The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-06

oTsEGO COUNTY.
RroHFrrLD SPRINGS, Dec 10, 1875

AssEMRLYMAE DAVENPORT
OtsegO county this year Will not only be represented
In the Senate along with her sister county OF Herk
by democrat, but will be represented IN the AS
senbly by two democrats The successful candidate
in the First district is j. S Davenport Of this place
Mr.. Davenport expressed himself unqualinedly in
favor Of a change in the present election system in
New York He said:-'A local election should never
be held anywhere at the time a general cleo
ton. II the one in any place made in some way to
depend upon the other, much the worse. Let
the two parties carry their battles general or
state issues on common ground, each side meeting
the issues fairly; but local question should be
brought IN to give TO obtain influence from any side "
On my reminding Mr., Davenport that Governor Til
den 1872 when the Committee Of Seventys charter
was under discussion In the Assembly, advocated a
spring election in New York local officers and had
at another time appeared before the Senate Committee
on Cities 70 urge the Importance OF the subject upon
them, he sad:--
''Mr Tden, being old resident Of New York,
should certainly know what is best for the city in this
respect | do not myself know Of any argument that
Will stand for moment against those that can be
made IN favor OF a spring election. II has everything
in its favor To say nothing OF the certainty, by the
combination of all good voters of the election OF good
candidates the chances are IN iavor OF the selection
OF better class OF men at separate local election than
If they were voted Tor when other than local matters
were 10 be considered"
AssEMBLYMAN sCRAMLING.
The representative from the Second district Is George
Screaming, a lawyer who is widely known through
the object Of my visit he said answer to my request
for his opinion on the question OF the spring eecons
III have been so actively engaged OF late that have
not had time TO read the HERALD but cursory and
have not had much opportunity carefully to study the
arguments advanced by the paper in support of spring
election for local officers in New York have heard
the articles quite frequently alluded to, however, and
believe that most people the country districts who
have read them must have been lavorably impressed
by them. My own opinion is that spring election
In New York for local officers is the very thing the
city wants to good city officers. | may
be mistaken, and may have to change my opinion
when | am made more familiar than am
with the subject but hardly think many good
sons can be given why local election in the city would
be harmful be given TO show that it would be OF
advantage 10 the citys interests. We have local
elections here in February, and the fact that they
held at different day from the general election affords
voters excuse for ecctng candidates who open
10 the charge OF incompetency, to say nothing
republican democrat cannot put in the plea that
he voted for the republican democratic candidate for
this or that local office who may have been nom mated
against the wishes of the best class OF citizens of both
parties simply because the candidate was republican
or democrat. 1t won't go down, for party lines
IN reality not considered binding at local election
Now can understand If the local elections here even,
were to take place the day the general cleo
ton, how plausible such an excuse might be when
State issues were at stake and party excitement and
rancor at their height