The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-11-17
Only TWO PARELLELS
TO ELECTION SUSPENSE
IN AMERICAN HISTORY
EAyes Tnden contest IN 1879 ,and
Clereland.E Fight in 1854
Notable Elections.

Notable Elec(l0nS.
New York, Nov 1S.-Only two paral-
leis are found in american history to
ahe long suspense experimental thih
year in determining the result of the
presidential election.
In 1884 it took three days to learn
1Lat Grover Cleveland had won by
gaining New York States electoral
vote from James G. Blaine with only
7,10o majority. In 1876 it took an cleo
1cral commission to decide the famous
T5lden-Hayes contest
1t is interesting to note that the con-
sests of men, in which dominating
personality played a large part.
This is particularly true of the 1884
and 1876. Roscoe Conkling, the bril-
l5ant senator from New York, had
mach to do with the eventful outcome
0f those two contests.
IN the case of the Tilden-Hayes
6ght, it was said Mr. Conkling was of
the opinion that Mr.. Hayes had not
been elected president and therefore
should not be declared the victor. It
Senator Conkling has acted on thF
view he could have marshaled enough
votes in the senate to throw the elec-
SOral vote of Louisiana to Mr.. Tilden
hut he failed to act on the matter, and
tradition says that in so doing he was
influenced by brilliant woman who
took that means of venting upon Mr..
TSlden her anger because he had
caused the defeat of her father, Sal
MON P Chase, in the Democratic pres
i5ential convention Of 1858
Blaine Cleveland Campaign.
Prior to 1916 the Blaine-CleVeland
campaign of 1884 was easily the most
sensational presidential campaign in
SO years. Blaine was the idol of the
Republican hosts and undoubtedly
would have been president had it not
been for the unfortunate Rum, Ro-
nnanlsm and rebellion utterance of
Dr. Burehard in the fifth Avenue no.
tel on the eve of election. Mr.. Blaine
sneglected to repudiate his sentiment,
and as a result more than enough
votes were turned in New York alone
To defeat him. The Burchard eplsode,
coupled with the relentless hostility
.af Roscoe Conkling, made the defeat
,of Mr. Blaine, as it afterward turned
'Oyt, inevitable.
The enmity between the two men OF
dominating personality went back to
their rivalry for the leadership OF con-
xress. Efforts were made by friends
af various times to patch up the quar-
rreI, but Mr.. Conkling was implacable.
His bitterness toward Mr.. Blaine
caused more than 1000 Of his support
,ers in his home county, Oneida, to vote
directly for Mr.. Cleveland, thereby
furnishing enough votes to turn the
tide OF battle.
AS it became evident that the race
vouid be close to the last, the excite
:ment throughout the nation, and par
-aicularly in New York, was intense.
xDn the day after election it was an;
znounced that Mr.. Cleveland had car
,rIed New York, Indiana, New Jersey
=and Connecticut, together with the
solid South" thereby winning 266 cleo
Norai votes to 10 for Mr.. Blaine.
Figures Disputed.
The Republican manasers disputed
ahese 6gureh. They said that late re-
tnrns from upstate New York would
show plurality for Mr.. Blaine. Ana
indeed, for time it looked as II their
predictions would be fulfilled. The
Democrats charged that Jay Gould, a
warm friend and political supporter OF
Mr.. Blaine, was using the western
.T;nlon Telegraph company, which ne
controlled, to hold back the electlon
lFeturns.
The situation became so serious
that A P. German, chairman OF the
Democratic executive committee, on
FRIDAY, November 4, issued the follow
Ing statement:
>..The national Democratic committee
sannuunees to the people of the United
States that Grover Cleveland ana
Thomas A. Hendricks have carried z19
electoral votes for the Office OF pres
fdent and vice-president
That states which have declared IN
-sneir favor are Alabama, Arkansas
Connecticut. Delaware, Florida, Geor-
yia indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana
MARYLAND, Mississippi, Missouri, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vlr.
-xinia and West Virginia, carrying al
zig electoral votes-1S votes more
than sufficient to elect.
.e.eNo fraud or connivance can de1ea,
the will of the people of the United
states thus publicly and deliberately
declared
Late that afternoon the belated re,
.eurns from upstate came through and
they insured the election of Mr.: Nsve. eve.
aand. Jay Gould was one of the first
TO congratulate Mr.. Cleveland on the
event