 |
| William McKinley. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, November 9, 1900.
MCKINLEY WINS.
Elected to the Presidency For the Second Term.
VICTORY IS UNQUESTIONED.
Majorities In Some States Were a Trifle Lessened But Not Enough to Affect Result.
Even Nebraska, Bryan's Home State, Gives the Republican Candidate a Majority. Bryan Defeated In His Own Precinct by Over 100 Votes—Texas Polls a Big Vote for Bryan—McKinley's Majority In the New England States Is Somewhat Lessened But Shows a Handsome Addition to the Other States—Violence Was Happily Absent Except In Two Instances—McKinley's Electoral Vote Will Be Greater Than In 1896—Table Showing the Strength of Each In the Electoral College—Bryan's Majority In Greater New York Cut Down.
NEW YORK. Nov. 7.—Throughout all the States of the Union the citizens of the United States have reaffirmed at the polls their choice of four years ago and re-elected William McKinley of Canton, Ohio, to a second term as President of the United States, the highest office in the power of the people to give.
It was an endorsement of the administration's policy and affirmed intention of holding the Philippines, which came into the possession of this country, first as spoils of war, and second by purchase from Spain. It was also an evidence of approval of the military policy of the administration and rejectment of the principle enunciated in the Kansas City platform of the Democrats.
McKinley repeated his triumphs in the larger States, notably New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and the New England States, though by slightly decreased majorities. His electoral vote will be even greater than it was in 1896.
The silent vote was in particular evidence everywhere. Even the most highly colored claims and predictions of campaign managers and candidates were exceeded in some sections and an enormous vote was polled. It may safely be said that the silent vote decided the election.
Violence was, happily, almost a missing feature of the day. In Denver two men were killed in a clash between deputy sheriffs and police and four men injured. In Wilmington, Del., too, there was some small disturbance but no one was seriously injured. These were practically the only cases of violence reported. In New York city, where the verbal clash had occurred between Inspector of Elections McCullagh and Chief of Police Devery, it was expected that violence would occur at the polls. But the day passed off quietly. No altercations to amount to anything occurred and it was a very quiet day for New York.
A notable feature of the election was Bryan's failure to carry his own precinct, losing it to McKinley by over 100 votes, while McKinley carried his own county by an increased majority over four years ago.
Republican congressmen, too, have been returned or elected for full terms and it is safe to say that the Fifty-seventh congress will be even more Republican than the Fifty-sixth.
Illinois went for McKinley by a big majority, but the Democrats elected their State ticket by a majority almost as large as the Republicans had for the national ticket. It was one of the queer happenings of election.
In the New England States Bryan made a good run, cutting down McKinley's majority in many instances. But on the whole, the strength of the districts was not impaired to any extent and the increase in the vote polled for Bryan may be attributed to his personality rather than to the principles which he advocated.
In Canton, McKinley received the returns confident of the outcome. Bryan when he received bulletins from New York State was somewhat disappointed, but on the whole seemed less perturbed than did those about him. Mr. Bryan refused to make any statement on the result, but promised to make one later.
ONE HAPPY MAN.
His Efforts to Avoid Polities a Failure—Is Glad Election is Over.
There is one man in Cortland who is very thankful that election is over. Early in the campaign he informed himself in regard to matters political, and having made up his mind just how he was going to vote he thought to dismiss the question of politics from further consideration until election day.
He is one of the sort of men who, when they have decided that they don't care to hear a particular subject discussed, become troubled in mind, body and temper if that subject is persistently presented to them.
Jones (for so we will call him) boarded a street car for Homer, N. Y., the other morning and sat down near two men who were talking. He had hardly taken his seat before he heard one of them declare dramatically: "1 tell you we have no right to govern the Philippines. McKinley's policy of benevolent assimilation—" at this point Jones moved over to the other corner of the car and the man who had been reading a copy of the Democrat turned and said to him in an eager voice, "Don't you think Bryan's gaining ground every day?"
