The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-28
ROANOKE. VA. WEDNESDAY, MORNING. OCTOBER Is 1891

that can be that is in tho future. Mr..
Plat, General Hustled, and other men
high up in the councils of the Republi-
cant party, hint darkly>a tidal wavc
resembling the Folger campaign of
1882, only with the boot on tho other
leg so far as the result is concerned.
Judge Folger was showed under by over
10000 majority
The claims OF each side are about
evenly balanced, and yet both cannot be
right. Either Mr.. Flower will be
elected on November or Mr.. Fassett.
1t is easy to figure out victory for
either party-on paper--but ante-el
ton figures are mighty unreliable, as
has been demonstrated in the past. If
tho Republican hopes are realized, Mr..
Fassett will have handsome majority.
III tho Democratic expectations ''pan
out" Mr.. Flower will have a walkoyer.
The reader can take his choice.
Tho Worlds Fair issue is the only
matter on which the rival orators have
met on common ground. This has been
debated back and forth until it is thread
bare; but the terrific assaults on Tam
many by Candidate Fassett and bis fell
low Republicans have been met with
vigorous attacks en- tho Republican
theory OF protection, the force bill and
other national questions. Obviously
the effect on the public mind has been
slightly confusing.
How far tho anti-Tammany cry will
cut into the Democratic ranks is an un-
known quantity, and how many Reput-
llcans Will knife Mr.. Fassett because of
his Worlds Fair record is equally mysti-
flying. Many people believe that it will
be what is described in sporting circles
as ''stand off,"
The most significant feature of the
campaign probably is the varying esti-
mates and claims that have been pro-
mulgated from the Democratic head
quarters since the contest opened in
September. Mr.. Flowers plurality was
at first put down at $4,000 Then it
dropped to $4,000 and later to 100000
10000 and 10000. The scale had been
gradually going downward, and that rs
nearly represents tho actual condition
OF the fight at its different stages. Mr..
Fassett was clearly very poor second
when the race began. He has steadily
improved his position and is now at
least within fight ting distance OF the
goal. The pace has been very rapid for
the past four weeks, and it has been a
serious question in the minds of MANY
whether it could be kept up, but each
side has on enough steam now to go on
indefinitely. The drift, the Republi-
cans claim, is all their way, and nothing
can change or stop it now
There has bcen comparatively little
betting on TIE result. Many of the
bots reported in the newspapers thus
far have been Of vocal character
Some small bets have been made on
Flower at odds of ten to seven. One
bet was made by slightly intoxicated
gentleman Of $1,000 to $500 on Flower,
but no one could be found to duplicate
it. Edward Kearney, who has boon
reported as having bet $4,000 on
Flower at odds of almost two to one,
says that the only bet he ha, made is
ono of $4,000 to $1,000 on the Demo
! cratic candidate.
Mr.. Kearncy believes that the betting
Will be nearly even before Tuesday. A
prominent Democrat from Buffalo, who
has been here for week with pocket
full of money to bet on Flower, is still
holding on to his cash. He saws he left
home with the impression that Flower
mad cincb, hut he has changed his
mind. After looking over the ground
carefully he concludes that the safest
thing to do is not to bet at all. The
betting has never signified much in a
campaign. In 1888 tho odds were in
favor of Cleveland up to 10 o'clock on
the night of the election.