The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-19
ELECTION IS A PUZZLE
Democrats Appear to have the
Long End of It.
BRYAN'S PROSPECTS GOOD
Indications Are That He Will Have Votes
to Spare in 1eOO-A Big Ant
Republican Majority
in Ohio.

'. W.
Washington, Nov. 15.-The elections
puzzle the politicians. 1t is hard to tell
whether they settle any vexed aues-
tons, and, if they do SO, how they set
tie them. Honors We're equally divided
SO far as states were concerned, and the
results in Nebraska and Ohio certainly
gratif1ed the friends of the candidates
of 1896. But it remains to be figured
out whether the silver question or the
issue Of imperialism played an i'm
portant part in the vote. The result
was practically discounted by expert
enced politicians, for it was generally
believed here by prominent men of both
parties that Maryland and Nebraska
would be democratic. Ohio republican
and Kentucky close, with chances fav-
oring the defeat of Goebel by the
Brown detection. But it connot be
doubted that the republicans came off
second best in the contest if the appar-
emit effect on the next general election
is considered They did not secure an
actual majority in any of the doubtful
states. On the contrary, the democrats
carried Maryland and Nebraska high
and dry over all opposition combined;
lucky united shows that state can and
will go democratic when a national
ticket is in the field: and in McKinley's
own state his majority of $4,000 over all
In 1896 has been transformed to a COM
bined opposition majority of $4,000. The
democrats have gained all the state Of
fees and legislature in Maryland; and
they have gained a senator in Ken
lucky (for GoldbEg Lindsey has not
counted since 1896, while the republic
cans have in Ohio and Kentucky, at
best, only retained what they previous
mo
forcibly the democratic combination of
states suggested In this correspondence
before the election as offering best as
surance of success in 1900. If Bryan
carries the same ELECTORAL vote in 1900
as he did in 1896. to be elected he will
need only the eight votes of Maryland
(Which went democratic by 1900 last
Tuesday,: the IL additional votes Of
Kentucky Tin which the united democ-
racy had $4,000 majority last Tuesday,;
full set of democratic state officers);
the six votes of West Virginia (after
Maryland, who can doubt ito; she
eight additional votes of California
(Which seem certain after the San
Francisco elections); and the Is votes
into account the strong probability that
the democrats can carry Illinois, now
that the city of Chicago has become
overwhelmingly democratic.
OF course there is some doubt of the
ability of Mr.. Bryan to carry Wyoming
and South Dakota, states which were in
his column in 1896, but their aggregate
electoral vote is but seven, and would
be easily offset by any change in the
Eastern states. It5fs therefore consid-
cred by experienced democratic politi-
clans that there are strong prospects of
success in the next PRESIDENTIAL election,
and that they are made more appar-
ent than before by the results last Tues
day.
Even in Ohio all is not lovely for the
president notwithstanding the great size
Of the republican plurality. Will not
voted for Jones be likely to vote for
Bryan If the golden rule mayor an
nounces that as his position? Is he not
very likely to take this attitude In view
of the position taken by him since cleo
ton, in which he declares that his vote
can be taken as protest against the
presidents I'M Christianlike policy in the
Philippines? Is there any reason to
doubt that the democrats who support
ed Jones will next year be found loyal
to Bryan? These questions are among
the many presented by the astonishing
vote polled by Jones, and these ques-
tions answered in the Affirmative by
the people would make republican sue
cess in the presidents own state next
year exceedingly uncertain.
Senator Cockfell OF Mlssourl' III an III
terview to-day, brings out prominently
the fact that the elections have not set
tied definitely any of the questions ct
ISSUE except in Nebraska.
THE administration has certainly not
been sustained in Ohio" he says, by
majority of the voters. The combined
vote for Mclean and Jones is about
$4,000 greater than the vote for Nash,
and to this extent the administration
candidate is in the minority in Ohio.
Jones stood for principles opposed to the
republican party. He was against the
Philippine policy and against Hanna.
the administrations chief representative
in the state. Mclean, of course, was
hostile to the republican party. The
people who voted for Jones and Mclean
voted against he ideas represented by
the republicans, and 1t seems" said the
senator, that the voters who were