Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-11
THE ELECTION
Continued from Page one)

uation in the political history Of the
United States was broken when the As
ISOLATED Press flashed the news that
Republican State Chairman Rowell Of
California had conceded the state to
Wilson. Frantic appeals to expedite
returns had been sent to State leaders
hour after hour from the national head
quarters Of both parties In this city.
kilograms were reinforced by telephone
calls across the continent. IT. had been
apparent since Wednesday that Calieor-
MIA was the pivot upon which the Cleo
ton would swing.
CALIFORNIA; Vote
1t was not until stage coaches had
come through from communities tucked
away in the Sierras or settlements on
the arid eastern slopes Of the noun
tains that the result was known. Or
dtnar1ly the few votes cast in these re-
mote districts are considered Of little
moment but in this history making
presidential year they were Of vital i'm
portance. They could not be reached
by telephone or telegraph and the trails
and passes leading to them were chok-
ed with snow in many places. There
was nothing to do but wait for the
stages and they began coming in last
night.
New Mexico and Minnesota
Similar difficulties were encountered
in collecting the returns from the wilds
Of New Mexico and from the far cor
ners OF Minnesota. In past campaigns
New Mexico's three electoral votes have
been considered only as incidental in
swelling the majority of the winner.
but yesterday they might have elected
a President. Minnesota was almost as
important as California in determining
whether Hughes or Wilson had won.
The returns from that state caused
nearly as much jubilation among the
Republicans as those from California
In the rival camp.
Until Mr.. Wilson's victory was as
sured the Democrats also were pre-
pairing to demand a recount in the So
called doubtful states. Alton B. Par
ker. who resigned as chief Judge Of the
New York court of appeals to become
the Democratic candidate in 1904, con-
: ferred with National Chairman Nc
Cormick, as did several other promi-
! nent Democratic lawyers.
Nd N. n. Recount
~ The Republicans have called for a
recount in New Hampshire where less
than 200 votes seem likely to determine
the result. Charges Of attempts to
tamper with the ballot boxes In North
Dakota have been made in several sec
tons OF that state and have been laid
before the federal district attorney by
the United States marshal. Agents Of
the department of justice have been
mobilized at points in other states.
California Situation
The Republicans commended, it was
said. unofticially. today, that since the
Democrats claimed California by a
margin Of only approximately 5000 out
Of nearly one million votes cast, it was
apparent slight errors in district
here and there might change tho out
come.
The Democrats maintained, on the
other hand, that no charges Of fraud
had been made by State Chairman
Rowell OF the Republicans in conceding
the state to Mr.. Wilson and that II
there had been any basis for them he
undoubtedly would so have informed
the national headquarters Of the party
in this city.
In statement made to The Associat-
ed Press at San Francisco the only
contention Mr.. Rowell made of even a
partial victory for Mr.. Hughes was
mat the electoral vote Of the state
might be split on the official count as II
was IN 1912. when two votes went to
wilson and II to Roosevelt
No Contest in House
both sides conceded that no matter
"hat action might be taken in regard
10 recount there was little Likelihood
o. contest being carried to the House
OF Representatives as 1t was after Tho
Hayes-Tflden campaign in 1875
Legislation enacted in 1887. II vas
said, made the states sovere;er -,
pronouncing Judgment in a recount NJ
the presidential vote. -
IN three states, however. there u,.,.
prospects OF contest over one elector
IN each Instance. The eligibility of
Democratic elector in Texas has been
questioned because he is said to be an
ofnceholder and the federal laws pro-
hibft person holding office from serv.
ing as an elector.
One of the Democratic electors in
Washington died just before election
day and the party managers attached
pastors to the ballots. substituting an
other name for his The legality of this
procedure has been questioned by the
Republicans. A somewhat similar case
has arisen in West Virginia, where one
OF the. Republican electors refused to
run and the Republicans resorted to
pastors bearing another name in place
Of his.