New-York tribune., 1906-10-25
TO COST HEARST VOTES.
Democratic Column on Machine IN
Erie Uithout Editors Name.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Buffalo, Oct. 24-In its recent effort to bring
about the downfall OF the Independence League
in Erie County the Democratic machine has
overreached itself, and now, a direct conse-
quence Of the Democrats action William R.
Hearst's defeat IN Erie County is regarded gen.
orally assured absolutely. The situation is
somewhat complex and is unique.
To begin with the Independence League circu-
lated petitions throughout the county noni-
mating complete local ticket. Shortly after
these petitions were put in circulation the DEM
ocratic machine leaders made exact copies of
the Independence League petition and circulated
them IN favor Of all the regular Democratic
county candidates and the regular Democratic
Assembly candidates in the 1st, "a and Sth AS
sembly districts. The court sustained Election
Commissioner Emersons ruling that the Inde-
pendence League petitions must be recognized.
and the league is to have column by itself
the voting machines. column that will be
headed by Hsarsts name.
Mr.. Emerson announced to-day that he also
would have to recognise the so-called inde-
pendent petitions submitted to him by the Dem
ocrats, and that the candidates named in these
petitions would have column by themselves on
the voting machines: also that the column for
these candidates would be the last column on
the machines, which column is regarded by
politicians the choicest next tc the first two
columns. that allotted respectively to the
Republicans and Democrats.
In othe. words. the Democrats will have their
entire ticket with Hearst at the head. in the sec
ond column and. in addition, they will have the
last column which will contain the names of all
the county candidates and three Assembly can
didates but no others. not even Hearst. This
column will be next TO the Independence League
column which will be an important factor IN the
voting It will tend to confuse the men who
wish to vote the Independence League ticket.
and they will be apt TO vote the so-called inde-
pendent Democratic ticket, thus losing vote
for Hearst every time such vote is cast.
The last column on the machine is estimated
from past experience to be worth at least ten
votes to an election district, and there are no
election districts in Buffalo That would mean
a loss of 100 votes to Hearst, or far more
than enough to beat him if his chances in Buff
falo were merely even with those of Hughes.
which OF course, they are not.
The whole situation, therefore, has shaped
itself TO where it is only question of trying TO
figure out how great Hughes's majority over
Hearst will be in Erie County, and the Demo
Gratis have practically given at least 1000 votes
to Hughes
There is no possibility of preventing the plac-
ing of this independent ticker on the machine,
but even il there is, there is manifestation
of such q desire thus far the part of Chair
man Coatsworth OF the Democratic organiZa
ton Mr.. Coatsworth hasn't recovered yet
from Hearst's sighting reference to him, when
he said "A man named Coatsworth tried 10
talk to me- but had neither the time the
inclination to listen TO him"
II is said that Mr. CoatsWorth is jubilant al
the prospect of having a ticket in the field with
out Hearst's name on il. and with all the Demo-
cratic county candidates cared for on the ticket.