New-York tribune., 1876-09-30
lose it they ruined They realize this, and hence
their desperate energy. E.y.a
THE STATE CANVASS.

|
IFRoM sTAFP CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRmUNx1
| BUFFALO, Sept. 27.-0ld campaigners have como
| to regard Buffalo the most uncertain battle
ground in the State. glance at the election tables
viii illustrate this In 1866 the Democrats elected
| Congressman and regained the ground which they
had lost during the closing years Of the war. In
1857, they carried the county. In 1865 the Grant
electoral ticket had majority of about 1000, the
Republicans sweeping everything before them, and
| gathering sufficient momentum TO carry them
through the canvass of the next year. In 1870, the
Democrats rallied and bore of all the honors. In
next year the Republicans turned the tables and
In 1872 carried the county handsomely, electing
Congressman. In 1874, the Democrats returned TO
power only to be ousted last year. when the Republ
cans made unprecedented rum carrying the county
and electng Sherman s. Rogers Senator by majority
| of over $500 votes. The Democratic majority on
the State ticket in 1874 was $40; the Republican
majority in 1878, 1,147; in 1875, 3,022. These
markable fluctuations show that there Is a large
class of voters who yibFxte between the two political
parties. The county towns uniformly Republi-
can; their vote is quite constant swelling in volume
IN Presidential years. The fluctuations are mainly
caused by change of base in the city ITSELF and in
asmueh the Germans constitute a large proportion
over third-of the population it is safe to To-
cate the body Of this dOating vote on the East or
German side.
The Democrats suffered terrible defeat last year.
They were divided. When the county convention
met, strong faction under the leadership of
Controller Nichols, George w. Cothran and Henry
Richmond made violent attack upon Mr.. Laning,
the Ring" candidate for Senator and succeeded in
forcing him out of the field and nominating G. G..
Torrance in his place. The Ring Immediately
rallied its forces and gaining control Of the city con-
vention, nominated Mr. Laning for Mayor This
feud weakened the Democratic lines and led to an
overwhelming defeat. This year the breach has
been .healed and the party presents an unbroken
'front.' The leaders determined to retrieve their
losses, at all events to cut down the Republican
majority and open a way for Democratic success
next year. Their county convention entirely
harmonious, and their nominations were exceed
ingly shrewd. Two OF the leaders were ready TO
sacrifice their business partners, Judge Humphreys
partner nominated for Congressman, and Mr..
Lanings for State Senator. II is a young mems
tcket-a working team. Distrct-Attorney Lock-
wood, the candidate in the Congressional canvass,
has made good reputation in securing the eonvic
tion of George d. Lord. He presented the evidence
very clearly suInmrdup the case admirably, and won
signal victory three of the ablest lawyers in
Western New-iOrk. He il a man Of great energy
and determination. and will work hard tO win. Col.
wilett the Democratic candidate for State Senator.
has fine record in the war and in the courts He
waSAwounded at the battle of Cold HsrbOr, and took
command OF The 129th Regiment after the death Of
Col. Peter A. Porter He mas resided in Buffalo since
1871. These nominations were both strong but
the shrcwdest move WIS made in connection with
the office of Sheriff. This is the most remunerative
Office in the county, being worth about $4,000
year. Joseph l.. HaberstTo, brewer and one Of
the most popular Germans in the city, nomi-
mated for Sheriff. This is direct bid for the Ger
man vote. Mr. Habcrstro has already served the
city faithfully in the office of Treasurer and the
nomination Is a very strong one.
Meanwhile the Republicans have not been behind
hand. Their ticket with the exception of a single
uame, liz the best one they have ever nominated in
this county OF the nomination OF Mr.. T.. &. Spauid
ing Tor Congress have spoken In previous letter.
Mr.. L. Carleton Sprague the candidate for State
Senator is u colleague worthy OF the veteran fnan-
cer Mr.. Sprague's instructors in law were the most
distinguished in Bufalo-Millard Fillmore.
Nathan X. Hail tafterward PoStInaster-Gencrh and
United States District Judge and solomon
G.. Haven. He is of the most power
full advocates in the State, and has for
many years occupied a commanding position
in his profession. The only Office he has
ever held has been that Of Register in bankruptcy.
Although he has been an earnest Republican since
the organization of the party he has never been an
offee-seeker, but has elung tcnacousy 10 his pro-
fessiOn. lie is prominently connected with the Fine
Arts Academy and the Society of Natural Science,
and represents all that is progressive and sound in
she social development Of the city. The nomination
for Sheriff il n weak spot in the ticket There was
fierce contest in the convention over this Office.
There was q "Rng" candidate, and there was an
ant-Rmg" candidate, and in the end W. w. Law
son carried off the prize. This unfortunate, for
tI,.T atftra haa nnt haap
brilliant and his competitor is a very popular man,
especially among the Germans. The Republican
local ticket Ola the whole is much stronger than the
Democratic. For Congress the choice lies be-
tweep veteran lawyer and banker, who
won national reputation during the war by mold
ing financial legislation at a momentnus crisis and
a ymu2 lawyer whose name is not known outside of
his own county. Mr. Spaulding ought to have $500
majority and think he will. Mr. Sprague will also
run ahead of his ticket although his majority will
be less than Mr.. Roger|s was last year. The Demo-
cratic candidate for Sheriff will probably run 1000
votes ahead of his ticket in this city but this will
not insure his election for the Republican majority
on the State ticket in the county cannot fall short
of 1000. This will be falling off Of over 1000
votes from the previous year, but as have already
explained, the Democrats were rent asunder then,
but are united now. The Republican managers are
confident that they can keep the majority level
with last years vote. The conditions of The can
vass were abnormal last Fall. They cannot expect
to do as well this year.
A prominent Democrat remarked to me yesterday
that he better organized party always carried the
| county. "Ours," he said "is splendid working
ticket. The other side have admirable candidates,
but they win not work ours will. At first ap-
pretended that Mr. Robinson's record on the qnes-
ton ofcanal tolls would cause us some embarrass-
ro,,y 40 mt heIinve II will coat us n GIN