The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-28
TAKING A NE W POSITION
THE SiLVERITES NOW REJOICE IN
UNCERTAIN RESULTS.
Overwhelmed by Mr.. McKiniey's Show NJ
Strength. They Claim All Estimates
Are Now Unreliable.

WASHINGTON, d. c., October a.
Special.-The silver leaders here. unable
to control the overwhelming mass Of cir
cumstantiai evidence produced by the Re-
publicans to show the preponderance OF
sound-money sentiment in the country,
are taking new position. They now
declare that the estimates OF leaders on
both sides are valueless; that the polls
made in various sections are unreliable.
and that neither side has any reliable in
formation upon which to base predictions
of success
Having reached this conclusion they
proceed TO argue In favor OF the GER
tainty Of Bryan's election BY dividing the
people into great classes. and estimating
the percentage of each that can be de-
pended upon to support the Democratic
nominees.
A UNIQUE METHOD.
This apparently roundabout way OF ar
irving at a conclusion, while unique. Is
probably as accurate as any of the esti-
mates the silver leaders have yet made.
Senator Faulkner. acting as the chief
p.ognosticator OF the Bryan leaders In
this city. says with regard to the classes:
I'VE have got the undivided support OF
the DemOcTdtic ldfIntIS. NO one Will
attempt to deny that. They are for
Bryan to u man. Then We Will get from
10 TO 20 per cent. of the Republican farm
ers votes i'm the middle West, and not
less than SO per cent. OF the labor vote
in all sections.
HE is CERTAIN.
Now OF this" said the Senator. speak
ing with strong emphasis. Il am ccr-
tain. / know what the feeling is among
the farmers and the laboring men OF tho
country, and | am as as well satisfied
that they are for Bryan as | am of any
thing. We will lose many Democratic
votes in the cities. but the Democratic
detection will be fully Offset by our gains
from the Republicans in the rural dis
tricts. In addition to these large classes
Of citizens | nave mentioned, | find that
a large percentage of the retail mer-
chant in country districts and In the
small towns and villages are for silver.
To ali these votes will be added those
Of the Popullsts. and L cannot see how
we are to be defeated
FIGHTING ON DEBATABLE GROUND
The strenuous efforts Republicans are
making in the doubtful States. and their
estimates Of an enormous majority for
Mckinley are construed by the Demo-
Gratis as an indication OF fear. and not
or commence. 10 All lutSc Stdt'tptit-,
however. the Republicans reply with
good-natured rid.cule. They claim. and
with propriety, that the Democratic
managers are simply binding themselves
10 the real sit Iation, and are pretending
ignorance In the closing week OF the
fight, to encourage their followers. just
as a few weeks ago they pretended
lmitless knowledge for similar pur-
pose.
The Republicans assert that all tho
figures they have given out are as nearly
accurate as II is possible to make an
ante-election statement, and that they
will all be verified when the votes are
counted.
ALL UNEASY.
In spite Of the apparent confidence OF
the leaders on both sides. however, there
is no doubt that they are all growing
more anxious as the election draws near
IL cannot be said that Mr.. Mckinley Is
yet certain of election. but the chances
seem to be overwhelmingly i'm his favor.
Both sides concede that the labor vote
Will prove an important factor in deter.
mining the result. and the labor vote is
still doubtful element in the cam
paisn.