U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 10 November 1916, Page 5

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

■* TALK OF TAMPERING WITH FIGURES. ' • NEW YORK FIGHTS FOR PAPERS. CHAGRIN OF '.'HYPHENATEDS." NEW YORK, Nov S. There is tremendous interest in the election. The Democrats and Republicans are both demanding that the ballot-boxes be guarded. When it was realised this morning that the election was still doubtful the crowds literally fought for possession of fresh editions of the newspapers. There are many reports of tampering with the figures, and both sides are preparing to contest the counts. The German-Americans are deeply chagrined at the change in the situation. There was a state of frenzy in Wall Street following the confusion over the election. As a result of the cables sent all over the world announcing the election of Mr. Hughes, orders came in and prices of stock advanced rapidly, but afterwards dropped bade again.

THE LATEST NEWS.

NECK AND NECK RACE. POSITION STILL OPEN. HUGHES' POSITION IMPROVED. AN EPOCH-MAKING EVENT. Received 8.55. NEW YORK, Nov 9. Hughes and Wilson are running a neck and neck race. Hughes slightly pulled up during the night, but neither is yet sure of election. In complete California!! returns give Wilson 444,857, and Hughes 444,216. Democrats declare the election is epoch-making, because it marks the downfall of Eastern America, with its plutocratic influences, as a. determining factor in American elections. Here after the Democratic West will possess the political balance of power. Popular tension is increasing, and it is feared that rioting will result if the counts are much longer delayed. BOTH SAFE MEN. NO SWEEPING* CHANGES ANTICIPATED. WHICHEVER CANDIDATE WINS. CONSUL-GENERAL'S OPINION. "So far as we are concerned at home they are both safe men," remarked Mr A. A. Winslow, United States Con-sul-General, when questioned on the subject of the Presidential election. "Of course," he added, "the ideals they represent respecting internal affairs, and also international affairs, are not identical, but they are thoroughly representative men of their respective parties, Mr. Wilson's advantage being that he has already a Presidential record of a good safe conservative character behind' him. This contest, of course, is not between the actual men, but between the two great parties—Republicans and Democrats—and each man stands well in his party and has an equal record for sincerity and singleness of purpose in his devotion to the political ideals he represents."

, "According to the latest cabled figures," said Mr. Winslow, "the present one is the closest Presidential election since Garfield's time. On that occasion Tilden was the Democratic candidate, and Garfield the Republican choice, and the election resulted in a tie, the election thus being decided by the House of Representatives, which voted for Garfield. In the event or r. tie, Congress is not bound to elect either of "the candidates, but if it thinks fit can choose an entirely dir ferent man. And the same thing applies to the electors. The electors, who are themselves elected to elect a President, are not bound to vote for any particular person. But when elected they accept the position wits the distinct understanding that they will stand by the party. There lias been no occasion yet in which an elector has proved false to his electors." Discussing the possibility of Mr. Hughes' election, Mr. Winslow expressed the opinion that such an event would not result in any material change in America's foreign policy, from the Home papers it is indicated that Mr. Hughes might take a somewhat firmer stand in regard to certain matters," said the Consul-General, "but we really do not know much about Mr. Hughes' private intentions. He has not committed himself yet. At the same time he has always bt/zr. found to be a safe man when the occasion arises. It is his practice to be silent, and he scarcely ever indicates his purpose before the time comes for action. But when the emergency appears he has always been equal to It in the past."

Mr. Winslow explained further that a Presidential election does not have the same significance nowadays in its possible personal consequences as it had in the past. In the old days the defeat of the ruling i>arty meant a general scramble : " place-seekers, but now very rev/ : anges occur, except among the Minh : "rs of State and the higher posts. The change in the diplomatic, Consular, n;id ether St: ie departments would ba certainly less than ten percent.-< .on if the Democrats are defeated." The Hugheses fre Baptists and Welshmen —the Welshmen are unc >mmcnly active in big affairs just new. David Charles, the father, preached for many years in the State of New York. In Washington, his son, an associate justice, attends Calvary Baptist Church, the pastor of which, the Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Greene, is a wonderful man. Speaking to the men of the congregation on a recent occasion Mr. Justice Hughes said: "A going: religious enterprise is the most desirable thing on earth." Then he gave his conception of a Christian. "To have courage without pugnacity." ne said, "to have conviction without bigotry, to have charity without condescension, to have faith without credulity, to have love of humanity without, mere sentimentality, to have meekness with power and emotion

with sanity—that is Christianity."