVth Congressional District, Secretary Walker
thinks that Judge jackson, the Democratic candi-
late, has been elected by five majority, though this
is simply a Democratic estimate not based upon
Official figures recount has been demanded in
of
delay in obtaining satisfactory returns from
settled portions of the State is due to the fact that
this is the first time since the adoption OF the
Constitutional Amendment went into effect that
the election Of National, State and local ticket
has been held on the same date. One and the
same ticket has contained the name of the Presi-