Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 267, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1916 — AWAIT VERDICT AT THE POLLS TODAY [ARTICLE]

AWAIT VERDICT AT THE POLLS TODAY

Fully One-Third of Voting Done Here Before Eight a. m.—Balloting Promises to Be Heavy. America today awaits the verdict of the voters. She will be alive tonight, awaiting the flash of the election returns, with the party rivals cheering every gain made by their favorite. Confidence is expressed in both camps. The political workers in every city and hamlet have completed their task of electing their champion, the leaders have issued their final forecasts and nothing remains to be done but await the counting of the ballots. The balloting this year promises to be the heaviest ever recorded and the interest that has been manifested throughout the strenuous campaign is at fever heat today. Party workers are seeing that every registered voted does not fail to vote.

The citizens of Rensselaer were up bright and early this morning and flocking to the polls. Before 8 o’clock .this morning the polling clerks stated that fully one-third of the ballots had already been cast and it is probable that by the time we go to press there will be but a very, very few who have not yet cast their ballots. The polls will close promptly at six o’clock this evening and every voter is urged to cast his ballot before that time. Party leaders in the county are claiming victories for the county officials. The’ democrats admit that the bulk of offices will go to the republicans, as they generally do, but are promising some upsets that they say will surprise the republican party. The excellent weather of today made election day a cheery occasion and the best of feeling prevails. The work of counting the votes will start immediately after the closing of the polls this evening and the returns will be received at the court house, probably in the east court room. The returns will also be posted in the windows of the Hilliard & Hamill clothing store, who will also get returns from the national election by wire. Mr. Hilliard asks that the street in front of his store be kept free from automobiles in order that everyone may have a chance of seeing the returns.