The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-10-10
DOUBTFUL DISTRICTS.
Reports Being Received at Con-
greSsiOnal Headquarters
COME FROM ALL PARTS OF THE
COUNTRY.
Republicans Expect Safe Majority in
the Next COngreSS--A Conservative
Revision of the Tariff--ViewS
of Member of the Admin
iStratiOn About the Mid
die West.

hShlNtlON, Ocl -COupTeSSlOudl utuu-
quarters in this city are now receiving daily
full reports from all the doubtful districts
throughout the country. At the Republican
headquarters the fullest confidence is ex-
pressed that the party will have a safe work.
ing majority in the Fifty-nfth Congress. This
opinion is based upon returns received from
various candidates and from State, county
and district chairmen. The managers declare
that while the large Republican majority in
the present Congress will doubtessly be re-
duced, they have every reason to believe that
the Fifty-ffth Congress will not only be safely
Republican but will have a majority amply
sufficient to carry through a conservative
revision Of the tariff. While they do not
intimate that a re-enactment of the Mckinley
bill is contemplated the managers state that
the present tariff bill will certainly be modi-
fed on revenue lines and duties increased to
a degree which will afford sufficient revenues
to conduct the operations of the Government
and provide a small surplus.
CLAIMS FROM BOTH SIDES.
The committee which is in close touch with
the Republican National Committee received
today Information from Indiana and Illinois
which encourages the belief that both States
are reasonably safe for Mckinley and Hobart
electors, and that the work to be done between
now and election will simply increase the
majority already assured. The Republican
managers also profess confidence that Mime
sofa and Michigan are equally safe, and they
laugh at the idea that Ohio is in doubt At
Democratic headquarters all of these States
are as confidently claimed for Bryan and
Sewell. 1t is stated there that revusion is
in progress in Maryland which is likely to
give the electoral vote Of that State to Bryan
and that the Republican claims that West
Virginia and Kentucky are safe for Mckinley
and Hobart are only based upon the hopes Of
the Republican managers.
THROUGH THE DOUBTFUL STATES.
A prominent member of the Administration
who is home today after n protracted tour
throughout the West, gives it as his opinion
gan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa are safe
for the Mckinley and Hobart electors. He
said to the LEDGER correspondent this
evening: II have been absent from Washing
ton nearly six weeks, and have been on the
railroad the larger portion of the time in the
so-called doubtful States. 1 recognize fully
that the campaign has been and will be until
its close one of the most desperate in the
history Of American politics. But am sure
Of my observations from personal conversa-
ton with farmers, business men and working
men in the so-called doubtful States that
Mckinley will most certainly be elected. The
vast bulk of the Democrats who stand for
sound money throughout the West will ignore
the Indianapolis ticket and cast their votes
for Mckinley and Hobart, knowing that by so
doing they are doing double the damage to
the Bryan campaign which they would do if
they cast their votes for Palmer and Bucbner
My judgment is that there is nearly double
the Democratic disafection from the free
coinage ticket through the West that there is
in the Republican loss of allegiance to the st.
Louis platform and its nominees. | believe
confidently that Illinois will give SO 900 ma
jority for Mckinley and Hobart; that Indiana
and Michigan are absolutely safe and Wiscon-
sin is as sure as Massachusetts for the Repub-
lican nominee; that Iowa will maintain her
record of 10000 majority and upwards, and
that Minnesota will swing into line, despite
the nomination of John Lind and the Sean
dinavian vote, which is expected to control
for free silver. | look for both Nebraska and
Wyoming to cast their electoral votes for
Mckinley. do not count upon any other
State west Of the Missouri river. As for
Kentucky, have no hope that the Republic
can party will break the solid South outside
of Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland,
all of which, in my judgment, from present
appearances, should be counted for the Re
publican tick et.''