New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-02
POLITICS IN ROCHESTER.

GREAT STRENGTH OF THE TEMPERANCE MoNh"hNi
MANY VOTERS LIBELY TO STAY AT HOME
MIR. VAN vooRHIs's CONGRESSIONAL CANVASS.
IrRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBusE.l
ROCHESTER, Oct 31.-This city may be consid-
cred the centre of the Prohibition movement-an
agitation which, to the amazement of poll
ticians. has suddenly assumed great proportions
Not since the days when Myron II. Clark was elect
ed Governor has the vote of the Temperance State
candidates been az great 1t will be the present
year. For years the Temperance agitatOrs have
found il an impossible task to bind together the
various Temperance societies. leagues and assoca-
tons into body. as 1t were, for action on cleo
ton day. Voters who have belonged TO Temperance
societies have said that they might as well throw
their votes away as to cast them for Temperance
candidates. because these candidates had no chance
of election. Dsliking thus to make their vote
blank. they have, with few EXCEPTIONS refused 10
vote for the candidates nominated by the more zeal
GUS Temperance advocates.
The present year the members Of the Temperance
societies are tempted to vote for their own candi
dates by the dsaffection of Republicans their
State ticket Much of this disaffected Republican
vote will be given to the State candidates OF the
Temperance party. 1t was the perception or this
fact which aroused the Temperance partys leauer'
to activity few weeks ago. Since then they nave
nominated candidates for the Assembly in almost
every Assembly district in the Western part OF tne
State and in several of the Congressional dlsr'c'S
also have candidates. But their main hope Hes AZ
obtaining n large vote for the State candidates A.
A Honkins their candidate for Governor, who lives
in this city, during the past fortnight mas maui
speeches nightly in the villages OF this secton ol
the State. Upon Monday night he made an ADDRESS
in New-York. The temperance plank OF INC he-
| publican platform dlspleases both the temperance
advocates and the liquor interest.
well-informed politician of Rochester having
made this statement to THE TETBUNEs correspond
emf the latter said; "Why, George Bliss thought
when he wrote the Republican platform at Saratoga
that he had we'll balanced that plank"
The politcian replied Eyes it is plank so
wall balanced that neither side will get on It, The
louor men are especially furious about
it. In Rochester here as you may
know there are some of the largest
breweries in the United States. Well, all these
brewers think they are menaced by that plank.
They are giving all their influence, therefore, to-
ward the election of n Democratic Governor and
Assembly Yet. as have said, the Temperance peo-
pie don't like it, and the disafected Republicans
who never before thought of voting the Temper
anee State and Assembly ticket that they.
will do so this year. Their action has wonderfully
set up the original Temperance people 1t has made
going to elect their candidate for Assemblyman in
the LIST Assembly District of this county. The
largeness of the vote for tho Temperance State can
ddates will amaze people when the returns come III
on election night There will be one inconvenience
TO Republicans in the largeness of the Temperance
vote namely-that next year the Temperance lead
ers will brag about their big vote this year aud en-
courage people to follow along with them III the
movement.
"a rather novel feature Of the Temperance can
yass may be witnessed in this city next Friday
night The Temperance leaders some time ago
challenged the liquor dealers to a JOINT discussion
of Temperance issues The dealers have accepted
the challenge and The joint debate will take place
at Music Hail."
Republican dsaflection, as has been seen, will
manifest itself through the largeness of the Tenn
perance vote. 1t will also express itself. in the
opinion of Republican politicians in two other
ways, by voting directly for Cleveland and by
abstaining from voting. 1t is the universal tes-
tmony here that the stay-at-home Republicans
will outnumber those who will vote for Cleveland
Furthermore there is evidence that the disaifecioD
is as great among the Republican farmers as among
the Republican residents OF towns and villages,
contrary to general expectation.
MIR G. j. Reynolds Editor of The Rural Home.
which is published IN this city, said to-day: we
are acquainted with their opinions. Make mis-
take they are as fully acquainted with every
thing that goes in politics the resi-
dents in the cities l find that q large
proportion of the Republican farmers are
not going to support the Republican State ticket.
They still remember the Senatorial struggle of last
year. the part that President Arthur took in that
struggle, and the shooting Of Garfield; and they
think that the nomination of FClger was virtually
made by Arthur, They, therefore, will not support
that nomination. Many of them will stay at home
on election day. l am a Republican; but l shall
vote for Cleveland for Governor the most direct
way of censuring the National Administration. All
this talk about a reaction is mistaken. There is
none. The farmers made up their mind as soon as
the Saratoga Convention was over. and nothing has
occurred to change it. Upon the contrary, / think
the feeling against the ticket has been growing
stronger"
The following letter from prominent clergyman
of this city to Republican politician here of State
fame, well expresses the views of many city Repub-
licans:
Like yourself, have always been Republican have
the party ticket. ], with You have hesltated leave
party which has done 50 good work, especially when
this would be flying to evils which knew not or But
it seems that the time has come to do this.
In my Judgment further liberation OF the methods that
far greater evil any which could arise from Dem
ocratIc ascendancy. Tuere he hope reform
long the present Administration has its way To help
schemes is to nelp t and such IL to unlimited and
irresistible and ntermlnable sway In politics. first
duy of the hour to the Govern
ment from the hands Of the gang who control it,
The disaIection to the State ticket is causing
great anxiety among the Republican leaders in re-
gard to the local tickets. Uncertainty respecting
the number of Republican votes that will be poled
for the State ticket naturally causes uncertainty
respecting the number that will be poed for can
didates for the Assembly and for county Offices
The feeling of doubt also reaches even Congress
sional candidates; although in this district John
Xn Nnnrhis the Rennhlican candldatn anonna A. |