The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-07
READING THE BULLETINS
How News of the Election Was Re-
ceiyed in Washington.
Intense Interest Exhibited In the Re-
sult-Thousnnis Crowd Around the
. Newspaper Omces - Many Clubs
Keep Open HOuse-At the White
Housc nnd Political Headquarters.

1T was the night oil great national cleo
ton, and all Washington went election
mad. From Georgetown to the Eastern
Branch the residents Of the National Capt.
tai evidenced such an interest in the out
come CT the struggle Of two great political
parties to elect the candidate who will oc-
cupy the White House for the forthcoming
four years as has never before been shown
From early in the evening until long after
midnight thousands upon thousands Of peo-
pie watched and waited for the figures. and
alternately cheered or h0wled in derision
as the results appeared favorable or I'M
pleasant, according to their views. Penn
sylvania Avenue was the Mecca for great
muititudes, which, having no opportunity
to cast ballots expressing their prefer
ence. hung anxiously on the decision ar
rived at by their more fortunate fellow
citizens throughout the country.
1t was in the majority a Democratic
crowd, and it cheered such bulletins as
gave the candidate from Nebraska large in
creases, while figures favorng the Repub-
iican party were mainly received with less
enthusiasm. Nor was the enthusiasm con-
lined to any body Of partisans. AT tine
White House and executive departments
the newspaper offices. and from the man
sions of officials to the Darroom. 'rowds
assembled and, with hitherto unknown in
tsrest, eagerly figured and hcp ped and wait
ed. There have been crowds gathered CT
other November nights to learn how cam
paigns have developed, and much interest
has always been displayed in the outcome,
but it has all been as nothing when COM
pared with last nights demonstration.
For nearly six hours throng of from
1900 TO 100000 people swarmed Pennsyl-
vania Avenue from Seventh Street to Four
teenth Street, and bedlam reigned. Yells
and whoops went up for both Bryan and
Mckinley. ImpTOvised campaign songs were
sung By happy groups. Buttons and ban
ners were displayed for the last time in the
struggle and enthusiasts screamed the
names OF winning candidates in their home
precincts and States. Unlike every other
large city in the country. there were no
local candidates in whom secondary inter-
est conferred, and the crowds were com
posed of men from all the States and Ter
ritories of the Union.
There was something in the air
which compelled men to leave the quiet
of homes and join with the shriekine
thousands. In clubs and private residences
the enthusiasm was less boisterous, but
little groups found keen meaning in each
bulletin. AT the departments and the
White House the interest was at blood
heat and the figures flashing across the
wires gave the Government officials an in
sight into the situation.
The whirlpool OF enthusiasm formed a
vortex around the newspaper offices where
bulletins were displayed every few mo-
ments. Here the interest centred and
the decisions of States were learned
The largest crowd ever gathered in
front nj local off IN ha
history of the city was that which gained
its Information from The Times. The
square in front of The Times building was
massed with a gathering which reached
far out beyond the car tracks on Pennsyl-
vania Avenue and made traffic almost i'm
possible. From the pavement on the north
side OF the thoroughfare to the sidewalk
on the south side all was a swaying mass
Of humanity. Tenth Street was jammed
view of the huge screen might
be had and d Street wasyimpassable.
The service given by The Times was the
most excellent in the history of local
journalism. Five operators were kept
busy in throwing bulletins on an enormous
screen by means Of a large stereopticon.
while minor figures were announced
through huge megaphone. There was
not a second of delay and interest was
hC'ti aiioNGo " nag lul LuOultut. lie
superb service OF the New York Sum-
was mainly responsible for the excellent
results and to this had been added the
special wires of the Postal and Western
Union Telegraph Companies and the di-
rect long distance wires of the Chesapeake
and Potomac Telephone Company. The
Times special correspondents in New
York. Indiana, and other States forwarded
bulletins en- the results. and the crowds
that never before had any
newspaper in this city shown so much en-
terprise in catering 10 the desires of the
people.
One feature which caused much favor
BILE comment was the fact that The Times
ilone displayed its bulletins without any
,oloring. The figures were given exact
y as they were received over the wire and
no attempt was made to make matters
ook more cheerful for either party. This
honest service was appreciated and as a
result those who learned the results from
The Times screen knew how two score
If States had voted before any others of
he watchers in the city. The crowd was
extremely enthusiastic and kept up con-
.inuous series of yells and cheers.
Elsewhere the shifting multitudes found
pleasure in hooting and bowling good
The enterprising advertiser
ound many ways in which to make the |
election an excuse to add to the fame Of !
lis wares. The campaign notion peddler |
vas in his glory and the throngs were !
fright with huge buttons and pins, while !
many were possessed OF large tin horns |
md squealing rubber pigs labeled
Hanna" Improvised bands beat mad
y on tin pans and blared horri-
,ly through bugles. while the small
roy added TO the din with common
liable industry. even rivaling his father
md big brother in wild ideas of enthusi-
Ism.
From all the suburbs Of the Dis |
riot poured steady stream OF hu-
ocal enthusiasts were thus recruited. /,
Alexandria alone forwarded some 5000 |
usty -iunSed Democrats. who deadened |
II cries faroring the Republicans. One
Ong- winded follower OF Mr.. Bryan Sc
ured a mammoth megaphoue and patrolled
Avenue informing the wait
ne crowds that Bryan wins on the bit.
IcKinley tired In the stretch. Roosevelt
Eft at the post. Hanna fell"
The usual midnight silence Of the bust
css section of the city was lacking and
here was no perceptibfe lessening OF the
rowds when IL O'Clock came. The
ERE added to the parade of celebrants and
he hopeful yells were continued. At
clock there were still a goodly number In
no streets, and at daybreak groups OF ex-
tied and weary rooters occupied the street
orners. Even at the latter hour the cry
las Bryan. Bryan. Bryan" and the faith
nj supporters went to rest believing their
ought TO have been the next
resident of the United States.
At the White House the night force of
telegraph operators. e. W. Smithers. C. f.
ngling. Z. C. Heasley. and j. A. Rodier.
1 charge of Benjamin F.. Montgomery.
ere kept busy receiving the election re-