The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-20

men who will hedge on their bets on his
election. Give us Mckinley gold speeches
and we will bet the silverites to a stand
STILL is the cry Of the New York betting
men.
o. The wheel of political fortune is so IN
certain that not even the most sanguine
gambler is willing at present to risk a
Irritation with it. When politicians them
selves are puzzled, it is no wonder that
betting men hesitate.
From California comes the story that
Mr.. Gunst, the well known sporting man,
has $4,000 which he will put up with any
body who may like McKinleys chances.
Gunst will bet 1t at the rate Of 81, 900 to ST.
800 on Bryan. If he should take the time to
come east he could get far better odds for
his money, as bets are going begging
hereabouts at 2l6 to on Mckinley.
A Boston man has just bet $1,000 even
that Minnesota goes for gold in the com
ing election. Neither Dave Gideon nor
AL Smith, two of the heaviest bettOrs Of
this city, have as yet put up any money
on the coming election. 1T looks like
Mckinley to me-" said Mr.. Gideon re-
Gently, but of course l can tell nothing
of Bryan's strength in the country. I
may make some bets later on
There is said to be $4,000 in Mckinley
money waiting for Bryan hackers in the
Astor House. The Hoffman House peo-
and dollars, which they will put on the
Ohio man, giving fair odds to whoever
may take the other end
For the most part the bets that have
been made, or that are offered, are not on
the general result, but on the result in the
doubtful states. AS a general thing,
bookmakers are pretty shrewd bettors,
and can find very few Of them who are
not willing to give 2la to l against Bryan.
Sometimes, however, even the willy book
maker runs up against a snag in his pro-
fession. When this happens there is great
fun for the spectators. Al Dreyer ran
up against this kind of a snag last week.
He was Cabling away at a great rate on
his Mckinley belief when Leo Swatts
sauntered up. Il will bet $500 against
a postage stamp against Bryan" he said.
Swatts listened to Dreyer's argument for
awhile and then took him off into dark
corner. When they returned Swatts had
bet $1,000 on Bryan against Dreyer's $500
on Mckinley.
Afterward Matte Lenan heard of the
bet and called on Swatts for some more
of it. The call resulted in Swatts max
ing another wager Of $500 to 81, $50 against
Mckinley.
John Madigan, who is said to be a re-
sponsible bookmaker, offers to bet $4,000
even that Mckinley will not carry six
teen states. Let those who figure on cleo
awhile. They will find, probably to their
surprise, that Mr.. Madigan has much the
better Of it.
Wheelock, the race track plunger, has
$4,000 that he will put up on Mckinley
at odds of 21a to l., These are certainly
excellent odds for the Bryanites, and If
Mr.. Wheelock's offer is not soon taken
up it will look very much as though the
silver men were afraid of the strength
of their own candidate.
Mr.. Riley of Aqueduct also has several
thousand dollars which he wishes to place
on Mckinley at "a to l.
From now until November betting will
gradually grow liveler. 1t will not be
long before the campaign viii crystalline
public sentiment one way or the other,
and bettors will be able to form some
kind of judgment as to the ultimate re-
suits
Betting men consider the electoral vote
may be safely computed as follows:
The following states are considered sure
for gold: