New-York tribune., 1875-11-01
THE STATE CAMPAIGN.

rroN-prsKSrMFNT OF HIS FRIENDs-REPUB-
rIc.N APATHY ovER-INDEPENDRNT VOTERS
SUPPORTING CANAL REFORM.
IrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE'l
BUFFALO Oct. 2s.-Previous to the election IN
Ohio the Republicans of Western New-iork showed
yery few signs of political ife and had it not Deeh
for the stimulus of victory there nothing but the
most suicidal dissensons in their own ranks "ouiu
have prevented the Democrats. in Ere county a'
least. from walking the course and winning q
v;etorv through the default OF their opponents Tue
Republicans of Buffalo, judging from the testimony
of Trustworthy members Of both parties, were, p1or
70 the 18th Of October, very much in the condition
Of their marty friends in Ohio before ex-senator
Sehurz. the Hon. Stewart L. Woodford, and few
other able and fearless advocates of honest currency
went there and infused life into the canvass ana
courage into the hearts of the party leaders, only
the apathy here was great deal more general. The
sudden awakening of the last two weeks came
almost too late, and Lad the Democrats been thor-
oughly united they would have carried the county
in spite of IT, As il is there is enough uncertainty
about the result TO give both sides encouragement
and keep them at work up TO election day.
The defeat of Mr.. Laning in the Democratic Sena-
torial Convention came very causing division
in the party in this county too great to be healed De-
fore the 2d of November. Whatever Others may
think Of Mr. Lanings course in the Legislature last
Winter there is doubt that il was very genelaily
approved by the Democrats of Buffalo, ano that he
earned a pretty wide popularity among his con-
stituents by his successful management OF several
local measures in which they greatly interested
His friends also say in his defense that the position
he assumed in regard to Gov. lidens canal message
was not the result of antagOnism TO the pocy OF re-
form but rather of his desire to secure the reduction
Of tolls on the canal in which the people of this city
srtov N IN he meeting of the
Convention Mr. Laning's friends had no doubt OF
his denomination and they probably neglected to
make az great an effort 70 secure delegates in his
favor as they might otherwise have done. But his
opponents put out the idea that Gov Iiden desired
his defeat; and although Mr.. Laning had almost tine
entire city delegation, he beaten by majority
of one and Mr. CyTenus G. Torrance, country
LAWYER of fair ability and good character, was noi-
mated in his place.
THE CITY CONTEST.
This unexpected turn in the current Of affairs
threw the Democratic party Of this county into
great confusion. Mr.. Laning's friends III Buffalo,
supported by The Courier, the leading Democratic
journal in the county control III great measure the
party organization, and do the lions share OF the
campaign work Disappointed and disgusted as
they were il seemed for time though they would
refuse TO exert themselves and Gov Tilden came in
for his full share of abuse. Senator Lanngs friends
now say that they have subsequently received as
surances from Albany that Gov. Tllden did not init
mate his desire for Mr. Lanng's retirement from the
Senate but that on the other hand he was satisfied
that had Mr. Laning been reelected he would have
given the Governors measures his hearty support.
These assurances have come from so high source
that tLey have certainly produced a much better
feeling among the Lamng Democrats OF Erie County,
which has been stil further increased by the noini-
r. I for tho DOSitOn of MaVOr of
Buffalo, To this Office he viii undoubtedly be
elected bnt whether the party discipline will be
strong enough or not TO prevent good many OF his
friends from scratching Torrance as well as portions
O, the state ticket remains to be seen. The party
leaders are, believe, doing everything in their
power to carry the whole ticket through and give to
Gov. Iilden the support of Erie County.
The difficulties Of the Democrats in the Senatorial
contest are still further increased by the exception
ally good nomination that has been made by the Re-
publicans. Mr.. Sherman S. Rogers of Buffalo is one
of the best known lawyers of this city, and seems
actually to have no enemies. He will receive the
united support of his party throughout the county,
and in this city, great many votes from the most
intelligent and respectable class OF Democrats.
Everything at present seems to point TO his election
The Republicans expect TO make his majority
thousand. If il is great as that. 1T will be a
measure of his personal popularity rather than OF
the strength Of his party.
The less that is said about the Assembly nonina-
tions in this county the better Although there may
be one OF two good men among the eleven thus far
put up 10y both parties the Republicans have not
yet made their nomination in the 1st District, the
majority os them are a sorry lot who are not likely
TO reflect any great amount Of credit either upon the
county or the party they represent Tie Democrats
concede three districts the Republicans and claim
two. The Republicans give one district, the LIST, to
the Democrats. aud claim the other four.
OF the minor nominations the city tickets
know very little, but from what l have heard of
them there cannot be much choice between them.
One man Oh each ticket has, believe, been indicted,
and several Of the others probably ought to have
been.
THE REFORM PARTY's SUPPORT.
The vote which tie Bgelow State ticket will re
eeiye in Erie County VIII depend somewhat npon
the heartincss with which Mr.. Lanmg's friends in
this city support it, and also upon TIE strength OF
the popular undercuuent in favor of administrative
reform and economy of public expenditures among
the country voters. What effect the latter element
Will have upon the election it is hard TO tell. In
great cities like Buffalo the professional politicians,
with whom the casual visitor comes most frequently
in contact not the class of men from whom Gov.
1idcn or any other genuine reformer would expect
t. get very enthusiastic support. They are gener-
ally men Of very Little principle and to appeal to
them on any high moral ground is more likely than
not to be firing over their heads When reform be-
comes the fashion, and is the ralying cry on which
their party rides into power then they enthusi
astc refoImeIs, but when it hurts some of their
friends aud political allies they cant see the use of
it anyhow" But when we go behind this class of men
and get down to the people especially in the country,
il has generally been the experience that when
they have been once convinced Of the existence of
dicbopaetv racco1ifv Of aov ind and fbob hon