Jones arose and walked out on the platform by the conductor. That individual said. "By George, this is a fine day. If the weather holds like this until election day, don't you think our party will win?" Jones stopped the car and got off. He transacted his business at Homer and walked back to Cortland because he thought the exercise would render immune from such attacks as he had sustained on the up trip.
He had hardly reached the hospital corner when an old friend came along and they stopped and shook hands, after which the friend said: "By the way, Jones, did you notice that reception to Bryan at Madison Square Garden the other night? I tell you that man is a wonder. He's gaining ground—'' Jones pulled out his watch and said, "Brown, old fellow, you must excuse me. I've got to meet a man down the street in five minutes from now,'' and away he went. As he walked he entered into silent prayer and involuntarily lifting his eyes skyward his gaze encountered the Woolley banner across Main street.
With a groan of mental anguish he dashed into the nearest saloon, but before he could ask for a drink a man rushed up and said. "Why, Jones, I'm glad to see you. Come on and have a drink. I suppose you are going to vote for me for — this fall?" With a look which the man will never forget Jones turned and left the saloon. He spoke to no one until he entered his place of business, where he found the bookkeeper and the clerk quarrelling as to whether Tom Platt or Dick Croker was the best man. Jones put an end to that squabble without delay, and going over to his desk picked up the Post Standard, thinking to get his mind from the unpleasant occurrences of the morning. The first head he noticed in the paper said "Roosevelt Rotten-egged in Elmira.'' He hastily turned his eyes to another portion of the paper only to become conscious that the printed words said, "Bryan Collapses After the Brooklyn Meeting." "I don't wonder,'' groaned Jones, as he grabbed his hat and started for the door. Just as he was passing out he met a friend who said, ''Say Jones, I am collecting money for the blow-out Monday night. I know you're a good party man and I want you to put your name down here for $25. We've all got to put our shoulder to the wheel, you know, if we win.''
''Darned if I care whether we do or not,'' stormed Jones, as he brushed the astounded man aside and started toward home. "I'll get my gun and go out for a day's hunt and see if I can't get rid of these blamed politicians and have one day this fall when I can hear something that isn't politics," he muttered. When he got home his wife said, "I'm so glad you've come. The hired girl has just quit because she says this prosperity the Republicans are all talking about seems to affect everything else but her wages, and if we don't give her three dollars and a half a week she'll not stay any longer.''
"I don't care a darn whether she stays or not,'' snapped out Jones as he proceeded to get ready for his hunting trip.
As he came out of the house a neighbor was passing. The man, at sight of Jones, stopped and said, viewing Jones' canvas hunting coat and trousers:
"Well, old man, I see you've joined the Rough Riders. That uniform looks good on you.'' Jones glowered on him and passed on. As he neared the suburbs, in the direction of McLean he met a farmer whom he knew and inquired whether there were any birds or squirrels out his way.
"Well, I don't know," was the answer. "I've been so busy with politics this fall. I hain't had time to hunt much. D'ye think there is any prospect that Bryan will win?
With a great groan Jones sat down on a horse block and said to the farmer:
"Well, I give it up. I thought could get away from politics and politicians for one day, but I can't do it. I guess I might as well gulp and take my medicine. All I've heard to-day and for many days has been politics, and heaven knows I'm sick of the very thought of a campaign. It ought to be a criminal offense for a man to talk politics, but as long as it isn't and the country is full of lop-eared mules who don't want to talk anything else, I suppose I must put up with it.
At that time he shouldered his gun and came home. Since then he hasn't been saying much to anybody about anything. Jones really looks haggard, and if ever a man was glad to have election day come it was our friend Jones. He is now anxiously waiting the excitement incident to the victors' celebration to subside.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
The Result.
In brief, the result of the political battle on Tuesday was the election of President McKinley by a majority sufficiently large to admit of no doubt as to the choice of the people. We had hoped for a different result, but the voters seem to have ignored our wishes in the matter entirely, and now that the fight is over we accept the situation as cheerfully as the man who, becoming worsted in an encounter with a neighbor, remarked that he felt resigned to his defeat, for he couldn't help himself.
