New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-12
CAMPAIGN IN THE KEYSTONE STATE.
POLITICS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

BOTH PARTIES ACnvE-RBCovRRY OF CONGRESS
SIGNAL DISTRICTS TO REPUBICANs-A GAIN OF
SEVEN PRoBABLR-THE SITUATION IN EACH DIS
TRiCT.
lFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TEIBUNE.l
PTTsBUEGH, Sept 9.-There appears to be more
activity in both parties west of the mountains than
in the eastern portion Of the State. Ii was in this
section that the Democrats made their great and to
themselves surprising, gains of Congressman and
local officers in 1874, and they naturally eager
to keep part OF what lodged in their hands in
the landslide of that year. On the other side the
Republicans are Just eager to reclaim what they
regard belonging to them Irrespective of the
Presidential canvass, there would, therefore, be
pretty stiff contest this Fall in all districts and
counties which, after years of steady allegiance to
the Republican party, went over TO the Opposi-
ton in 1874. The remarkable changes IN the COM
peXion of the Congress districts that occurred that
year win be remembered by all who are familiar
with Pennsylvania politics. Every district west of
the Aleghenies except one returned Democrat,
whereas in normal condition of things every dis
trict save one had long been Republican. The vote
on the State ticket in these districts last FALL and
the powerful impetus always given to the Republic
local canvass by the excitement of Presidential
campaign, lead me to expect that the Republicans
will recover possibly ALL and certainly all except
one. of these districts. Their nominees are by no
means as good they ought to be, and in
the Democratic candidates have the advantage Of
greater ability and personal popularity, but party
lines are being strictly formed national issues
il is not boiling year--and the general Slump
ing down. Of the Democratic National canvass
makes it very difficult to create local diversions.
There is however, a Republican bolt in one Of the
Allegheny County districts but it does not promise
m - i.
didate IS Col. n. NJ. Bayne, who was beaten two
years ago. and against him A. G.. Cocluane the then
successful candidate, is running. John Megraw is
IN the field as an Independent Republican, running,
IT would appear, on his own account n tender TO
the Democratic machine, for he the nominee of
convention. Besides there is a Temperance candi-
date, the Rev DR.. :. II. Nesbtt Against Col. Bdyue
the religious question has been raised in drolly
unfair fashion. When he was young man his
father wrote n bitter anti Catholic pamphlet and got
him to put his namo on the title-page. Extracts
from this pamphlet are now circulated TO infamo
the prejudces Of the Catholics against him, and at
the same time the fact that he married Catholic
wife is used among the Protestant Irish argu-
nent TO prove that they ought not to support him.
look to see him elected however, by the force Of his
thorough party organization and the heavy Regubli-
can majority the district viii give for Hayes. The
IltlSDufgH ulSIllcJ lAAlldl SftIlS 10 10 Hipic III
doubt. The present member James II. HOPKINS,
who went IN on the fOod-tidc Of 1874, overcoming
q usual Republican majority of over 5000, is re-
nominated, and is quite popular among business
men, especially with those having river interests.
The Republicans, throwing Gen. Negley overheard,
have put up Russell Errett editor of The COmmercai
a veteran politician of decided ability, but unpopu
lar on account of his long connection with the
Cameron State Ring and his support Of the local
ring that has misgOyerncd the city for years. In
spite of a standard Republican majority Of about
$500 in this district the result is going 90 be close,
but Mr. Errett's chances appear to be the better
The XXIYth District Washington, Beaver and
Lawrence--saved FROM the wreck Of 1874, will of
course be Republican. Neither party has nominated
yet The Geenback faction talk of putting up
Gen II. b. McCOmb az a third party candidate. In
the XXVth-Indiana, Clarion, Armstrong and JEFF
ferson-the Democrats are running Geo. A. jerks
again. He has made fair record III ns one term IN
CODTess--was manager Of the Beiknap inpeaeh-
nent, which argued some degree Of prominence
but he will be beaten by Gen. Harry White, III
spite of the lattors unpopulafity. The XXIst Dis
trct, composed of WestmOTeland, Fayctte, and
Green, is conceded TO the Democrats who will prob
ably return their present representative, Nj. Tur-
ney. The XXVIIth- Warren, and Venango-
will be recovered by the Republicans. They have no
candidates yet, and are not out Of the snarl
about the relative weight of Erie County
in the conference that IN most Pennsylvania dis
tricts takes the place Of nominating convention
bad system, which puts the selection OF a caudi-
date into the hands Of few men delegated by the
county conventions. The XXYIth-Mercer, Butler,
and Crawforl-will also return TO its old Republican
allegiance. James Sheakey, the Democratic mem
Der, is running again. John N. Thompson is the
Republican nominee. Finally in the AXth District
Cambria Blair and Somersct--which straddles
the mountains, and is therefore partly in the terri
tory am describing-John Riley, Pennsylvania
Railroad mas the present Democratic member, is re-
nominated and his popularity makes him fofnida-
BILE The district belongs to the Republicans how
ever, and they will carry it unless they make de-
ciedly bad nomination.
The Pennsylvania delegation in the present House
consists of II Democrats and 10 Republicans. Capt.
McCIelland, the energetic Chairman of the Demo
cratic State Central Committee, whom met on
tram last evening, Is confident that his party will
lose only four districts. think be understands the
effect of the Presidential canvir~ and that the ne
suit will show a reversal of the present relative
strength Of parties on the delegation, making 1t
stand IL Republicans u 10 Democrlts--possiby IL
70 8. / regard IL as certain that the Republicans
will gain seven districts, and probable that the
number will be eight, but there is possibility that
they will lose one-the Montgomery County Dis
trict Their gains will be Ia the east. tho WITH
northern wards of Philadelphia lost in 1874 by the
Myers Ha1neT quarfel-and the Bradford District !;
aud in the west the XXth, XVIII. AXVith,