Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1896 — HENRY GEORGE SAYS BRYAN WINS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HENRY GEORGE SAYS BRYAN WINS.

The Result of a Careful Tour of Observation Through the Central West. THE DRIFT FOR BRYAN. Aa Opiaien That la the More Valuable Beeause es Its Extreme Can* tiea aad Ooiuervatuin. Hvnry Oaerr* Undertook a Trip Through th* Doabtfal State* Convlaeed That MeKlaley Wautd Win- Hl* Obarva•lon Lead* Him to Change That Opinio* and He I* Now ConMdant of Bryan's __ Baec***. — Marly In September Mr. Henry George was reeueated by the New York Journal te make a tour of the so-called doubtful states in the middle west and to give the public In an entirely unbiased manner the result of his observations of the political conditions existing there. Before his reply was received the news come from Maine of the increased Republican majority at the state election there. Then followed Mr. George's answer as follows: “Chicago, Sept. 16, 1596. “Editor New York Journal: “In my opinion, confirmed by Maine, th* result is foregone. I believe, therefore, that a convinced free silver man would be better to make proposed trip for Journal than I, as candor Is sometimes uselessly painful to friends. Will go ahead If you wish and do my best to give exact truth as I see It, but my judgment and feelings are against this. “Would prefer to sav* my time and your money by not beginning. Could stop until tomorrow's committee meeting for your private information if you wish, though do not think I could learn anything not public; otherwise would start back. Advise me, Victoria hotel. “HENRY GEORGE.”

In reply to this message the editor of The Journal telegraphed to Mr. George, requesting him to remain for a short time In the doubtful territory and describe th* situation just as he saw it. On Oct. 5 Mr. George, having spent three weeks In the doubtful states, more especially In Illinois, Ohio, and West Virginia, was requested to telegraph, for the Information of the editor of The Journal, his opinion of the probabilities. In reply he sent the following: "Cleveland, 0,, Oct. 5. "Editor New York Journal: “My belief Is that Bryan will be elected. "This Is my carefully formed private, as well as public, opinion. I congratulate The Journal on the good prospects. "HENRY GEORGE.” Mr. George, It Is seen, began his journey with the settled conviction that McKinley’s election was assured. For this reason he suggested that some one elee undertake th* trip for The Journal. But as only the exact truth was desired, and as Mr, George is everywhere known for thoroughness of Investigation, accuracy of conclusion, and fairness of statement in all matters polltlcaL it was especially desired that he should make this trip and do this work. His repc m, are therefore valuable for their e,...re candor and reliability. Mr. Georg* has himself been surprised at the results of his investigations In the doubtful states. He began his trip fully convinced that McKinley ■would win. The results have convinced him that Bryan will win. After having sent The Journal the above dispatch from Cleveland, 0., on Oct 6, Mr. G«orge continued his journey through the states of Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota and returned to New York. On the 18th of Ooteber he submitted his final report to The Journal as follows. It is all the stronger and more valuable for Its extreme caution and conservatism: "October 18, 1896. “Editor New York Journal: “I came back to New York over more than a third of the continent to register my vote and hear Governor Altgeld make In Cooper Union the speech In which he set forth what, in my mind, Is the most Important of the Issues of the campaign. "The question that greets me from the lips of every friend I have yet met, and the question repeated in all I have as yet had opportunity to glance at In the pile of letters I found awaiting me, is: “'WHAT DO YOU REALLY THINK WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION?'

"'Let me answer questioners and correspondents, one and all, through the medium of The Journal. My personal opinion differs from that which has already been expressed in the letters that have recently been telegraphed by me to The Journal from the places where they have been written only In this: “I AM SOMEWHAT MORE CONFIDENT THAN MY LETTERS TO THE JOURNAL HAVE SHOWN, THAT BRYAN WILL CARRY THE STATES THAT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED DOUBTFUL IN THE CENTRAL WEST, AND WILL BE ELECTED TO THE PRESIDENCY. "I have no ability te see into the future, and am liable to all the mistakes of judgment that beset man or woman, but this Is my opinion as to what will be, formed after five weeks of as diligent, cautious and dispassionate effort as I am capable of to discover the trend and strength of the tides of political opinion now running in that part •d *he country. "m»ls was not my first opinion—on th* oontMry, it at first seemed to me that MoXjitaley, not Bryan, would carry the centra! west; but it is the matured conviction with which I came back to New York. And that the Ude ie daily setting more strongly toward Bryan, I am convinced. “HENRY GEORGE.” This ie not the work of a campaign manager, anxious to give a coloring of victory to his own side. It Is the result

fit ■ tour at efifiervattea of a candtd, tt'uthful, and reliable man, who began »he work With the conviction that McKinley’s election was sure. That is a correct forecast the 3d of November will prove. If a private citlsen contracts a deb* on false representations he is a criminal. If a chief magistrate conspires with a legislative body to disable a nation of debtors and prevent their paying their debts are they public benefactors or malefactors? If a few senators and representatives conspire with alien financiers to clandestinely enact a law that accomplishes the same object are they statesmen er traitors?

THE PLUTOCRATIC GUFFAW. —New York Journal