The Democrat does not claim to be wiser than a large majority of the American people, yet we believe many, very many of those who voted for McKinley on Tuesday will regret their action before the expiration of his second term. An esteemed clergyman of Cortland (who is not a Democrat) said on election day that the administration of Mr. McKinley has been the most corrupt of any since the civil war. We believe this to be true, but partisanship has blinded the voters to the administration's shortcomings, and when partisanship runs mad there is no use trying to arrest the stampede. McKinley and Roosevelt are elected and "there is the end on't ."
.jpg) |
| Edwin Duffey. |
Short Editorials.
Vern Skeel, shake.
What's the matter with Kingsley? He's all right.
Texas gave Bryan only 175,000 majority. What's the matter down there?
We sincerely hope that the charges of Democratic treachery in certain wards are untrue.
Ira A. Dexter ought to have received the 232 votes cast for Charley Kingsley. Where were the missing 24?
The nine defeated candidates can console themselves with the reflection that 'tis better to have run and lost than never to have run at all.
Edwin Duffey made a magnificent run for district attorney, his vote being about 900 greater than that cast for Mr. Bryan in Cortland county.
Dear old Massachusetts is the state. The returns of Tuesday's election show that the Republicans lost 14 per cent, and the Democrats gained 48 per cent over 1896.
We never did believe that Woolley [Prohibition candidate for president] would win, anyhow, although he did work up an immense amount of enthusiasm, considering that he had nothing but cold water to do it on.
It was a whirlwind campaign after all and grew as hot as that of '96 towards the close. The fact that American citizens could be so much in earnest over such abstract issues shows that there is plenty of the old Puritan virility in us yet.
The result is not just as the Democrat expected or hoped for, but we bow to the will of the majority, this principle being one safeguard of our government. A majority of the voters wanted McKinley and Teddy, and it is right that their preferences should rule.
Within a very few days, it is probable that Mr. Jones, who has looked upon his next door neighbor, Mr. Smith, as an anarchist and a double-dyed traitor because he differed from him in politics, will begin to revise his ideas and to wonder whether Smith isn't a pretty decent fellow after all.
Indiana has a set of religious zealots known as Lazarellites, who think the end of the world is near, and consequently are preparing to go to Scotland, where the sect originated, to take flight from some mountain there. They seem to think that Scotland is much nearer heaven that Indiana is.
John G. Woolley can say at least that he has had a mighty good time of it this fall traveling about the country in a special train and making speeches to enthusiastic audiences. There's something in being just a candidate, even if one be the candidate of only a very small minority party.
The total population of the United States as found by the new census is 76,295,220. This is a gain of 13,225,464 during the past ten years, representing an increase of nearly 21 per cent. New York continues to keep her proud position as the Empire State with a population of 7,268,609. Pennsylvania comes next with 6,301,365. Illinois stands third and Ohio fourth.
Lesson From the Election.
The battle has been fought and the victory has been won by the Republicans. The prosperity promised will come to Democrats and Republicans alike. All will be sharers in the accruing benefits and all will be equally loyal to the administration so far as the principles and traditions of American institutions are carried out. President McKinley is and will be after March 4 president, not of the Republican party, but of the United States.
The Democrat has naught to say as to how the election was won. Let each decide according to his own knowledge and belief. We may be pardoned, however, after a close scrutiny of the vote in this county to take a little look backward. In the local campaign just closed the Democrats have some things to learn from their Republican brethren. Those whose political enmity of three years ago almost amounted to personal hate were found together in unity working as happy members of the same family, and seemed inseparable in their affection.
