Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-05
THE P0PULIST CLAIM.
STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN
WAsHBURNE.
M'KINLEY IS EOT ELECTED,
On the other Hand the Later RE-
turns Justify the belief That
Bryan Is the Choice of the Peo-
nre.

CHICAGO. ILL, November 4-The fol-
lowing statement Of the presidential sItu-
alton was issued tonight by Ch-irman
Washburpe. of the Chicago headquar-
tiers, Peoples Party COMMITTEES:
ITO the Voters of the United States;
-Four facilities for receiving the cleo
ton returns are equal ~ any. We know
from private advices and the returns up
to date that Mckinley Is not elected. On
the othor hand, the later returns justify
our claim that Mr.. Bryan Is elected 1t
IS one OF the peculiarities OF Republican
enterprise that they always claim every
thing in sight few hours after the elec-
tion.
'In 1876. as well as In 1881, Il was not
known for three or four days which CAM
didate had won. Although the early re-
turns indicated Republican success. DEM
ocratlc success followed. Again, four
years ago, the early returns favored
Harrison's election, while the later ones
elected Cleveland. This year the early
returns favored Mckinley. because they
came from the Eastern and Middle
states. and from the cities OF other
STATES
and West were withheld, so as TO stam-
pede public sentiment that Mckinley was
elected whe her he was or not. and thus
create sentiment I'm advance which would
operate to his advantage I'm case tho
election was contested; while, on tho
other hand. had the first returns an
nounced Bryans success. and a contest
resulted. there would be an uprising OF
the people through fear OF repetition
Of the Tildcn episode.
1--WE have positive evidence that the
Republican National Committee have
wired their State committees TO claim
certain States which are In doubt. fear
ing that the subsequent returns might in
dicate Bryan's election. We shall soon
vigorously press the following question
viz, IL it is not for the purpose OF mani
pulating them, why are they held back7
NO RETURNING BOARD BUSINESS.
eve want the American people to be
patient and calm, and 10 walt for the
official returns, and pay no attention TO
the false reports sent out by manipulate
ing committees. We also feel justified IN
assuring the people that II Bryan IS elect
ed he will be seated. The will of the
people will never again be defeated
through the manipulation Of returning
boards to capture the presidency. The
political crime Of 1876 will be resisted, if
repeated.
THE returns this evening indicate that
Mr.. Bryan will carry all Of the States
west OF the Missouri and south OF the
Ohio and Potomac, which. without Mary
land and Delaware, make 90 votes. Dela-
ware Is still In doubt, but We are sure OF
one electOr, which makes Zl0. Add TO this
Michigan, fourteen votes, or Indiana,
fifteen votes and Il insures Bryau's elec-
tion. The returns from both OF these
States now show positive gains for Bryan
I'm all of the suburban districts. The
claims OF the Republicans were based
upon the reports from the cities. Now
that we are hearing from the country.
the situation is rapidly changing. The Re-
publcans are becoming alarmed. and the
/ silverites are triumphant in the belief
that Bryan will be our next President.
(Signed) GEORGE +. WASHBURNE,
Chairman Chicago Branch Peoples
Party National Executive Committee"