New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-29
TILE pROSpECTIN CHENUNG COUNTY

IN M Il
GREENBACKERS DOING LESS WORK.
A DECLINE OF ENTHUSIASM IN CHEMUNG COUNTY
ELECTION OF A REPUBLICAN GRERNBACKER TO
TIE ASSEMBLY PROB ABLE--THR JUDGEsUIP IN
DOUBT BETWEEN A REPUBLICAN AND A GREES-
BACKRR.
IRON gTAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIRUNr.l
FIAfIRA. Oct. DIFFERENTIATION not only struck
Chemung County, year ago, but it struck IN, and
the notifies of this region of the State have been in
such mixed condition ever since that il is difficult
to get any very definite idea of what is likely to hap
pen here on election day. This county has for many
years been one of the Democratic strongholds. In
Presidential elections the Republicans have some
times carried it by the momentum they have given
to their canvass, but even in those years their
county ticket has generally been defeated by a
small majority, which has often been increased to
600 or 700 in other years. In some letters written
from this city last July | described the remarkable
growth of the National Decentralization party here
m 1877 when to the no small surprise of It's own
leaders even it came out ahead of both the old par
ties and elected member TO the Assembly. En-
couraged by this unexpected success, it continued
the campaign all Winter holding meetings in nearly
every school district. and in the Spring carried
everything before it again. The new party cap
tured the rank and file of the Democratic party.
leaving its Leaders almost without following. As
late as July last the GTeenbackeTs were stu hold
ing great many meetings in The country, organ
ling and consolidating the clubs and getting
ready to mako q most vigorous campaign this
Fan.
The first noticeable feature of the canvass at ts
tlne little more than a week before the election,
is marked letting down in the enthusiasm and
partial suspension Of campaign work among The
Greenbackers Just at time when | expected to
find the excitement at the highest pitch. 1t is not
easy TO account for this to estimate Its effect on
the election q week from next Tuesday. 1t may be
the patuTal result of reaction after long strain for
popular interest in political questions cannot al
ways be kept at fever heat; it may be that the
Western elections have turned the tide against the
Greenbackers rs they certainly have in other parts
of NewYork and in other States, or it may be that
the Nationals feel strong enough TO carry tho
county without much special effort at the end OF
the canvass. Whatever explanation is accepted,
the fact is admitted by the Greenback leaders
themselves. Mr.. James Wright, the National can
dldate for County Judge told me this morning that
he was the only one the ticket who stumping
the county, and attributed the apparent apathy Of
the Greenback politicians TO the confidence they
feel IN their ability TO carry the county without
effort.
tho Democrats have lost Chenung County. The
next. Assemblyman from here will undoubtedly be
Mr. John Banfeld, Republican Greenbacker.
against whom it is impossible to say anything
cept that he has been led astray the money
question: In the town where he lives and in adoIn-
ing towns he will run much ahead Of his ticket. In
the Legislature he will unquestOnably act with the
party which put him IN nomination on FINANCIAL
questions, but the people of this county greatly
misunderstood bin IT, with his Republican antcce-
dents and his known high character hc does not
sist every attempt to deliver the GFeenback votes
in the Assembly over to the Democrats in order TO
assist them to elect Senator. THIS is not said on
authority of any declaration that has been made BY
Mr. Banlield.
The contest for the County Judgeship in this
county is moro than usually interesting, because
the Nationals have nominated Mr.. james Wright
young lawyer of this city, who graduated
from the shOemaker's bench not long ago,
and who is influential in the State councils
of his party. lie is an, earnest, untiring
worker and really thinks he will be elected. Last
year he was the Greenback candidate for District
Attorney of Chemung, but behind his ticket
just enough TO be defeated, while the rest Of the
ticket was successful This year there is talk of
more National detection, and it would not be
prsing If il was sufficient to elect Mr.. Seymour Dex
ter, the Republican candidate, who has always
been a little stronger than his party whenever be
has consented TO run for Office.
The issue of the campaign here, as elsewhere, has
been honest money for the payment Of the debts Of
the Nation az well of individuals, and there has
been no division Of sentiment on this question
among the Republicans. AS the canvass has adj
yanced. the interest OF the people in the financial is
sues has seemed to increase and the Republicans
thin euc Speeches ne those delivered nv ex -Secre-
tary Boutwell, and Governor Woodford here, have
won them some votes. The Democratic leaders in
this county also nearly all hard-money men. but
they have not been in a condition 10 make
aggressive fight this question, owing to the de-
lection in their own ranks. The contest seems,
therefore, to lie between the Republicans and the
Nationals, with possibility that they may divide
the Offices. Z.I.W.
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