The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-10-07
Illinois Safe for Bryan.
What a Close canvass Of the
State DiscloseS.

A ransack of llliuois politically
brings cheer to the free silver De-
mocracy. Both sides have OF late
laid violent claims on Illinois Han
ma and his coterie said it was 20 be
for Mckinley Jones, A.tgeld and
the Democrat leaders at Springfield
and Chicago were equally vehement
in giving the State to Bryan and
free silver. They declared the battle
won for Bryan.
The Hannacrats, in an ecstacy OF
eager voracity, announced, and 40
still. that Mckinley would carry llll.
nois by 100000 majority. The wish
was father TO this bluff. for such it
was A bit of research disclosed
this claim of 100000 for Mckinley
to be feather headed nonsense.
In Marion county, where the Re
publicans solemnly assert McKin-
ley certainly of 100 majority, a
house to house poll. made with hair
line patience, gives it to Bryan by
over 500. The same might be said
of all the country counties. The Re.
publicans lay hands on them, but
don't know whereof they speak and
don't dare make practical investiga
ton for fear the discoveries might
blast and wither them.
Altgeld, on his part, working with
his lieutenants, Buck Hinrichsen and
Fithiau, has made, one following che
other, two thorough canvasses school
district by school district, Of every
foot of Illinois ground lying between
Cairo aud the Cook county line.
They made two because the first cast
such an unlocked for glow on their
prospect that they couldn't believe it
true. SO they made the second
They Archaeological and aids
that their search was SO thoro' b
that not even pin point o. : Il
change escaped them. They ,..m
med every front gate, pulled e:s-rf
doorbell save in Chicago aud coz ~
AS a result, they assert that 18th
Altgeld and Bryan will come to the
Cook county line with a clean ma
jority of $4,000.
They tell. too, that poll has been
made of Chicago and Cook county,
and that the free silver Bryan-Als
geld forces will win there by $4,000
They claim the State without tremor
by 65. 600 for Altgeld and Bryan.
Conservative ones with whom !
conversed cut the rural majority
which they claimed down to 20. 900.
That figure, il would seem, every.
body agrees AItgeld and Bryan will
have
But, taking the best and most con-
servative testimony of both sides,
Bryan to day stands to get the State
by 10000. 1t remains to be seen
whether the McKinleyites Can bribe
or browbeat this down All honest
future changes of political faith in
the State will be FROM gold 90 fee
silver daily This is particularly
true of the southern half of the
State. where Bryan met such enthu
siastic thousands as ne crossed it
Monday.
In Chicago Bryan is the open and
admitted candidate Of all Of the
trades unions. His speech Labor
day made a profound impression By
the way, the labor men say that the
attendance at the park where Bryan
spoke that day was over 100000
The labor uuions make no doubt
of Bryan's success in Illinois.
To sum up, from all | could see
aud learn. Bryan and free silver vii!
carry Illinois, and do it handsomely
The Populists will do their part, and
the free silver Republicans would
seem to outnumber the gold Demo
Gratis about 10 to L. Bryan should
win by good majority. All he has
to fear, for it is the only loophole Of
Republican escape, is the Mckinley
syndicate's money in Chicago. If
they can buy or bribe victory, they
will do so.
All of the Chicago papers are for
Mckinley and violently against Bry-
an. This need breed no alarm They
were as violently against Cleveland
in 1892, when he carried Cook coun-
ty by fully 10000 majority and took
the State out Of the Republican list
fol the first time since the days Of
Douglas They were as violently
against Carter Harrison when he was
made mayor by a large majority
Bryan need have no fears of the Chi
cago press if the past is any guide
AZ the day stands, put Illinois in the
Rrvan column Let it stay till