New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-12
PREDICT TAFT VICTORY,
WITH VOTES TO SPARE.
Campaign Experts Estimate
That To-day President Has
Nearly Enough to Elect Him.
MARGIN SEEMS ASSURED
Drift Toward Republican Nomi-
nee Promises Big Surplus
Reaction Against Wilson
and Roosevelt.

Several Republican leaders OF national
prominence, who have had Wide expert
ence In gauging campaign conditions and
making election estimates, sat down with
Chairman Hilles of the national commit
tee few days ago to figure out the pres
ont situation. The conclusion reached by
them was that as conditions are to-day,
President Taft would get not less than
2S electoral votes. That Is. he would get
that many votes II the election shouid De
held to-day.
Figuring further, they reached the con-
clvsion that 81 the present drift to Presi-
dent Taft away from Governor wilson
continued, as they had reason to believe
It would, President Taft would have
many more than the necessary 90 elec-
toral votes on Election Day.
The figures were entirely for inside IN
formation, and not compiled With any
view to publication. The leaders wanted
to know Just where they stood, so far as
II was possible to learn from careful ana
accurate reports from every state Inc
situation In each state was taken up ana
discussed With the greatest care, the elec-
toral vote of each state being placed IN
the column IN which present condiuohs
would seem to place II.
When the balance was struck II was
found that the states counted as sure to-
day for the President footed up total
of a5s electoral votes. In the doubtful
column they left a number Of states
which the drift was carrying swiftly
toward the Taft column.
Every report that reaches national
headquarters indicates that the sentiment
throughout the country 10 turning In the
direction of President Taft, whereas the
Wilson and Roosevelt sentiment Is either
standing still or growing less. The re-
ports show that the voters have reached
the point where they demand facts upon
which to base their final conclusion as
TO which candidate to support for the
Presidency. They have got over the emo
tional period and will not be swayed now
by anything except logical arguments.
Such arguments the national committee
is giving TO them In every section OF the
country. The good effects OF the speak
ers following Colonel Roosevelt and the
tariff takers following Governor Wilson
are widespread, according to reports.
The chairman Of the Democratic State
Committee Of Connecticut having failed
to answer the challenge Of the chairman
Of the Republican State Committee for a
Joint debate between Congressman Under
wood, when he speaks In the state on oc-
tober II. 10 and Is. and Republican. John
w. Hutchinson, chairman OF the speakers
bureau OF the national committee, has
issued the challenge TO CONGRESSMAN I'm
derwood through Acting Chairman Nc
Adoo, OF the Democratic National Com
mittee. Congressman t!ll. Of Connecticut.
is anxious to take the Republican end OF
tariff debate with Congressman Under
wood.
The Democratic National Committee has
been giving wide circulation TO pamphlet
entitled Laws Passed by Governor Will
son in 1911 and 1872" Nicholas Murray
Butler, president OF Columbia University.
received copy He sent It to friend In
New Jersey with this comment: II had
supposed that the laws in New Jersey
were still passed by the Legislature and
that both in 1911 and 1919 the Senate was
Republican"