The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-09
THE FIGURES SWELL
Democratic Chairman Claims
Atkinson by 10000 Majority
POPULIsTs CHARGE FRAUD
Legislature Has Only 90 Popu-
lists and 3 Republicans.
Mr.. CRIsP's ELECTION ASSURED

Jones Says 10000 For 5rYan--But-
Ter Claims Majority of Whites
For Populists.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 8.-Populist State
Chairman Cunningham gives the Asso-
ciated Press the following statement:
''To the Associated Press:
THE Democratic estimate given out
by the morning papers was evidently
well-padded, for the purpose of cook
ing the returns under the claim Of
an increased majority. This is thor
Oughly demonstrated by semi-oficial
reports received by me up TO this hour,
II o'clock noon. My instructions were
that only complete returns should be
wired me. Hence we will not receive
any returns until this afternoon and
night. Nine counties have reported,
showing a Democratic loss of ], 1850 from
figures given out by Democratic morn
ing papers. At this ratio, Atl1inson's
majority could not be over 10000, but,
as the Populistic counties have not
yet reported, we confidently expect
that the majority viii be wiped out
unless the Democratic boards illegally
throw out Populist precincts as has
been done heretofore.
"A partisan registration law has
been used as a tremendous instrument
of fraud. Copies OF the list were re
fused Populists in nearly every county
and bogus and 'doctored' lists sent to
Populist precincts, thereby disfran-
chising in some instances twenty or
thirty per cent of the legal Populist
voters. Reports show the negroes
voted solidly against us in nearly every
county. / confidently believe Wright
is elected on a fair count of the votes
as cast, in spite of tremendous frauds.
(Signed)
JOHN ID. CUNNINGHAM,
"Ch'm'n Pop. Ex- Com. of Georgia
The Journal this afternoon says:
THE result was obtained after a
hard fought campaign in which the
issues were clearly made. Those issues
were entirely local and yesterdays
. vote cannot be considered as having
any bearing upon the National cam
paign.
''The election demonstrates three
things
Il. That the people of Georgia en-
dorse the administration Of Governor
Atkinson.
"2. That they are opposed 10 the
State prohibition law and want the
present local option system main
tanned
SO. The negroes of Georgia appreciate
the fair treatment which has been
given them by the present State adj
ministration."
ALL CONGRESSMEN DEMOCRATIC.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 8.-The official re-
turns from McDuffie county, the home
of Thomas E. Watson, show that the
POpulists have carried it by 504 ma
jority. Seaborn Wright, the POpulist
candidate for Governor carries his
home county, Floyd-a former Demo
cratic stronghold-by 200 majority.
The later returns shows greater
Populist gains thaulosses, Cobb eoun-
ty, the home of Democratic Chairman
Clay, reporting last night 800 Democrat
ic majority shows only 500 Democratic
majority this afternoon.
Several Democratic counties show up
with larger najorities than at first re-
ported, but it is not believed that At
kinson's majority will exceed $4,000
and perhaps it will not be more than
10000.
The Democratic majority win exceed
the vote given Atkinson by several
thousand.
The slowness with which the Official
returns are received is causing much
complaint and the Populists are charg-
ing frauds in the Southern Georgia
counties, where the negro vote is
strongest
The following is from A. S. Clay,
Chairman Democratic Executive com
mittee: Georgia has gone Democratic
by 10000 majority. Governor Atlrin-
son is reelected by at least 10000 ma
iority over the combined opposition.
The rest of the State ticket is elected
by over $4,000 majority.
The General Assembly is composed
of. 175 members of the House and a
Senators. The Populists have elected
% members OF the House and Eena-
tors, and the Republicans have elected
two members of the House and one
Senator. The Democrats elected 80
Senator's and 151 representatives This
is approximately correct.
Georgia viii give Bryan and Sewall
a majority over the combined Opposi-
tion and will elect all the Democrats
CSigned) A. s. CLAY,
Chairman Dem Ex Com. of Georgia.
JONES AND BUTLER.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. Sin response to
an inquiry from the Journal Senator
Jones, chairman of the Democratic Ma
tional committee wired the following
statement:
Chicago, Oct. s.
The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.
'The Georgia election means a solid
South as well as a solid West for Mr..
Bryan in November. Considering the
fact that the Georgia Democracy had
arrayed against it, the united strength
IF the administration, the Republicans,
and the Prohibitionists, a
(ContiEued on fourth page.)