U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 9 November 1916, Page 5

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

HOW THE VOTING WENT. WOMEN'S VOTE ADDS TO UNCERTAINTY. NEW YORK, Nov 7. Tie indications are for early polls. Mr. Hughes is leading, but the figures are remarkably even. President Wilson cast his vote at a fire engine house at Princeton,, New Jersey, the premises having been temporarily fitted up as a polling station. Mr. Hughes voted at a small laundry in Eighth Avenue, New York. His ballot paper was numbered thirteen. One million and a half women vo:er add to the" uncertainty of the results. The States of New York. Indiana, and Ohio are. likely to turn the result one way or the other. The betting is even. Tie early returns from Massachusetts and Kansas, normally strong Republican States,, show that Mr. Hughes is.- slightly leading. There arc reduced Republican majorities and Mr. Wilson is running ahead on the Democratic tickets there.

EVEN GOING. MR. HUGHES IN THE LEAD. NEW. YORK, ,Nov 7. The Republican newspapers claim that Mr. Hughes has been elected, though the voting is still even. The "New York Times." which favoured Mr. Wilson, admits that New York State has given Mr. Hughes a majority. The latest figures indicate that Mr. Hughes is leading. WHAT DOES THE RESULT SIGNIFY? INTERESTING SPECULATION. (Reuter). VANCOUVER, Nov 7. Republicans announce that" the majority is greater than was hoped for. The present outlook indicates a clean sweep of both houses of Congress. I The outstanding feature of the contest is the record size of the vote throughout all States. Exactly what part the German-Ame-rican vote played is being discussed on every hand. Hamilton County, Ohio, a well-populated German settlement, gave Judge Hughes a handsome pluralty. On the other hand the '' Tribune" comments that Judge Hughes' election is a fitting reply to Germany's Lusitania atrocities, and thinks that after Judge Hughes takes hold a different treatment of attacks similar to those of the , U 53 may be expected.

RESULT CAUSES A SURPRISE* GERMAN-AMERICANS ELATED^ VICTORY CELEBRATED IN GERMAN CAFES. NEW YORK, Nov 8. The result of the election is admittedly a surprise. The predicted landslide for Wilson in the middle west did not eventuate. Despite the Eight Hours' Day movement, Wilson did not receive a single labour vote. It is evident that the Republican party has been completely re-united. German-Americans celebrated the victory hilariously in German cafes. Although returns are incomplete, the result indicates that Judge Hughes has nearly 300 electoral college votes. A few States are doubtful, but they cannot affect the result. The Republicans won in the House of Representatives, which composition will probably be: Democrats 213; Republicans 219; Independent 4. In the Senate the Democratic majority of sixteen has been reduced to four, and possibly less.

ISSUE STILL DOUBTFUL. WILSON MAY BE RETURNED. BY A SINGLE COLLEGE VOTE. Received 11.20 NEW YORK, Nov S. The Democratic managers and newspapers are claiming that of the doubtful States, which are not completed, will elect Wilson. The latest account shows Wilson to be leading in Vancouver by 8. If California favours Wilson his election is assured by a single electoral college vote. All parties are nonplussed at the amazing overturn of votes when Mr Hughes' election had been conceded. ISSUE STILL IN DOUBT. WESTERN RALLY FOR WILSON. Received 8.45. NEW YORK, Nov S. There is an unprecedented develop merit in the Presidential election. The first indicate appeared to give Hughes a majority as the figures

showed, but the Western States unexpectedly rallied to Wilson with forty electoral college votes. It is still doubtful whether Hughes is leading. The election is the closest in American history. ■ As most people are aware, the President is not actually elected by popular vote. The elections which have just been concluded are to choose the electors who, on January 8 next, meet to actually elect the candidates. These electors number 531. Of course,, the "colour" of the men chosen shows who is going to be tie new President. The result of the last election was as follows:^ Popular Elec. Party. Vote. Vote. Wilson .. Dem. .. 6,293,019 435 Roosevelt Prog .. 4,119,507 88 Taft .. Rep. .. 3,484,958 8 It will thus be seen that Mr. Wilson was elected only because the opposition vote was split between the Republicans and the Progressives, the latter being the party founded by Mr. Roosevelt. This time the Progressives did not nominate a candidate,, but the party organisation decided to support Mr. Hughes. There were five candidates for the Presidency, ,but the contest lay entirely between President Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) and Mr. C. E. Hughes (Republican). ■ The new President is a man of middle age, who at tie time he. was selected as Republican canGidate a few months ago, was a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest tribunal in the land. That he was appointed to this court is evidence of his ability and character. Before becoming a judge Mr. Hughes had been a very successful lawyer, and had come into national prominence as a reforming Governor of New York State, when he took a strong stand for /clean government.