Evening star., 1896-11-12
LITTLE DEL A w A R E
One of Her Electoral Votes May Go to
Bryan. ..
All Through Il Mistake in Failing to
Put the SuffiK "Sr." on One
'--' f.'.--r ' Ticket.
of The Evening Star.

Correspondence of The Evening Star.
WILMINGTON. Del. November 10. 1896.
Though this little state declared In no un-
mistaken terms against William Jennings
Bryan and free silver last Tuesday yet it
now seems almost certain that the defeated
candidate will get one Of the three votes
which the republicans of the blue hen state
had hoped would be cast solidly for Major
Mckinley in the electoral college. Mckin-
ley's majority in Delaware vas 3,SS4--a
majority far in excess OF any accorded any
presidential candidate In Delaware since
the war. Even in Kent and Sussex
counties, where the free silver craze was
rampant, the Ohio statesman rolled up a
majority that astounded the Bryan cam
paign managers when they awoke We'd
nesday morning and looked at the figures.
The republican managers apprehended some
semblance of a vote for Bryan and free sill
yer among the farmers OF Eent and Sus-
sex. While they were all along. confident
that Mckinley would carry The state, still
they relied upon Wilmington and rural
New Castle county to do the work. Kent
and Sussex they were willing to concede
to Bryan by majority Of POD in each
county. Instead. however. Kent gave $40
and Sussex 100 majority for Mckinley.
A Simple Mistake.
Yet, despite all this. Major Mckinley will
probably not get Delaware's full vote. And
why? Because of simple mistake; fail
ure to place the suffix ''sr." after the name
of the republican elector in New Castle
county. The mistake, though apparently
simple, has turned out to be serious, and
has been source of considerable satisfac-
ton to the Bryanttes. The mistake hap
pened in this way: There were two repub-
lican ballots, the regular republican, bear
Ing the eagle design. and the union repub-
lican, bearing the design of star.
On the electoral ticket both factions
were united. while the remainder Of the
tickets differed. The electoral candidate
chosen to represent New Castle county was
James G. Shaw, sr. He was originally the
nominee Of the union republicans, and his
name was printed On the union republican
ballot with the suffiX "sr." On the regular
republican ballot, however, by an over
sight, his name was printed just plain
James G. Shaw. The mistake was not
noticed until after the clerk Of the peace
had ordered the printing of the ballots and
then 1t was topl late to rectify 1t. The re-
suit, therefore, was that two repuslican
electors to rePfesent New Castle county
were voted foyi WIS James G. Shaw and
James G. Shaw, ST., and on this technicali-
electoral college from Delaware. The reg
ular republicans voted almost solidly to-
gether for thelf ticket. unmindful of the
error. The count Of the vote showed that
James G. Shaw received 1882. James G.
"
democrat. 1864. S
Gov. Watson to Decide.
The matter has been agitated TO a con-
siderable e1teht by the Bryan managers
and now it is intimated that Governor Wa1-
son will be called upon to decide the ques-
ton. His attention has been called to the
law governing the matter. which says
THE governor shall without delay examine
the certificates and ascertain the electors
chosen, and make known the same by
proclamation, and cause notice Of his cleo
ton to be transmitted to each elector.'
The republican managers apprehend that
if the question is submitted to the governor
that Rodney will be seated. Governor Wat
son has borne the reputation of an inde-
pendent in and out of office. but it is ex-
pected that he would decide in favor of
jeopardizing hh future political career. r.
With the knowledge that the loss OF one
elector would not injure Mckinley ard
would not help Bryan, Governor Watson
can, without denying himself any of his
reputed independence. decide in favor of
Rodney.
The republican managers, however, are
not pleased with the prospect of even one
vote from Delaware being east for Bryan.
and they are now urging that the question
be brought before the court.