The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-12


There is a strong probability, how
ever, that some of these States may not
give a majority for the Mckinley elect
Ors. First In the list is Delaware, where
there are serious divisions between the
Addicks and Higgins factions of the
Republicans. and where there is ad-
mitted to be considerable silver senti-
ment. Still, this State could be lost
and the majority of the electoral college
be on McKinley's side. If Indiana or
Michigan or Minnesota should either or
all of them be carried for Bryan, the
Republicans would have to seek else
where for the votes to make up the de-
ficit OF these three States, strange as
it may seem, MINNESOTA is possibly
Democratic. The fusion arranged there
between the Democrats and POpulists,
and the boiling silver Republicans
makes the state at least doubtful ground
at the present writing. even though this
doubt may be removed between now
and the election. In Michigan a cur
ious condition prevails. The Republi-
cans have nominated q silver Republi-
can for Governor and propose to vote
for him on the State ticket, and for
Mckinley and a. gold standard on the
national ticket. How far this will af-
feet the result is as yet an unanswered
problem AS for Indiana, the Demo-
Gratis are claiming it, but the Republic
cans are equally confident, relying as
much upon the influence of ex-President
Harrison as they do upon Mckinley and
pro< tn, Tot hn f,,ui
the Democrats with the Populists has
been partial. Illinois is also a battle
ground.
The possibility of the Republicans
losing some of the States named in the
above table suggests some interesting
combinations:
If the Republicans should carry all
of the States named except Delaware
and Minnesota, they could still win if
they carried West Virginia.
If the Republicans should carry all Of
the States except Illinois, they could
win with Kentucky and Virginia which
would give them 225 votes.
If the Republicans should carry all
Of the States except Delaware, Minne-
sofa, and Indiana, they could win with
Wyoming, Kentucky, and West Vir-
ginia, which would give them also 225
votes.
The Republicans could lose even Illi-
nois, Indiana, Minnesota. and Delaware,
which would take away 81 votes from
their column, and could make up this
deficit with Kentucky, West Virginia,
North and South Dakota. Wyoming, Ne
oil y&oI fnl,
combined give 81 votes also.
In short. the first-named table gave no
southern or extreme western states to
the Republicans. Among them, the Re-
publicans say. there is an excellent
chance Of gaining several electoral
votes.
There is little chance that the solid
south will be broken. North Carolina
and Virginia are at the present time un-
doubtedly Democratic, and the chances
are that they will remain so. The Re-
publicans have some hope of Kentucky,
but their chances there have certainly
been lessened by the declaration of Sem
ator Lindsay, Representative McCreary,
and other administration gold Demo-
Gratis, who have come out for Bryan
and Sewall. In Maryland, or at least
in the rural districts of that state. there
Is a tremendous wave of silver senti-
ment, and instance after instance could
be given to show that large numbers of
Democrats who went over to the Repub
lcan side last year and voted for Lown
des have returned to their old allegiance.
Mr.. Elkins says that he will see to it
that West Virginia is brought into the
Republican column. If he can redeem
his promise it will be just six more
votes to McKinleys credit.
On the whole. however. the Republi-
cans will be leaning upon a thin reed
If they look for any great gains in the
south. They must seek their votes
How these votes may be OBJ
tanned has already been shown.
Unless all signs fail the outlook for
Republican States on the Pacific Slope
is not encouraging. In California the
as well as the Democrats.
declared for free coinage at 16 to 1. and
now that the Democrats have fused
with the Populists the State is certainly
Democratic. Some have placed the ma
jority as high as $4,000, but this is
doubtless eXaggeration. In Washing
ton the straws are very significant.
Senator Squire. who has been favorable
to gold and who is a Republican of the
deepest dye, has declared for Bryan
and Sewall, with which declaration he
climbs upon the political band wagon
in his State and hopes to be returned to
the senate. Bryan Republican clubs
are being formed all over the state, and
the Democrats and Populists have
united in the common silver cause.