New-York tribune., 1880-02-20
THE STATEN ISLAND PRIMARIES.

CAUSES OF Mr.. CCRIIs's DEFEAT-sENTMENT IN
REGARD TO oGRANT-coNvERsAT.ONs WITH SIR.
Curtis AND OTHER REPUBLICANS.
Staten Island politicians earnestly discussed
yesterday the political situation resulting from the pr
mary elections for delegates the Republican County
Convention which were held Tuesday evening. George
William Curtis was yesterday by TRIBUNE re-
porter at his Office in the Harper Building in Franklin
square. In answer TO Inquiries about the condition OF
affairs in Richmond County he said
"Thc question at issue the primary elections there
was not so much of National politics OF local i
teress The feeling in regard TO Grant was not brought
out, bu, ofceholdng and patronage affected the re-
suit. Mr.. Judds ternSof Office as Quarantine Commits
sl0ner expires presently, and he is deSrous Of re-
appointment. There several other gentlemen who
are equally desirous Of the same Office All the
powers OF patronage and the promise OF pat
ronage we're used 10 carry the primaries
ESeryone who had anything TO make worked
aganst me- They all knew that had IO influence in
State politics. and whatever might have at the Ma
tiona capital would not be used as they desired The
whole power OF the machine was worked against me.
In some districts, Democrats-known as sucb-were
brought in to carry the primaries. Inthe With District
in Mddietown at the election only fifty fOur Re
publican cast but at the primary, Tuesday
night ninety five persons voted In the lid District. In
Sapefon there werej many votes at the primary
as at the general election"
Another reason for the opposition 10 me- continued
Mr. Curtis was my course last Autumn in reference
70 the state ticket IL aenated number Of my Repub
Ican friends. and perhaps they thought 1t would be
wise TO practice little discipline know Of number
ot autiGrant men who worked against me. / lave
lone ex oected defeat but do not believe my
last Autumn would have been sufficient of
itself 10 defeat The result was brought
about by the effects OF personal struggle for
place IL was well known by those opposed to Inc that
the officials at Albany would not be inclined TO favor
the rcappontment OF Mr. Judd II he could not beat me
on Staten Island. Hence every effort was put forth
The delegations from several OF the election districts
will contested in the Convention While the contests
NAV lessen the majority against me, do not think they
viii overcome IT,"
"wim the convention instruct the delegates Mr..
Curtis ."
I'VE have never been In the habit Of instructng
delegates. When have been sent it has always been
pretty we'll known what would do. vote may be
taken the Convention which Will bring up the matter
and show the sentiment"
"wbat IL the feeling IN regard TO Grant ON Staten
1slandf Is 1t equally divided" I"
Yes" said Mr.. Curtis pausng thoughtfully, "I
think Is pretty equally divided between the two par
ties and against Grant SO II me, far
/ can Judge from what know OF politics there"
Z" VINO Is favored Ia opposition To Grant y
al do not know whether Blaine, Sherman, or Wash
onrne or EdmaDds, OF General GaIfieid. or any Que
who has been coDspcu0usly mentioned In connection
with the nomination, Is favored. do not desire TO
press my personal choice As have paper OF my
Own. IL would come most fifty through that"
Dc Witt q. Stafford, OF NOrthheld, chairman OF the
County Committee yesterday said that the Of the
defeat OF Mr. Curtis lay IN the fact that there
twenty men on staten Island who wanted offce and
they all pulled their friends with them In Nortbfeld
where the Republicans poll forty votes, the primary
brongbt ont 102 The opposition 10 Mr.. Curtis
arose partly from his course last Fan and