The Democratic campaign was waged with an intelligence and aggressiveness unequalled in the history of the county. All factions were recognized, or rather no factions were recognized. Every man who was a Democrat was gathered into the service and given equal honor. Nevertheless, the Democratic vote was not in proportion to the opportunity. In local affairs it was charged as early as Saturday that many Democrats in one ward had been purchased for a local candidate, and that most of them would hide their treachery by voting the straight Republican ticket. These things were known to many staunch Democrats as early as Monday morning. The vote on Tuesday substantiated the claim.
If Democrats are treacherous to party opportunity, either for avarice or personal spite, no party can stand. The character of the men nominated on the county and city tickets was above reproach. They had a right to expect every Democratic vote. They did not receive it. Without the generous complimentary votes given by Republicans, our candidates would have been buried deep, deep, deep.
The lesson of this after-look is that certain so-called Democrats should be canvassed as dangerous Republicans, for their treachery is more dangerous than the honest opposition of a fair antagonist. And those who would carry Democrats into Republican ranks simply to vent their personal spite, should be classed as political freebooters and not Democrats. And let those who believe in Democracy, and whose party fealty stands in spite of storms and treacherous undercurrents, take a new pledge to stand together, firm and loyal, and make the Democratic party in this county what it should be, a means of advancing Democratic principles and a motor in moving toward Democratic success.
Electric Company Incorporated.
A certificate of incorporation of the Ithaca Electric company has been received at the County clerk's office from Albany. This company is one of the two that applied at the last meeting of the common council for a franchise to establish a plant in that city.
According to the incorporation certificate the capital stock of the company will be $50,000 and the duration of its existence is stipulated to be 50 years. The paper states that the objects of the company are to be the manufacturing and using electricity for producing light, heat over power, and in lighting streets, avenues, public parks and places, and public and private buildings of cities, villages and towns in this state. One clause says that the company wishes to fulfill its objects in the city of Ithaca.
The number of shares in the stock are 500 and there are five directors named as follows: Herman Bergholtz, Ithaca; William K. Turner, Philadelphia; David M. Dean, Ithaca; William M. Laws. Jersey City; and Robert W. B. Elliott, New York city. The certificate is signed by Messrs. Bergholtz, Laws and Elliott.
Contemptible, Dirty Politics.
No man with any fine instincts of character will ever so far disgrace himself, even in a heated political campaign, as to make a lying and unwarranted assault on the character of an opposing candidate. The act is the more despicable when done so near the close of a campaign as to make explanation almost impossible, and a wide-reaching answer unavailable. Such an attack has been made on the character of Benjamin F. Taylor, the Democratic candidate for mayor. The attack has been made in the form of a story as untruthful as it is base. When it first appeared, under the authority of an irresponsible clerk, it seemed silly to give notice to it, owing to the puerility of the author, but when one of the self-constituted leaders of the "ring gang" on Saturday morning last in a public store gave utterance to the same story, improved and enlarged and made the statement on his own authority, it seemed necessary to take notice of it and characterize the story as false in every particular, and so utterly contemptible as to fall far short of harming Mr. Taylor. In fact, we believe that there are enough manly men in this city who will so act as to make the whole attempt to slander Mr. Taylor a boomerang on the slanderers and their would-be beneficiary.
The story in brief is to the effect that the misfortunes that have come upon Mr. D. H. Gourley were owing to his gambling with Mr. Taylor and in that way Mr. Taylor had robbed him of the money which he is alleged to have taken as ticket agent of the D., L. & W. The addition to the story was to the effect that the author had seen Mr. Taylor and Mr. Gourley go down the street together one thousand times and that he knew that they were going to a certain place to play cards for money. If such statements are not criminal slander, what are they?
To those who know Mr. Taylor intimately no denial is necessary, but as all may not know him and his rugged honesty, a definite statement became necessary. A correspondent therefore interviewed Mr. Gourley and he indignantly denied the story and branded it as false in each and every particular, and submitted the following letter for publication:
Cortland, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1900.
It having come to my notice that Mr. B. F. Taylor is charged with being in part the author of my misfortune by having won money from me at cards, I desire in justice to him to say that the charge is entirely false. I have never gambled at cards or otherwise with Mr. Taylor and he hasn't a cent of my money.
