The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-06-11

opened to news paper mon and others
VINO had gathered in the hall aud in the
adjoining room to await the results.
Inc privilege was gladly accepted
and the small room was soon crowded.
Private Secretary Halford and the Post.
master General we're seated near the
telegraph instruments. from which bull
letins were recorded on typewritinp
machine. each with tally sheet before
MIN. Crowded around and behind these
gentlemen werc about thirty newspaper
men and friends of the President
Secretary Elkins gravitated between
the telegraph office ana tho Presidents
room, and showed a thorough knowledge
OF the situation as it developed. He
fre4 uently consulted the Postmaster
Generals figures, and as the votes Of
the different States were recorded he
remarked Significantly at intervals that
hverything was going all right"
that Harrison men know their bust
ness, and that we are gaining votes
in some places where we did not even
nope for gains
Inc operator handed the bulletins to
MY halford, who read them aloud, re-
coroeo the votes on his tally sheet and
tnen passed them over to either Russell
harrison or Lieutenant Parker, by
whom they we're carried into the Presi.
cent, who read them TO Secretaries
Noole, Rusk and Tracy and Attorney
General Miller.
Ihere was rot the least rush or ex-
oi'ement during the balloting up to the
time the wire announced that Ohio had
cast forty-fve votes for Mckinley. This
was entirely unlocked for and for the
hrst time caused doubt Of Harrison's
nomination on tho first ballot which IN
TO that time had seemed assured.
Twas here remarked that it was now
clear that the opposition meant 20
swing all the votes they could get to
mckinley, and that Pennsylvania
siXty-hve votes would be Il great factor
in that direction.
After the vote Of South Dakota had
been received and while every one was
waiting to hear the vote of Tennessee
the sounder went click" "click. -
Click" and without attempting to
write out the message the operator re-
peated excitcdly, Harrison is nomina-
ted
Great excitement followed the an
nouncement. Good, good" shouted
Wanamal1er, and Halford darted out of
the room TO prevent the message reach
ing the President in advance of it's
official cor firmation. He said he wanted
to avoid "a flash in the pan
lie was, however, too late, as Tib-
bet, tho Presidents stenographer. who
had been standing outside the door, had
heard the words and carried the news
to the President before Mr.. Halford
could Interfere. He had hardly deliv.
cred the message when Mr.. Halford en-
tered the cabinet room with tho official
vote OF Texas, which gave the Presi.
dent clear majority in the convention
and settled all question as to the nomi-
nation.
The operator remained at his instru-
ment to record the votes of the remain
ing States, but he no longer had any
company. Everybody else, including
all tho newspaper men, crowded into
the Cabinet and showered conrratula-
tions on the President. lie received
them most cordially and shook hands
with each. He was cool and composed,
but took no pains to conceal his intense
qualification.
| Tho news soon reached the private
| part OF tho house and Mrs. Mckee. Mrs.
Dimmick and Mrs. Parker FASTENED to
the Presidents side. lie received their
congratulations in q most affec tomato
manner.
One of the members OF the cabinet
suggested that the President say few
words to the newspaper men, remark
ing that they were extremely anxious
to hear from him.
The President, after moments hes
ltation, consented and made brief ad-
dress, after which no retired from the
room.
Mrs. Harrison, who has been an in
valid for weeks past, was purposely
Kept in ignorance of the exciting event
Of past week.
NOW That there was no longer any
doubt o. to the Presidents nomination
1T was concluded that that the good
news would do Mrs. Harrison no harm.
The President impaired the information
and the result justified his Judgment.