The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-01
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From Philadelphia Times.
The Republican Presidential canvass
up TO date has been free-for-all race,
with no one sufficiently in the lead to be
sure of nomination. OF the 9l2 delegates
which will constitute the 81, Louis Con-
reution, less than one-half-or 10 De
exact, only agS-have been elected Inc
manner in which these delegates VIII
align themselves in the convention Is en-
tirelv a matter of guesswork. The esti-
mates of McKinley's strength are espe-
cially varied, Mark Hanna claiming ior
the Ohio candidate go delegates already
elected. and Manley, the Reed organizer,
whiting the Mckinley following down
10 I50. or considerably less than ma
jority at this time.
All estimates agree that Mckinney Is
strongly in the lead and that he Will con-
tinue to lead until the first ballot has
been taken in the convention. The guess
ing and prophesying about what viii
happen then is widely divergent. Me-
Kinley's friends claim the nomination OF
their favorite ON the first ballot, or, iall-
ing that, a rapid disintegration OF the
favorite son following in the Mckinney
interest as the ballot proceeds. The anti
Mckinley leaders prophesy that the ONO
candidate will be stronger on the hrst
than upon any subsequent ballot ana
that. falling to receive majority on the
first ballot, the winner of the field dele
gates against him viii dispose of his can
didacy.
1t may be safely assumed that these d.
vereent views are Of the kind in which
the wish is father to the thought, ana
that neither side is quite so sure as II pro-
fesses to be. There are good many
State conventions to be held yet, ana
more than halfof the district delegates
are vet TO be chosen. The field for effect
i've hustling is still an extensive one, and
he who prophesies as 10 the outcome De-
fore the end of April will be basing his
predictions chiefly on:guesses. There
will be twelve State and Territorial con-
ventions held in April, as follows;
Oregon. April Q, Kentucky, Nebraska
and North Dakota. April Is; New Jersey
and Maine, April IL; Tennessee, April y;
Pennsylvania, April .; Indian Territory,
April -: Alabama, April 2s. and Georgia
and Illinois, April % New Hampshire
will hold its convention Tuesday,
March 81.
Il Is possible that in a few other States,
the dates of whose conventions have not
been announced yet, an April date may
be selected. but assuming that all other
conventions will be held in May, the list
Of delegates to be elected in April is an
important one. The States holding April
conventions will be entitled to "a dele
gates. divided as follows: Oregon, s; Ken
tncky, 26; Nebraska, Ii; North Dakota.
! t; New Jersey %; Maine, Il; Tennessee,
~: Pennsylvania, 64; Indian Territory,
=; Alabama, %; Georgia, 26, and Illinois,
Il. While district delegates have been
elected in nearly all of the above men
/ toned States. they cannot be accurately
assigned among the several candidates
until the State conventions have been
| held. 1t viii be easily seen from these
figures, therefore. that no candidate has a
sure thing at this time.
This state eofuncertainty will keep the
political excitement at fever heat dur
ing the coming month, and disinterested
observers, if they are any, will have a
good opportunity to look on and enjoy
the fun. April is going to be a great
month for the Presidential boomers.