Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-20
Republican Forecasts on Iowa
If Full Vote Is Polled.
LARGEST EVER KNOWN.
Figures on Two-thirds of the State
Are Accompanied by an Official
Warning on Apathy-The Falling
OFF in the Vote.

DSo VuoiuCS, OSpl. lU.-IlClulHS nave
been received from 65 per cent of the
voting precincts in Iowa giving repub-
lican estimates of the vote as it now
stands, providing the full vote is poll
ed. These returns, sent to State
Chairman Weaver from 1,40O out 2,15O
precincts, show that if the whole vote
is polled the republican majority in
the state will be larger than ever be-
fore. They show little falling off in
the republican vote and considerable
loss for the democrats.
These returns, say republican lead
ers,' represent every section, so they
ought to be reliable. Chairman Weav-
er, it is added, has been careful to Sc
cure reliable men to make this poll.
1t is said to represent close inquiry
into the politics of every voter in the
state by some man in his neighbor-
hood who is we'll informed and can get
accurate information.
The committeeman were directed to
send their poll books directly to the
state chairman as soon as each pre-
cinct was canvassed without waiting
for the entire county to be canvassed
so there is some information from ev-
cry county.
Warning by Chairman Weaver.
1T lis one thing, tho, to have the
votes, said Chairman Weaver, "and
quite another thing to get all the votes
into the ballot boxes on election day.
We have every reason to believe our
information from these precinct COM
mitteemen is both accurate and COM
plete, but these votes will do us no
good unless they are counted on cleo
ton day. That Is our chief concern,
and it is to this end that our efforts
are directed. We have not particle
of doubt of the, result in any congress
sional district providing we can get
our voters to the polls
In 1896 Chairman Mcmillan directed
a poll which was the most complete
ever made in Iowa up to that time. 1t
gave Mr.. Mckinley about 100000 votes
and Mr.. Bryan about $4,000. Ine
largest republican vote prior to that
year had been 229,376 for Mr. McFar-
land for secretary of state in 1894. The
largest democratic vote had been 207,-
594 for Horace Boies' second term for
governor in 1891, but it was known
that this included a large number of
republicans.
When Chairman McMillan's esti-
mate appeared it was ridiculed. The
democrats said it was big bluff and
the republicans winked and thought
the same. In the election which fol.
lowed Mr.. Mckinley had 2S9,293 and
| Mr.. Bryan 223,741. Chairman McMil.
than 100000. Such a complete vote was
never before polled in the state. Few
| men entitled to vote failed to exercise
| their right.
Falling Off in the Vote.
| From 1896 to 1897 the republican
vote in the state fell off more than
| $4,000, while the democratic vote fell
off only about $4,000. The falling off
from 1896 to 1898 in the republican
vote was about $4,000, and that in the
democratic vote about 200. The diff
ference between the republican vote
of 1899 and 1896 was about $4,000
while the democratic vote fell 10000
This year the democrats are show.
! ing greater energy and certainly have
greater resources in Iowa than they
had in 1896, and, moreover, they are
much better organized. Secretary
| Walsh of the democratic national com
mittee has boasted that he has $4,000
working correspondents in the state
Chairman Weaver invites republicans
to study these conditions and act &C
cordingly.
There is a good. steady demand fo,
speakers and literature at the republi
can state headquarters, and the loca
committees are eager for meetings
The campaign is developing from the
thinking to the shouting stage.