The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-10-30
" ashington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON. d, G. October, "a. 1896.
>Unilnpeached and unimpeachable
stands the republican claim of not
less than 270 electoral votes for Nc
KInley aud Hobart and of IA republi-
can majority of more than 80 in the
next House. Nobody knows better
than the popocratic managers the
rock-bound foundation upon which
these claims are based, and instead of
trying TO prove them false they are
talking wildly about Bryan carrying
such states as New York, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, states as sure to go
Overwhelmingly for Mckinley and
Hobart as are Maine and Vermont.
The popocratic Generalization grows
greater each day as the election draws
near, and odds of 8, 4, and even to l
are offered by getting men on McKin-
ley's election without securing takers.
That tells the story better than col
umns of type. The man who bets
expects to win and does not allow his
personal preference or wishes TO in-
fiuence his judgment. The betting
element is backing Mckinley simply
because all their information leads
them to believe that he is bound to
win, and they have sought informa-
tion just as they would on horse
race, III order that they could put
their money on the favorlte. But
their winnings Will hardly pay them
for their trouble, because OF their in
ability to find men wiling to bet on
Bryan, even at the big odds now being
offered.
Virginia is not one of the states
which republicans have counted upon,
but recent advices make it look as
though the Old Dominion would be
found in the Mckinley column.
From all over Indiana comes news
which indicates that the state is abso-
lutely safe for Mckinley. The follow
ing letter from indianapolis is a fair
sample OF what is being Written from
other sections of Hoosierdom "The
raid that Alger, Howard, Sickles and
Tanner have made in Indiana has
stirred up the patriotism which will
make it almost a sure winner. Betting
is 2 to on Mckinley and 100 to 60
on Indiana, and 40 takers"
The republicans were not surprised
to learn that Altgeld's managers had
abandoned all nope OF carrying Illinois
for Bryan and were offering to- trade
votes for Mckinley tor votes for Ait
geld for Governor. They knew the
gain that Mckinley and sound money
have been making in that state ever
since the campaign opened. How great
that gain is may be judged from the
following letter from Mr.. Frank Nj.
Cauger, of Granite City: every
thing looks favorable here. This
county was always considered a DEM
ocratic county, but poll shows 200
majority for Mckinley"
A personal friend OF President Cleve-
land says that he has made up his
mind to rtcoguiZe the Independence
OF Cuba, unless the rebellion is put
down within the next three months,
and that a hint to that effect has been
given Spain.
1t beng now pretty we'll understood
that the Venezuelan boundary Com
mission Will soon report in favor OF
the claims OF Venezuela England with
Il view to saving herself humiliation
has decided to agree to Filtration be-
fore that report is made.
One of the amusing features OF the
is the publication OF Bryan's
applications for the position OF press
agent Tor New York Theatre, few
months before he Was nominated for
President by the Popocratic conven-
ton, and after he had attended the
republican National Convention as a
correspondent There is
not the slightest doubt OF his having
made the application, both verbally
and in wriSing, as the story is vouched
for by Mr.. w :. Block, who was a
of Bryan and through
whom the applications were made.
There is, of course nothing discredit-
able in Mir. Bryan's desiring TO. become
d Theatrical press agent; many bright
men earn their bread by writing nice
things OF the stars in the theatrical
firmanent, and Nr. Bryan may yet do
So.
1t merely shows that he knew his own
calbre better than the Chicago con-
vention did, and there is no doubt
that the active imagination displayed
in his speeches woaid prove valuable
TO him in writing theatrical notices,
should that New York manager, who
now says that alter election, he viii
give him the JOB which he tried In
vain to get before he was nominated
for President, keep his promise.
Rnh Inoersau all RIGHT