New York state election, 1881
Encyclopedia
The 1881 New York state election was held on November 8, 1881, to elect the Secretary of State
, the State Comptroller
, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer
, the State Engineer
and a judge of the New York Court of Appeals
, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly
and the New York State Senate
.
state convention met on August 24 at Elmira, New York
. Mr. Furbish was Temporary and Permanent Chairman. All candidates were nominated by acclamation.
The Prohibition
state convention met on September 15 at Utica, New York
and nominated Stephen Merritt for Secretary of State; Jefferson Bissell, of Steuben County, for Comptroller; Frederick Gates for Treasurer; George Brooks, of Otsego County, for Attorney General; John J. Hooker, of Tioga County, for State Engineer; and Walter Farrington for Judge of the Court of Appeals.
The Republican state convention met on October 5. The incumbent Secretary of State Joseph B. Carr was re-nominated by acclamation. Ira Davenport was nominated for Comptroller on the first ballot (vote: Davenport 290, Henry L. Duguid 191). Leslie W. Russell
was nominated for Attorney General on the first ballot (vote: Russell 255, Hamilton Ward, Sr.
[incumbent] 231). James W. Husted
was nominated for Treasurer in the middle of the first ballot. Ex-State Engineer Silas Seymour (in office 1856-1857) was nominated again for this office, and Francis M. Finch, who had been appointed to the Court of Appeals to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Charles J. Folger
as Chief Judge, was nominated to succeed himself, both by acclamation.
The Democratic state convention met on October 11 and 12 at Albany, New York
. The Tammany
delegates were not admitted and left the convention. Erastus Brooks, the American
candidate for Governor in 1856, was chosen Permanent Chairman. William Purcell, of Rochester
, was nominated for Secretary of State on the first ballot (vote: Purcell 258, Charles Hughes
96, R. S. Stevens 14). George H. Lapham, of Yates County
, was nominated for Comptroller by acclamation. Roswell A. Parmenter, of Troy
, was nominated for Attorney General on the first ballot (vote: Parmenter 221, James W. Covert
57, J. Thomas Spriggs 55, Ruggles 21, Lewis L. Bundy 16). Robert A. Maxwell
was nominated after the roll was, amid some confusion, called twice for the first ballot (vote Maxwell 197, H. Catlin 187). Thomas Evershed, of Orleans County
, was nominated for State Engineer by a rising vote. Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr., was nominated for the Court of Appeals in the middle of the first ballot when the name of William C. Ruger
was withdrawn.
The incumbents Carr and Finch were re-elected.
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
, the State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer
New York State Treasurer
The New York State Treasurer was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1776 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the new Department of Audit and Control headed by the...
, the State Engineer
New York State Engineer and Surveyor
The New York State Engineer and Surveyor was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1848 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Department of Public Works which was...
and a judge of the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
and the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
.
History
The Greenback-LaborUnited States Greenback Party
The Greenback Party was an American political party with an anti-monopoly ideology that was active between 1874 and 1884. Its name referred to paper money, or "greenbacks," that had been issued during the American Civil War and afterward...
state convention met on August 24 at Elmira, New York
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
. Mr. Furbish was Temporary and Permanent Chairman. All candidates were nominated by acclamation.
The Prohibition
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party is a political party in the United States best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is the oldest existing third party in the US. The party was an integral part of the temperance movement...
state convention met on September 15 at Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
and nominated Stephen Merritt for Secretary of State; Jefferson Bissell, of Steuben County, for Comptroller; Frederick Gates for Treasurer; George Brooks, of Otsego County, for Attorney General; John J. Hooker, of Tioga County, for State Engineer; and Walter Farrington for Judge of the Court of Appeals.
The Republican state convention met on October 5. The incumbent Secretary of State Joseph B. Carr was re-nominated by acclamation. Ira Davenport was nominated for Comptroller on the first ballot (vote: Davenport 290, Henry L. Duguid 191). Leslie W. Russell
Leslie W. Russell
Leslie Wead Russell was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
was nominated for Attorney General on the first ballot (vote: Russell 255, Hamilton Ward, Sr.
Hamilton Ward, Sr.
Hamilton Ward, Sr. was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
[incumbent] 231). James W. Husted
James W. Husted (speaker)
James William Husted was an American lawyer and politician, elected six times as Speaker of the New York State Assembly during his 22 years of service there. During his political career, he became known as the "Bald Eagle of Westchester".-Biography:He was educated at Bedford Academy, and graduated...
was nominated for Treasurer in the middle of the first ballot. Ex-State Engineer Silas Seymour (in office 1856-1857) was nominated again for this office, and Francis M. Finch, who had been appointed to the Court of Appeals to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Charles J. Folger
Charles J. Folger
Charles James Folger was an American lawyer and politician. He was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1881 until his death.-Early life:...
as Chief Judge, was nominated to succeed himself, both by acclamation.
