A STRING OF CANDIDATES IN 1888

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 10, 1888.

A String of Candidates.

   A number of Republican aspirants for political honors in this county has seldom been so large as at the present time. The fact that it is a Presidential year may account for the great number of candidates in the field. Even weak candidates think they can pull through in such years, owing to the fact that many republicans dislike to split their tickets on such occasions. The weak candidates are plenty now, and it is not unlikely if some of these are nominated, they may come in last when the votes are counted.

   There are a host of candidates for the nomination for Member of Assembly. Cortland has two candidates for this office. Rufus T. Peck and Enos E. Mellon are the gentlemen. Mr. Peck was formerly a resident of Solon, and served as School Commissioner for two terms several years ago. He has a bar'l which he has filled within the last few years in the county map business. Whether it will be on tap or not, we are unable to say, but we are informed that Mr. Peck proposes to have the nomination if it is to be obtained. He thinks he could represent the county at Albany "to the Queen's taste" and the fact that he would be able to put up at a first class hotel, may help his canvass some.

   Mr. Mellon is one of the good looking travelers for the extensive wall paper house of D. F. Wallace, in this place, and is a live, stirring young man of considerable ability. He is no slouch of an orator, and there has been considerable rivalry between him and Peck as to which should make the most and the longest speeches at the several pole raisings that have thus far been held in the county. If he had as much money as his competitor, with his activity and energy, there could be little doubt of the result.

   Marathon has two candidates. Both Jas. H. Tripp and Chas. A. Brooks want the place. The former would make a very creditable representative, but it is believed that his relations with the temperance people will injure his chances, for it is well known that the average republican hates a temperance man as bad as Satan hates holy water. Brooks dresses well and wears Burnsides, and may get the nomination.

   Frank P. Saunders, the present popular supervisor of Truxton, wants the nomination and if it goes out of Cortland he stands a pretty good chance to get it. He is a quiet sort of a man but flies that light on his back are likely to lose their footing.

   Chas. P. McVean of Willet, is also a candidate and it is expected that he will give the boys a sharp fight. He is a merchant and a very fair man. He was a Greeley man in 1872, and his opponents are using this to injure his chances.

   John Miller, John O. Reid and H. G. Borthwick of this place, all want to be Sheriff of the county. The first named is the present efficient undersheriff. Mr. Reid is the proprietor of the Peoples' Market on Clinton Ave., and the last named [incumbent sheriff--CC editor] is well known to our readers. Marathon has a candidate in the person of Adam Hillsinger, but it is pretty certain that this nomination will come to Cortland. Other candidates are liable to come up at any time.

   For County Clerk there are several candidates in the field. Dorr C. Smith and Robert Bushby of Cortland, Frank J. Collier and Harly Cummings of Preble, Adelbert Fuller of Cuyler and H. T. Bushnell of Harford, comprise the list so far as heard from. Smith is the well known lawyer and is at present acting as Secretary of the Citizen's Committee of the State Firemen's Convention. Bushby was County Treasurer for several terms and is the agent of the U. S. Express company in this place. Collier and Cummings are both farmers in Preble. Fuller was formerly a merchant at Cuyler and Bushnell [and] sells calico and sugar at Harford. May the best man win only to be knocked out on the 6th day of November next.

   So far as heard from, there are only two candidates for the office of District Attorney and they are H. L. Bronson, the present incumbent and Geo. S. Sands of this village. It is pretty well known throughout the county that Mr. Sands possesses a good education and has a good knowledge of the law. He is also a modest man and not at all given to blowing his own horn. He is entirely competent to fill the office and his character is above reproach. These qualifications however, are not such as will commend him to the average republican delegate; still the convention may conclude to depart from the old rut and make a respectable nomination. The office is one of the most responsible offices to be filled at the next election and the candidate ought to be a good one. Perhaps Mr. Sand's only opponent would not care to have his qualifications put in print and if so, his wishes shall be respected for the present at least.

   Vernon T. Stone, of Homer, the present Superintendent of the Poor, wants to be renominated and he probably will be, although J. L. Wheeler of this place, and D. K. Cutter of Scott will make a strong fight for the nomination.

   Several combinations have been made to handle the convention. Reid, Peck and Bronson have associated themselves together. In this combination it will be seen, no provision has been made for the outside towns, but the conspirators propose to have the candidates for Sheriff, Member and District Attorney all located in Cortland. Miller for Sheriff and Sands for District Attorney have joined forces. Whether they have a candidate in their combine from one of the out towns for Member we have not learned. Borthwick has been going it alone thus far, although we have heard it rumored within a day or two, that he had about concluded to injure his chances by going into the combine with Reid, Peck and Bronson, and dividing the delegates in this town.

   It has come to our knowledge within a day or two that one member of this combine has been soliciting certain Democrats to attend the caucus and vote for their delegates. We don’t know that this is true and we hope it is not. Any Democrat who will offer to vote at a Republican caucus, stands a right smart chance of having his vote challenged, and as he could not swear his vote in, he would be obliged to retire covered with shame. It is a reprehensible practice that should not be indulged in by respectable citizens and we believe there are no others in the Democratic party.

   The result of the convention next week will be looked for with interest. Possibly the out towns may organize a combination of their own that will knock the Cortland boys silly. Stranger things have happened.

Dissolution.

   The partnership heretofore existing between the undersigned, under the firm name of Smith & Bates [store located on Main Street in the Taylor block—CC editor], is this day dissolved by mutual consent. The hardware business will hereafter be carried on by F. D. Smith in his own name, who will also pay all debts of the new firm and settle all accounts due it.

   Dated Cortland, Aug. 4, 1888.

   F. D. SMITH,

   T. T. BATES.