The Washington times., 1908-11-04

This great nations CAPITAL never had
a more memorable night.
BY dusk the eXpecJant thousands were
on their way downtown. where the
bands, the lights, the crowds, and the
bulletins. which told the story OF how
a Presidential election had been won
and lost, were all TO be seen Within
an hour after the first returns vast
sea of faces looked up in front OF the
Munsey Building. and the cheers swell
ed and died away again as bit by bit
the story Of the ballots was thrown
upon The Times big sheet. The thrOngs
assembled quickly, came early. and
stayed late.
What is true of the immense gather
ing Of patriotic men and women in
front Of The Times applies 10 a num-
Der Of other places in Washington and
its suburbs, where the telegraph tick
er told its story. From President Roose-
welt, who smilingIy received the re-
turns at the White HOuIe. to the cit
lzens who stood around the suburban
drug store or hotel, nearly everybody
was awake, alert, expectant, and want
ing TO know just how it happened.
Telephone Inquiries.
from and they too seemed 10 be legion
Slightly more than 5000 telephone in
qulrles were answered by The Times
/ operators. a score Of whom were kept
/ busy from until / o'clock. Main I400
was appealed to from all sections of
/ Washington and outlying districts, and
/ In each instance the inquirer was given
/ the news up TO that very minute.
a. Of
/ Times had also installed a special wire
service, and members Of that Organiza-
/ ton were kept in instant touch with
/ the great vote casting world outside.
/ The smoothEess Of the service was Ap-
/ preciated and favcraJly commented
/ upon.
/ A study in human nature was that
great multitude THAI stretched from
/ Fourteenth 10 Thirteenth street. along
1.-The Avenue and L sLTeeT. and extending
IedTly as 5 o'clock the handwriting upon
I the wall had told the story OF no"
/ Taft and Sherman had swept the coun-
I try yet IL seemed that not a person
IIeff. They hung On. the Bryan folks
evidently for a ray Of comfort IRON
some doubtful State. tie TAFT supporters
satisfied Of the result but rejoicing il
the growing "a gnltude or the Victory
Many Bryanites.
Evidently. the Nebraska leader had
large following in the elecLon-nigh
crowds in Washington, for even In th'
moment Of his defeat he was cheereC
as wildly as was the victor. Each tins
the face of Bryan appeared upon Th'
Times screen. cheer after cheer ranl
forth The band, situated Immediately
in front Of the Munsey Building, adde-
10 the gayety Of the scene with patrs
otic airs, one Of the biggest demonstra
tlons Of them all taking place shortly
before midnight. while the band playe'
Dixie" and while the face OF Bryan
smiled down from the canvas.
Open house was maintained at botl
u Republican and Democratic headquar
ters. special wires having been run int
each. At the Republican quarters, u
Fifteenth street, there was much JuDIla
tiOn all through the evening.
At Democratic headquarters in th
AIunsey Building, an air OF nOpefulneSs
/ rather than confidence. prevailed No
until midnight would National Commit
teeman Newman and others concede TIT
defeat Of the Nebraskan. wait Ia
fun returns are i'm was frequentI!
come flashing over the wire Luncheon
was served by the ladies present a
both headquarters.
Assured of Victory.
President Roosevelt left the executiv,
Offices al out midnight, assured OF th'
sweeping victory OF Taft. Earlier in tht
evening the returns had convinced tht
\ President that the fight was Won, bu
not being a auitter the Presiden
waited for details of the landslide Sec
retar1es Bonaparte, Suaus, Wright
GARFIELD. and MeJcaIf, together witt
their wives. were present in the privat
rooms Of the White House. Gen. J
Franklin Bell Gen. Clarence Edward
and Secretary MOsely, OF the Interstate
! Commerce Commission, were also pres
ent.