The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-10-27
DRIFT FOR BRYAN.
AN OPINION THAT is VALUA-
BILE BECAUSE OF CAUTION.
Henry George Undertook Trip Through
the Doubtful States Convinced That Nc
Kinley Would Win-His Observation
Leads Him to Change That Opinion.

Early in September Mr.. Henry
George was requested by the New York
Journal to make 2 tour of the So
called doubtful states in the middle
west and to give the public in an en-
tirely unbiased manner the result of his
observations of the political conditions
existing there.
Before his reply was received the
EewS came from Maine of the in
creased republican majority at tha
state election there. Then followed
Mr.. Georges answer as follows:
Chicago, Sept. Is, 1896.
Editor New York Journal:
I'm my opinion, confirmed by Maine,
the result is foregCne I believe, there
fore, that a convinced free silver man
would be better to make proposed trip
fer Journal than I, as candor is some
times uselessly painful to friends.
Will go ahead if you wish and do my
best to give exact truth as I see it,
but my judgment and feelings are
against this.
Would prefer to save my time and
your money by not beginning. Gould
stop until to-morroW's committee meet
ing for your private information if
you wish, though do not think I could
learn anything not public; otherwise
would start back Advise me, Victoria
hotel HENRY GEORGE"
In reply to this message the editor Of
The Journal telegraphed to Mr.. George,
requesting him to remain for a short
time in the doubtful territory and de-
scribe the situation just as he saw it.
On Oct. 5 Mr.. George, having spent
three weeks in the doubtful states,
more especially in Illinois, Ohio and
West Virginia was requested to tee
graph, for the information Of the ed
tor of The Journal his opinion of the
probabilities. In reply he sent the fol-
lowing:
cleveland O., Oct. 5.
Editor New York Journal:
my belief is that Bryan will be
elected.
This is my carefully formed private,
as well as public, opinion. I congratu-
late The Journal on the good pros
poets. HENRY GEORGE.
Mr.. George, it IS seen, began his
Journey with the settled conviction that
McKinley's election was assured. For
this reason he suggested that some one
else undertake the 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.
fairness of statement in all mat
G9oliticaI. it was especially desired
). lihe should make this trip and do
::l7work. His reports are therefore
..Iisble for their entire candor and
':Lbility.
X George has himcelf been sur
I'd at the results of his investisa-
rim the doubtful states. He began
lin fully convinced that Mckinley
L win. The results have convinced
that Bryan VII WI.
Ter having sent The Journa! the
above dispatch from Cleveland. O.. on
Oct. 5. Mr.. George continued his jour
ney through the safes o. Indiara, Wis
eonsin Michigan, AID Minnesota and
refurned to New York On the 18th OF
October he submitted his final report
to The Journal as follows. 1t is all
she stronger and more valuable for its
extreme caution and conservatism:
"October IS, 1896
Editor New York Journ7l
~ came back to New York over nor