The Democratic state convention met on October 11 and 12 at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. The Tammany
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
delegates were not admitted and left the convention. Erastus Brooks, the American
Know Nothing
The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by...
candidate for Governor in 1856, was chosen Permanent Chairman. William Purcell, of Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, was nominated for Secretary of State on the first ballot (vote: Purcell 258, Charles Hughes
Charles Hughes (representative)
Charles Hughes was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Sandy Hill, NY....
96, R. S. Stevens 14). George H. Lapham, of Yates County
Yates County, New York
Yates County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 25,348. The county seat is Penn Yan. The name is in honor of Joseph C. Yates, who as Governor of New York signed the act establishing the county....
, was nominated for Comptroller by acclamation. Roswell A. Parmenter, of Troy
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, was nominated for Attorney General on the first ballot (vote: Parmenter 221, James W. Covert
James W. Covert
James Way Covert was a United States Representative from New York. Born at Oyster Bay, he attended the public schools and received an academic education in Locust Valley. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1863 and commenced practice in Flushing...
57, J. Thomas Spriggs 55, Ruggles 21, Lewis L. Bundy 16). Robert A. Maxwell
Robert A. Maxwell
Robert A. Maxwell was an American politician-Life:As a Democrat, he was New York State Treasurer from 1882 to 1885, elected in 1881 and 1883. On December 28, 1885, he was appointed State Superintendent of Insurance by Governor David B...
was nominated after the roll was, amid some confusion, called twice for the first ballot (vote Maxwell 197, H. Catlin 187). Thomas Evershed, of Orleans County
Orleans County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,171 people, 15,363 households, and 10,846 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 17,347 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
, was nominated for State Engineer by a rising vote. Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr., was nominated for the Court of Appeals in the middle of the first ballot when the name of William C. Ruger
William C. Ruger
William Crawford Ruger was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1883 until his death.-Life:He was the son of Sophia Ruger and John Ruger William Crawford Ruger (January 30, 1824 Bridgewater, Oneida County, New York - January 14,...
was withdrawn.
Results
Almost the whole Republican ticket was elected. Only Robert A. Maxwell managed to be elected on the Democratic ticket.The incumbents Carr and Finch were re-elected.
| Office | Republican ticket | Democratic ticket | Greenback United States Greenback Party The Greenback Party was an American political party with an anti-monopoly ideology that was active between 1874 and 1884. Its name referred to paper money, or "greenbacks," that had been issued during the American Civil War and afterward... ticket |
Prohibition Prohibition Party The Prohibition Party is a political party in the United States best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is the oldest existing third party in the US. The party was an integral part of the temperance movement... ticket |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State Secretary of State of New York The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A... |
Joseph B. Carr | 416,915 | William Purcell | 403,893 | Epenetus Howe | 16,018 | Stephen Merritt | 4,445 |
| Comptroller New York State Comptroller The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:... |
Ira Davenport | 417,460 | George H. Lapham | 403,385 | John Hooper | Jefferson Bissell | ||
| Attorney General New York State Attorney General The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman... |
Leslie W. Russell Leslie W. Russell Leslie Wead Russell was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:... |
416,337 | Roswell A. Parmenter | 403,704 | Dennis C. Feely | George Brooks | ||
| Treasurer New York State Treasurer The New York State Treasurer was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1776 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the new Department of Audit and Control headed by the... |
James W. Husted James W. Husted (speaker) James William Husted was an American lawyer and politician, elected six times as Speaker of the New York State Assembly during his 22 years of service there. During his political career, he became known as the "Bald Eagle of Westchester".-Biography:He was educated at Bedford Academy, and graduated... |
392,148 | Robert A. Maxwell Robert A. Maxwell Robert A. Maxwell was an American politician-Life:As a Democrat, he was New York State Treasurer from 1882 to 1885, elected in 1881 and 1883. On December 28, 1885, he was appointed State Superintendent of Insurance by Governor David B... |
413,341 | Allen C. Wood | Frederick Gates | ||
| State Engineer New York State Engineer and Surveyor The New York State Engineer and Surveyor was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1848 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Department of Public Works which was... |
Silas Seymour Silas Seymour Silas Seymour was an American civil engineer and politician from New York.-Life:... |
413,430 | Thomas Evershed | 406,711 | James H. Gould | John J. Hooker | ||
| Judge of the Court of Appeals New York Court of Appeals The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms... |
Francis M. Finch Francis Miles Finch Francis Miles Finch was an American judge, poet, and academic associated with the early years of Cornell University. One of his poems, "The Blue and the Gray", is frequently reprinted to this day.-Biography:... |
415,410 | Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr. Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr. Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr. was an American lawyer and Democratic politician.-Life:... |
403,799 | Lawrence J. McParlin | Walter Farrington | ||
Sources
- Result for Secretary of State: THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS in NYT on November 5, 1883 (recalling the previous result)
- Result for Rep., Dem., and Howe: OFFICIAL VOTE FOR STATE OFFICERS AS CANVASSED BY THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS in NYT on November 27, 1881