D. H. GOURLEY.
We submit to a candid, fair-minded public whether or not such a slander is fair or honorable or whether it should not be rebuked at the polls. Decency in everything, even in politics, is manly and honorable. No matter how high the author of any slander, the fall is only greater and the accruing harm the more complete.—Cort. Dem., Monday, Nov. 5.
Got 'Em Again.
The head of the Republican ring seems to have had another attack of political "delirium tremens.'' During the frenzy he heard some one say that the Wickwire Brothers and Mr. Curtis L. Kinney were to vote for Mr. Bryan. Forthwith he sends out scouts and charges them on pain of political death to obtain and bring for the above gentlemen statements denying the "snakes." The letters obtained are forthwith published in the illuminated columns of the Cortland Standard with the avowed intent of thereby influencing the employees of the aforesaid gentlemen in their votes in the coming election. When the "Ringster' comes back to his senses and the editor comes to review the effect of "Nate's" frenzy, they will then fully understand that the Messrs. Wickwire and Mr. Kinney are men of too high character and too commanding fairness to lend their names and influence in any attempt to coerce the vote of any man even to give respectability to the fertile minded, desperate head of the dying Republican gang.—Cort. Dem., Monday, Nov. 5.
HERE AND THERE.
This has been the finest October in years.
Last year we had a dozen snow flurries in October.
Sunday morning's fog was dense enough to "freeze a dog.''
The President has issued a proclamation declaring Thursday, November 29th, as Thanksgiving Day.
People may now find time to fatten their Thanksgiving turkey, politics being sidetracked for a time.
Regular meeting of Cortlandville grange this evening, and initiations in the third and fourth degrees will be given.
An autumn party will be given at the Summit House, Summer Hill, this evening. Music by McDermott's orchestra with bill of $1.
Oscar B. Heath of La Crosse, Wis., died Oct. 20 at the age of about 70 years. He was a cousin of E. L. Heath of this city, and was formerly well known here.
Conductor "Hank" Darling of the Lackawanna road has been appointed yard master at Binghamton. ''Hank's" friends along the line will miss his smiling countenance.
Foster, the weather prognosticator, says there will be two cold waves in November, the first about the 20th, and the other about the 24th. Preserve these dates for a test case.
The editor of the Truxton Enterprise is one of the best fellows in the world, else he couldn't have been elected county clerk last Tuesday, and it is with extreme regret that we learn from the last issue of his paper that his eyesight is failing him.
Don't fail to secure a reserved seat to Jack Wallace' cake walk next Monday evening. Jack privately informs us that the entertainment will be a "hummer," and a "hummer" means that it will be worth the price of admission and a dollar besides.
A number of counterfeit coins are said to be in circulation. They are mainly dollars and halves. An excellent imitation of a silver dollar was pronounced counterfeit last week by one of the banks of the state. When placed with a genuine coin, the bogus piece could hardly be detected.
The record shows that this has been the warmest October in thirty years, but probably not the warmest fall. These warm falls generally last into
December, and when our winter comes it is in a bunch, sticking by us until the cold has exhausted itself. Perhaps now that the coal strike is over, the north wind will begin to blow.
The Railway and Engineering Review notes the fact that the profession of railroading is four times ax dangerous as that of the soldier in time of war. During the year ended June 30, 1900, more than 51,000 railroad employees out of a total of 227,000 were killed or injured at their calling while during the same period only 1,640 out of an army of 63,000 in the Philippines suffered in the same manner.
Why can't Cortland emulate the example of towns out West, where rest rooms are being established? These rooms are located in the business centre, and are made cozy and comfortable with easy chairs, lounges, books and magazines. Some offer tea at the nominal price of three cents a cup. They are sustained by women's clubs in the cities or the merchants of the cities contribute to them with the idea that they help to draw trade.
No comments:
Post a Comment