Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-10-28

Earlyin September Mr.. Henry George
was requested by the New York Jour-
nal to make a tour Of the so-cailed
doubtful states in the middle west and
to give the public in an entirely unbi-
ased manner the result OF his observa-
tons OF the political conditions exist.
Ing there.
before his reply was received the
news come from Maine OF the increased
Republican majority at the state eiec-
ton there. Then followed Mr.. Georges
answer as follows:
Chicago. Sept. Is, 1896.
Editor New York Journal:
In my opinion. confirmed by Maine,
the result Is foregone. I believe. there
tore, that a convinced free silver man
would De better to make proposed trim
Tor journal than j. as candor Is some-
tunes uselessiy painful to friends. Will
80 ahead IL you wish and do my best
to give exact truth as see IL. but NV
Judgment and feelings are. against
this.
Would prefer to save nv time and
your money by not beginning. Could
stop until tomorrow's committee meet
ing for your private information II you
wish. though do not think I could learn
anything not public; otherwise would
start back. Advise me, Victoria hotel.
HENRY GEORGE"
In reply to this message the editor of
Tne journal telegraphed to Mr.. George,
requesting him to remain for a short
time In the doubtful territory and de-
scribe the situation Just as he saw n.
On Oct. MT. George. having spent
three weeks In the doubtful states.
more especially In Illinois. Ohio, and
West Virginia. was requested to tele-
graph. for the information of the editor
OF The Journal. his opinion of the prob
abilities. In reply he sent the follow.
ing:
Cleveland. O., Oct. s.
Editor New York Journal:
My belief Is that Bryan will be
elected.
This Is my carefully formed private.
as well as public. opinion. 1 congratu.
late The Journal on the good prospects.
HENRY GEORGE"
Mr.. George, 1t is seen, began his Jour.
ney with the settled conviction that
McKinley's election was assured. For
this reason he suggested that some one
else undertake the trip for The Jour.
nal. But as only the exact truth was
desired, and as Mr.. George is every.
where known for thoroughness OF in.
vestigation, accuracy of conclusion.
and fairness Of statement in all mat
tiers political. IT was especially desired
that he should make this trip and do
this work. His reports are therefore
valuable for their entire candor ana
reliability.
Mr.. George has himself been sur.
prised at the results OF his investiga-
tons In the doubtful states. He began
his trip fully convinced that Mckinley
would win. The results have convinced
him that Bryan will win.
After having sent The Journal the
above dispatch from Cleveland, O.. on
Oct 8, Mr.. George continued his jour.
neythrough the states Of Indiana, Wis
consin. Michigan. and Minnesota ana
returned to New York. On the 18th NJ
October he submitted his final report
to The Journal as follows. II ts All
the stronger and more valuable for tn
extreme caution and conservatism.
October is, 1886.
Editor New York Journal:
Il came back to New York over more
than a third Of the continent TO regis
ter my vote and hear Governor Ait
geld make in Cooper Union the speech
In which ne set forth what. in NV mind
Is the most important Of the issues Of
the campaign.
The question that grcets me from
the lips Of every friend I have yet met.
and the question repeated in all I have
asyet had opportunity to glance at in the
pile of letters / found awaiting me. IL:
WHAT DO YOC REALLY THINK
WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THE
ELECTION
Let me answer Questioners ana cor.
respondents. one and all. through the
medium OF The Journal. My personal
opinion differs from that which has al
ready been expressed in the letters
that have recently been telegraphed by
me to The Journal from the places
where they have been written only in
this:
Il AM SOMEWHAT MORE CONFI-
DENT THAN MY LETTERS TO THE
JOURNAL HAVE SHOWN. THAT
BRYAN WILL CARRY THE STATES
THAT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED
DOUBTFUL IN THE CENTRAL.
WEST. AND WILL BE ELECTED TO
THE PRESIDENCY.
Il have no ability TO see into the fut-
ure. and am liable to all the mistakes
Of Judgment that beset man or woman.
but this Is my opinion as to what will
be, formed after five weeks OF as dill.
igent. cautious and dispassionate ef-
fort as / am capable of to discover the
trend and strength OF the tides OF DO
litical opinion now running in that part
Of the country.
This was not my first opinion-on
the contrary. IL at first seemed to me
that Mckinley. not Bryan, would car
y the central west: but II Is the ma
tureA conviction with which ! came
hack to New York. And that the tide
u daily setting more strongly toward
Bryan. am convinced
HENRY GEORGE"
Th6 IS not the work of a campaign
manager. anxious 10 give q coloring Of
victory to his own side. 1t - the result