Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-14

LN IOTNhs NOV. IU.-W OOQTOW
Wilson was elected president of the
United States when California swung
definitely into the Democratic col
umn early today.
DRAMATIC SITUATION.
The tension of the most dramatic
situation in the political history of
the United States was broken when
the Associated Press flashed the
news that Republican State Chair
man ROwell, of California, had con-
coded the state to Wilson. Frantic
appeals to expedite returns had been
sent to state leaders hour after hour
from the national headquarters or
both parties in this city. kilograms
were, reinforced by telephone calls
across the continent. 1t had been
apparent since Wednesday that Cali
fornia was the pivot upon which the
election would swing.
It was not until stage coaches had
come Through from communities
tucked away into the Sierras or set
Elements on the arid eastern slopes
of the mountains that the result was
known. Ordinarily the few votes
cast in the remote districts are con-
sidered of little moment, but in this
history-making year they we're of
vital Importance. They could not be
reached by telephone or telegraph
and the trails and the passes leading
to them were choked with snow in
many places. There was nothing to
do but wait for the stages and they
began coming in last night.
Similar difficulties were encountered
in collecting the returns from the wilds
fr.0r ffo for
ners of Minnesota. In 1912, the ONLY
other campaign in which New Mexico
has participated, her three electoral .
votes were considered merely as incident
al i'm swelling majority of the winners
but yesterday they might have elected}
a president. Minnesota was almost as
important as California in determining
whether Hughes or Wilson had won
and the returns from that state caused
nearly as much jubilation among the
Republicans as those from California
i'm the rival camp.
That President wilson's election will
not be conceded without a recount in
the close states was the declaration of
Republican leaders early today after
conferences lasting far into last night
Some definite course of action probably
will be decided upon within a few hours.
The states in which 1T was said re-
course to judicial proceedings was like
Iy we're California, New Hampshire.
New Mexico and North Dakota.
If recount proceedings are instituted
it was believed George W. Wickersham.
former attorney general, would mar
shall the legal forces of the Republicans.
He conferred late yesterday with Mr..
Hughes and Chairman William r. Will
cox at the nominees hotel here.
No formal statement was forthcom-
ing as to what was contemplated. but
Mr.. Wilcox asserted a recount would
be demanded wherever the margin of
Democratic victory was so small that
a comparatively few votes would turI.
the scales. He and his advisers took
the position they said, that there should
oe no cloud" upon Mr.. Wilson's title
10 the presidency.
Until President Wilson's victory was
assured the Democrats also were pre-
pairing to demand a recount in the So
called doubtful states. Alton B.
Parker conferred with National Chair
man Mccormick. as did several other
prominent Democratic lawyers.
Both parties already have called for
a recount in New Hampshire, where
less than. 200 votes seem likely to de-.
termine the result. Charges OF attempts
to tamper with the ballot boxes in North
Dakota have been made in several sec
tions of that state and have been laid.
the United States marshal. Agents of
the department of justice have been
modified at points in other states.
The Republicans contended, II was
said, unofficia1ly today, that since the
Democrats claimed California by mar
gin of only approximately 5000 out of
nearly 10000 cast it was apparent
slight errors in district here and there
might change the outcome.
The Democrats maintained that
charges of fraud had been made by
State Chairman Rowell. of the Repub-
licans, in conceding the state to Mr..
Wilson. and that if there had been any
basis for them he undoubtedly would
so have informed the national headquar-
tiers in this city.
In a statement made to the Associated
Press at San Francisco the only conten-
tion Mr.. ROwen made was that the cleo
toraI vote of that state might be split on
the official count as it was in 1912, when :
two votes went to Wilson and eleven
to Roosevelt. Both sides conceded that
no matter what action might be taken
in regard to a recount there was little
likelihood of a contest being carried to
the house of representatives, as it was
after the Hays-Tilden campaign in 1876.
Legislation enacted in 1887, it was said.
made the states sovereign in pronounc-
ing judgment in a recount of the 2rasi-
Dental vote.
In three states. however, there were
prospects of contests over one electol,
in each instance. The eligibility of z.
Democratic elector in Texas has been
questioned because he is said to be an
office holder and the federal laws pro-
hibit person holding office from sex1-
ing as an elsctoy
One of the Democratic electors IN
Washington died just before election day
and the party managers attached pastors
to the ballots substituting another name
The legality of this procedure has been
questioned by the Republicans. A some
what similar case has arisen in West
Virginia where one of the Republican
electors refused to run and the Republi-
cans resorted to pastors bearing another