Year: 1875

FONDA Montgomery County, Oct go 1875


The late Senator Blood, who elected Senator from
the Fifteenth Senatorial district in 1869 used laugh
very heartily the way he succeeded defeating
his republican opponent do not know that the dis
trot deserves to-day the bad it had then with
politicians Of being the most purchasable district in the
State but anyhow Senator Bood's story was that on
the day of election money freely used by his
pcutors hackers who had TO pay pretty large price
for the votes that were in the market II how
the thing working, said Blood in telling his story,
and my friends very about the situation.
why don't you 60 in and buy up majority, said one
of my workers. Coniound il you've got plenty Of
the stuff to do it with But ! knew
what l was about and let my opponent
have everything his way until the afternoon. Then


did 60 IN and got all the wanted and it being
late in the day, didn't have to pay third the price
my friends the other side had to in the morning
That's the way got my majority, and Of the boys
glad enough take dollar a before the polls
closed" This certainly, was rather a shameful
Iession, but it in the days when there was no
law that could deal with money dealers polls
way that would be effective it may be that Saratoga
district was, in Blood's time more Shameless than
many another though making less pretenson vir
tue. However that may be- there are not a
few politicians in the State day, OF both parties
who have idea that the district is yet rather
prone 10 60 for the candidate who has the heaviest
purse and il was a remark OF politician to that effect
which reminded Of Boods boast as TO how easy a
could get elected there if he only knew the ropes
and when 70 give the tug. What influence money viii
have in the district tbs year is yet mysery but
the democrats have it that piles Of II be used
In the ye counties the reelection OF Senator
Wagner. The law relative bribery at elections and
especially the constitutional enactment which compels
members % take iron clad oath
which 80 many evaded last year by legal qubble that
cannot be raised this year WILL Of course prevent any
OF the candidates themselves using money they have
any conscience. Indeed, do not think that Senator
Wagner himself would countenance anything Of the
kind in his behalf matter how anxious he may be
get elected any more than would hIr. Benedict, his
democratic opponent But there are various ways
of using money to further candidates election
in which the candidates themselves may take active
part They may not promise anything or give any
thing to anybody to his vote, yet their friends
who desire their election for good OF their
own those who desire particular defeat and
who stand in no awe OF the iron clad oath though they
may be willing TO take their chances Of getting into the
clutches of the law in manner make up their
minds to use money in the canvass, that IS Of
the candidates business At least such seems to be
the impression Of some OF the politicians and 50 ar
guing, apprehend that they will carry Their peculiar



they cannot gain their point otherwise | refer
more particularly to certain parties who de-
lermined TO defeat Wagner at all hazards though
others who are nxious that lac should returned to
the Senate Will not hesitate learn, fight his enemies
with their own weapons II may be that the Cover
nors circular TO the district attorneys Of the various
counties will these parties 70 be rather circum
spect In their operations, but they would be crcum-
speet even II II was never promulgated RECORDER
HAcKErT sAYs:-'lF TIE NOTIONS FoREsHADnw
SHOULD Re AcQUEscED II ny TnE CRIMINAL JUDGES
MUCH AS THE COMPOSITIONS OF POLITICAL COMMITTEES.
OFTEN CHANGES, MIGHT THE COMPOSITION COURT
OFFICERS, AND THERERY CONFUSION AT LEAST, M ocCA-
STONED. CANNOT SANCTION YOUR PROPOSITION for no
matter how freely money used TO gain election,
the distributors do not make their little bargains the
open squares for the edifeaton oi all passers by.


scHgMHG sENAToRsHP


The question Of moneyed influence in the district dare
say would have entered SO many peoples minds
this year had not beeu Tie sudden discovery made
by Wagners friends, quite recently. that there
plot on foot TO defeat him right in his own political
household. Though there tusse be-
tween him and George West in the Conven
ton nearly month ago for the nomination, Of which
gave you pretty fair idea in previous letter review
ing the political situation in certain Districts It all
patched up apparently when West received a unan
trict Of Saratoga county That West had good
20 feel badly over his discontinue in the Senatorial
Convention, particularly as Wagner had promised hun
year ago that he would not be candidate Tor reno
mination this year, there can be reasonable doubt
Had he been defeated by large majority u the dele
gates ms heartournings msht not nave been 50 great
the indignation Of his friends, Who legion the
district 50 intense as il s the fact that Wagner
Tlumphed by single vote, and that that vote
pledged 70 West in person twenty four hours before the
Convention met And now has come the trouble. Two
weeks ago Wagners course looked clear al present he
Is really IN danger, and although West, ! believe is
acting honestly and Loyalty in the contest,
know that many who desired his nomination
are secretly working to bring about Wagner's defeat
over these men West has control apparently, and
their work NJ Is being carried On w steathv tha ID i
almost impossible 70 tell 70 what extent they have
over 70 their way o. thinking other republicans who
not nc. over friendly 70 Wagner as railroad" man.
less his beng shareholder IN sleeping
company places him in that category. At all
events the cry has been raised against him that he
not the representative Of the district the Senate the
last four years much rs agent for railroads.
another stamp was pus " in bis place ''' Il i
more than probable that Wagner could afford
70 let this cry up all the district vet get
eiecedi but 4 alone Il would prove too weak weapon
70 beat him down with, when coupled with the
genc planning and plotting of young men who have
Of whom have ample means satisfy the capacious
NAV of


GREEDY VOTER,


who will be In the market Tor the hg hest bidder il be-
comes quite formidable Certain il Is that the
opposition started against him recently within his
party and which happen to know will be wnked at
by many republicans who bitterly opposed 10 his
denomination even II they do not actively and openly
take sides against him, Will give his friends an they
can do to elect HIM n spite of the fact that two
little 200 gwen 70 his opponent and these
300 all IN Montgomery county. This however
ii would SEEM was not regarded in the district as
proof of his popularity, il outside OF the dis
trict and particularly in New York, by those who
not an J az to the condition Of affairs IN the district
the time The democratic vote Tor the State ticket
the same year Wagners opponent got this mite OF
IL 600 so IL stands 10 reason that had
there been really democratic candidate In the deld OF
any strength he could have polled least q 900
'Mlspaugh, who opposed him, said democrat
me, in speaking of the vote was mere cat's-paw
which, by the way bad phrase for politician
Taking it for granted, then that Mr. Benedict will poll
the full Of his party t must bc remembered that
the vote Of 1873 light vote and that the demo-
cratic vote in the district last year was
over Is 000L a serious onslaught Mr. Wag-
by republicans, and that is carried
with great deal Of secrecy all the more danger
Gus, will make his election matter Of grave douot.
But will money turn the tables way the other2
IL there many voters in the district who
be bought and sold like much cattle in Blood's
time, the party with the largest amount of currency
arguments will carry the day and am told that many
OF Mr.. Wagners hackers, rather men who say with


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