Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-11-08
HUGHES IS AHEAD
WITH 242 VOTES
Lcontinued From First Pascl


piled UP in the east by the returns
coming in from the west. When the
Republican landslide in New York
became known and was, quickly fol-
tories in New England. there was q
veritable stampede to announce the
election of Mr.. Hughes and the defeat
of President Wilson. X
Hundreds of thousands waiting in
the streets saw the signal lights flash
York newspapers which have been
prominent in their support of him
conceded the Presidents defeat even
before some of the western States had
been heard from. Thousands of per-
sons in the east went to bed believ-
ing Mr.. Hughes elected and woke up
this morning to find the result ap-
parently changed while they slept.
Hundreds who made their plans for
what they expected to happen in
Wall street to-day found them set all
awry.
West Stops Hughes Slide
The first figures of Wilson major
tiles through the west did not shake
the confidence of.those who were pre-
dieting the election of Mr.. Hughes and
not until the steady stream of Will
son majorities began eating the
Hughes columns piled up in the east
did any of them suspect that the re-
suit was in danger.
At midnight it was apparent that
the free predictions of a sweeping
Republican victory throughout the
country were being contradicted by
the results from the west. AS every
hour saw the Hughes lead melting
down it became clear that the Presi-
dent was not to be defeated so easily
and then at daylight without any de-
cisive result, 1t became apparent
that the battle was being fought out
in the doubtful States with the ad-
vantage decidedly in favor of Mr..
Wilson.
The Associated Press was not mis-
led by the returns in New York and
other eastern States. Although the
important newspapers of this city
were unanimous in their announce
ments that Hughes had been elected
1t was recognized by the Associated
Press election staff that Wilson could
win without New York. Tt declined
to make any prediction until actual
returns were received from the doubt
full States.
Both Sides Claim Election
Not since a next days revision of
the returns seated Grover Cleveland
in the contest of 1892 has the coun-
try been compelled to wait SO long to
know the result. More than IL hours
after the polls had closed, President
Wilson and Mr.. Hughes were running
A neck and neck race in doubtful
States.
Congress returns were equally un-
certain but on their face at a. m.
to-day the Republicans had not been
able to overthrow the Democratic ma
jority although they did succeed in
reducing it in the House. In the Sem
ate the Republicans appeared to have
gained seven seats.
Despite the lack of certain returns
from the States which will turn the
scale of victory or defeat neither of
the national chairmen hesitated to
claim the election.
Democratic Chairman Mccormick
in statement declared President
Wilson surely would have a04 votes
in the electoral college. Republican
Chairman Wilcox at s a. M. claimed
every State generally classed as doubt
full and counted 323 votes for Mr..
Hughes. The actual returns, consid.
ering definite and indicative figures
gave President Wilson 232 votes and
Mr.. Hughes 212.
On the votes of California. Della
ware. Idaho. Indiana, Kansas. Mime
sofa. New Hampshire, New Mexico.
Oregon. Washington. West Virginia