New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-23
how BRYAN MIGHT WIN.
COMBINATION OF ELECTORAL VOTES
BY WHICH A PLURALITY CAN BE
FIGURED OUT FOR THE
NEBRASKAN.

washington. June % CspeciaD-Can Bryan
wfn7 Win Mckinley be reelected? These ere
questions which have been seriously discussed
in private by Administration leaders in Wash
ington for months past. and political observers
who had listened TO some of the discussions were
not in the least surprised when they read in
Saturdays newspapers the report of the impas-
Soned not to say panicky. speech delivered on
Friday by the chairman OF the Republican
National Committee on the Delaware
lest. That speech put into words for the pub
tic ear anxetes and fears which have
long haunted the minds Of shrewd polit-
clans who warm friends and loyal sup
.porters Of the National Administration
men who not timid alarm!sts or in the
1east disposed TO exaggerate political dangers or
party difficulties If anybody is qualified cor
Tectly 10 interpret the views or express the
hopes or apprehensions Of the President in
gard to the POLITICAL future. that man is Sen
ator Hanna Until the latter spoke there may
have been doubt 10 whether the President
shared the fears that have disturbed many Of
the other Republican leaders in respect to the
probable result Of the impending Presidential
campaign, but such doubt cannot any longer
exist
And Mr. Hanna emphaticaIly and with ap-
parent sincerity declares that McKinleys
OF the little state Of Delaware. which occupies
so small place on the political map Of the Ma
ton. # I, be forwarned IS 10 be forearmed the
Republican party owes vote Of thanks to the
chairman Of the National Committee. a year
ago his warning might have appeared fantastic
and absurd Not now A calm and dispas-
sionate review Of the political events of the last
twelve years and OF the election returns for that
period, viii convince any man that the misgiv-
did in the meeting Of the Republican National
Committee on Friday last are not wholly
groundless.
In 1888 the country resented the threat Of the
Democratic party TO destroy the protective tariff
by voting President Cleveland and his Admin
tstration out Of power. General Harrison
ceived nearly 30 per cent of the electoral vote
In his Administration the lines OF protection
were strengthened, industries and business re-
Tived prosperity was restored in a degree never
before enjoyed and yet, in 1892, Mr.. Cleveland
was reelected President, receiving little more
than CO per cent OF the electoral vote. Harrison
less than 90 Per cent and Weaver the rest
States like Illinois and Kansas. which had never
before wavered in their allegiance to the Repub-
lican party. were swept away. and Michigan and
Ohio together gave One-siXth Of their electoral
votes 10 Cleveland. OF the total number Of cleo
toral votes he received a majority of 10 and
plurality OF 132.
In 1898 Democratic hard times and a threat
20 drive the country TO 4 silver basis, which
caused hundreds of thousands of honest money
Democrats to rebel against their party resulted
81 the return of the Republican party TO power
after the hottest contest It had ever known. Mt
Mckinley received a majority Of 95 votes-15
less than Cleveland's majority over Harrison
and Weaver in 1892. Mr.. Bryans total vote was
176. He carried all the States that Weaver had
carried in 1892, and four that Harrison had car
Tied IL The same year, besides the solid South.
If he had received forty-eight more electoral
votes than he did he and not Mr.. Mckinley
would lave been elected President. He is to try
again this year. In order TO succeed he must
receive 224 electoral votes, the total number of
such votes being AL. Where can he obtain them?
The following table win disclose twelve diff
6erent combinations Of electoral votes, any one
of which represents votes enough to elect the
Boy Orator or any other candidate In the first
column Of the table VIII be found the number Of
electoral votes Bryan received from the respect
ave States in 1896, and in the numbered columns
which follow will be found the various combi-
nations, any one Of which would be sufficient to
elect him: