Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1896-10-30
THE DRIFT FOR BRYAN.
An Opinion That Is the More Valuable
Because of Its Extreme eau
ton and Conservatism.
Henry George Undertook a Trip Through
the Doubtful States Convinced That
Mckinley Would WIn-IIis Observa-
tion Leads Him To Change That
Opinion and lie Is Now
Confident of Bryan's
Success.

Early in September Mr.. Henry George
was requested by the New York Jour.
nal to make tour of the so-called
TO give the public in an entirely unbi-
aseG manner the result of his obseryu-
tions of the political conditions exist
inE there.
Before bis reply was received the
news come from Maine of the increased
republican majority at the state cleo
ticn there. Then followed Mr.. Georges
answer, as follows:
Chicago, Sept Is, 1896
Editor New York Journals:
I'm my opinion. confirmed by Maine.
the result Is foregone. believe, there
fore, that a convinced free silver man
would be better to make proposed trip
Tor Journal than /. as candor is something
Iselessly painful TO friends. VIII go ahead
~ you wish and do my best TO give exact
truth as see II, but my Judgment and
feelings are against this
Would prefer 10 save my time and your
money by not beginning. Could stop until
to-morrow's committee meeting for your
private information II you wish. though
do not think | could learn anything not
public; otherwise would start back. Ad-
wise me. Victoria hotel
HENRY GEORGE"
In reply to this message the editor of
thc Journal telegraphed to Mr.. George,
requesting him to remain for a short
time in the doubtful territory and de-
scribe The situation as he saw II.
On October Mr.. George. having
spent three weeks in the doubtful
states, more especially in Illinois, Ohio,
and West Virginia, was requested 10
telegraph. for the information of the
editor of the Journal, his opinion of the
probabilities. In reply, he sent the fol-
lowing:
Editor Nt> York Journal:
My BELIEF is that Bryan will be elected.
This is my carefully private as
well as public, opinion. l congratulate the
Journal on the good prospects.
"HENRY GEORGE"
Mr, George, il is seen, began his jour
uey with the settled conviction that
McKinley's election was assured. For
this reason he suggested that some one
else undertake tie trip for the Jour
nal. But as only the exact truth was
desired, and as Mr.. George is every.
where known for thoroughness of in
vestigation, accuracy of conclusion,
and fairness of statement in all mat.
ters political, il was especially desired
that he would make this trip and do
this work. His reports are therefore
valuable for their entire candor and
reliability.
Mr.. George has himself been sur
NJ hA Of 10 int
tons in the doubtful states. He began
his trip fully convinced that Mckinley
would win. The results have convinced
him that Bryan will win.
After having sent the Journal the
above dispatch from Cleveland, o., on
October 5, Mr.. George continued hiS
journey through the states of Indiana,
Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota and
returned TO New York. On the 18th of
October he submitted his final report
to the journal as follows. 1t is all
the stronger and more valuable for its
extreme caution and conservatism:
october, is. 1896.
Editor New York Journal:
81 came back to New York over more
than a third OF the continent TO register my
Union the speech in which he set forth
what. In my mind. is the most important OF
the issues of the campaign.
"The question which greets me from the
lips OF every friend have yet met, and the
question repeated in all have as yet had
opportunity to glance at In the pile of let
tiers | found awaiting me, is:
WHAT DO YOU REALLY THINK
WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THE
ELECTION"
Let me answer questioners and corre-
spondents. one and all. through the me-