The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
Figures Given in News Columns Only Allow 0deIl a Majority of 1073 and a Republican House by Six.
Chairman Griggs ClaimsSweep- ing Democratic Victory, and Says He Has No Reason to Change Previous Estimates.
BY PATTERSON srEALEY.

x Washington, November 2.-(Special.)-It is conceded by conservative politicians of both parties here that the approaching elections bear more of an element of doubt and uncertainty than has been wit messed for years. Any correct predic- ton which might be made is at best sim ply a guess Anyway the election goes will not cause the slightest surprise among politicians of either party. The New York Herald says this morning edi- torially that under the circumstances it prefers to make no prediction. Its news columns give OdelI but 1079 majority in New York, out of a million and half of voters, and re-elects a republican house by a majority of six.
 From a perfectly reliable source, it is learned that Babcock and the republi- can leaders are counting upon much smaller majorities than they have given the public in their final forecasts. It Is known that Babcock will be entirely sat- isf1ed If the election is close enough to throw 1t into the hands of the republican clerk, who organizes the next house of representatives.
 Griggs Claims Victory.
 Chairman Griggs, on the other hand, claims a sweeping democratic victory. The betting of two to one and ten to seven against the democrats Is due large ly to the fact that the republicans. to use race horse parlance. are fin form" hav- ing won the last four campaigns
 The odds do not represent the exact situation for it is generally agreed that the result of the election Is practically an even bet up to the time the votes are counted
 While the campaign was practically closed last night, the democrats at com mittee headquarters have been busily en- gagged today in figuring on the doubtful districts throughout the country. Chair man Griggs says he finds no reason to change his final estimate of yesterday that the house will be democratic by at least twenty majority. There is un- doubtedly a strong feeling among the committee officials that they will win the big fight day after tomorrow. They say 1t is not the feeling of hopefulness which existed during the last four congressional campaigns, but a feeling of confidence that the democratic party reunited and enthusiastic, is at last in a position to meet the republican party face to face on something like an equal footing.
 Comparison Made.
 The campaign of 1898, for example, is compared with the present. Tn that year the party was divided and dis-organized and yet the republicans only had the house by thirteen majority. Democratic committee officials argue that if they were defeated by such a close vote in 1898 under the distressing party differ ences prevalent that year, there ought to be more than an even chance for the election of democratic house Tuesday. New York democrats incline to the opinion that the party is not for obvious reasons, as strong in the west as it was four years ago. They believe, however, that eastern gains will offset western losses to such an extent that majority will be shown for the democratic ticket.
 At the democratic committee headquar- ters western losses are not conceded. The committee officials claim that the tariff revision sentiment In that section will compel its advocates to vote for the democratic candidates as there is no oth- CT possible way of registering protest against the present high tariff.