The herald., 1896-10-09
RETURNS CONE IN SLOWLY
Of the Georgia Ballots Cast on
Wednesday
THE COUNT NOT COMPLETE
But the Net Result Is Not At All In
Doubt
The Democratic Majority Shows Gains
In Every County-The South Sure
for Bryan In November

ATLANTA, Ca, Oct. s.-Returns from
yesterdays election are coming In in
detached fragments and unsatisfactory
form. The early hours Of this morning
brought little authentic news. everything
being held back to await official con-
solidation of the vote which took place
at noon. AS there are 1877 counties, many
Of them being remote from railroad and
telegraphic communication, authentic
figures will necessarily be delayed. The
Populists state that Chairman Cum
ningham received telegram this morn
Ing from Marion. Hart. Glasscock and
Taylor counties. which were reported
to have gone Democratic last night,
claiming them for the Populists. Chair
man Cunningham said at II o'clock that
Wright, Populist candidate for COVER
nor, was elected, with the remainder Of
the state ticket.
Official returns from McDuffie county,
the home of Watson, show that the
Populists carried it by 5O4 majority.
Seaborn Wright, Populist candidate
for governor, carried his home county,
Floyd. former Democratic strong
hold, by twenty majority. Cobb county,
the home Of Democratic Chairman Clay,
which reported last night 800 Democratic
majority, is said to have been carried by
the Populists.
The following is from A. s. Clay, chair
man of the Democratic executive COM
mittee: Georgia has gone Democratic
by 10000 majority. Governor Atkinson
is reelected by at least 10000 majority
over the combined opposition. The rest
Of the state ticket Is elected by over
$4,000 majority. The general assembly
is composed of It's members in the house
and A senators. The .Populists have
elected two members of the house and
one senator. The Democrats elected
thirty-nine senators and 151 representa-
| tives.
| The Journal says this afternoon that
| the result was obtained after hard
| fought campaign after which the issues
were clearly made. Those issues were
entirely local, and yesterdays vote can
not be considered as particularly bear
ing upon the national campaign. The
election demonstrated three things:
First-That the people Of Georgh en-
dorse the administration of Governor
Atkinson.
Second-That they are opposed to
state prohibition law and want the pres
ent local option system maintained.
Third-That the negroes of Georgia
appreciate the fair treatment given
by the present state administration.
In response to an inquiry from the
Journal Senator JONES' chairman Of the
Democratic national committee, wired
| the following:
CHICAGO, Oct. 8.
| To the Atlanta Journal:-The Georgia
! election means a solid south as we'll as
a solid west for Bryan in November.
| Considering the fact that the Georgia
Democracy had arrayed against it the
united strength of the administration,
the Republicans, the Populists and the
Prohibitionists,a "a majority Of 20, 900 would
| have been regarded. as great victory
1T appears from returns SO far as
received, that we have double that, hav-
ing made. gains in nearly every county.
| I consider the result as assuring Mr..
Bryan d majority Of not less than $4,000
or 10000 in November.
1T shows that the people are with us,
| and that they cannot be diverted by any
subordinate issues, whether Of local or
of national interest.
II am more than confident that Mr..
Bryan will not only carry every southern
state, but also every state west of the
Mississippi river, as well, as, a. large
majority of the central western states,
insuring him an overwhelming major
ity in the electoral college.
(SigneO ~ K. JONES,
| Chairman National Democratic Com
mittee.'
Advices received by the Journal up
to midnight from the combined official
F, and unofficial sources fix the total Dem
ocratic' majority at 36.129. This esti-
mate Is based upon the vote for Atkin-
son for governor, which is in many
cases less than that cast for the other
state officials. 1t is not believed the
final returns will materially alter this
estimate.
The legislature is almost solidly DEM
ocratic in both branches, insuring prac-
tically the unanimous election Of ex-
Speaker Crisp to- the senate to succeed
! Senator Gordon.
Two constitutional amendments were
voted on and both were carried over
whelmingly. One is to provide for the
increase of the supreme court from three
| to six justices, and to provide for their
election by the people. The other is to
make the state school commissioner
elective.
TOO LATE, TOO LATE