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Presidential Preferances
of
REPUBLICAN
VOTERS IN
OLD JENNINGS
From the May 1, 1879 issue of the North Vernon Plain Dealer

Last week a number of Republicans were interviewed at North Vernon in regard to their choice of a presidential candidate, with the following results.

April 22, 1879
    Eldo Hicks: I am not for Grant, but would vote for him.
    Charles Gautier: I am for Hayes. He has proved himself a good Republican, and at the same time pleased the South.
    Edward S. Whitcomb: I am for Grant because he can beat any man the Democrats put up.
    D. Overmyer: I am for Grant because he is the greatest man in the nation, and because Grant, as President, keeps before the people the fact that the union triumphed in the war.
    W. G. Norris: Sherman, because he gave the people confidence in our national finances.
    F. M. Batman: Grant, because he is the fitest man for the place.
    A. S. Conner: Grant, He is the best man. The Democrats have made his nomination necessary.
    John Curtis: Not Grant.
    P. Conklin: Grant. We know him.
    L. H. Hill: Grant. We want a man who will set his foot down and bring the rebels to Limerick.
    John Fable: Grant. I think him the strongest.
    J. G. Berkshire: Grant, because he will get the soldier vote, will hold the South level and get up more enthusiasm than any other man.
    J. M. Jones: John Sherman. He has proved himself the right man wherever he has been put. Will not vote for Grant if nominated.
    H. C. Smith: Blaine. Grant will not do. He will loose largely of the soldier vote because he vetoed a bounty law.
    C. H. Green: Grant. He took the country when everything was unsettled and left it in good condition.
    J. H. Passmore: Grant, because he will get more votes than any other man in America. Sherman next.
    A. Doll: Sherman. He is the best financier ever produced by the United States or Europe. Not Grant.
    Wm. Henderson: Any Western man.
    J. L. Yater: Chandler, because he is strong, thinks right and on the popular side.
    C. F. Green: Grant, because the country needs him.
Interviewed at Vernon
    Col. Smith Vawter: John Sherman is my first choice for the reason that he has proven himself to be the most consumate financial statesman since Alexander Hamilton. As it would seem, the American people, politicians and all, are determined to know nothing, talk nothing or think nothing outside of the money question, I would say give us John Sherman for President.
    Dr. J. C. Cope: John Sherman, because Sherman is an honest, earnest man, who would execute the laws without fear or favor. He is blessed with a large share of hard common sense, and acts on his own judgement. No man has a riper experience in public affairs than he, or better understands the workings of the government. He helped to enact all the war legislation, and consequently knows how it should be executed. He has never been compromised in the slightest degree by jobbing schemes. He is a representative Western man.
    S. W. Storey: Sherman, because I believe he would be the most unobjectionable man for the presidency.
    Harmon Dixon: John Sherman. I believe he would be very popular with all classes and is the most available candidate.
Wales W. Campbell: Congkling, but Blaine is my man if I could see any show for him. I favor Conkling because he can carry New York.
    John Carney: James G. Blaine, because his views are sound on the Southern and financial questions, also that he is a staunch Republican.
    Robert Manville: Conkling, because he can carry New York.
    A. S. Almond: Blaine, I like Blaine because he is fit for the place and not easy bulldozed, and is a sound Republican.
    J. S. Wagner: Garfield, because I believe he is the strongest man and can be elected.
    Thomas C. Batchelor: On the ground of availability, all things considered, I prefer Sherman. Financial questions are more likely to enter into and have controlling influences in the next canvass in all the close States like Ohio, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, than any others. Sherman's known ability and his integrity, and more especially his unbounded success in placing of the 1 per cent loan and in the redemption of specie payment, renders him, I think, the most available Republican candidate in these States. Next to him, and personally, I would prefer Conkling, or Garfield. I believe Conkling is sound on finances, and has a courage to meet and check the efforts of the bridiers to convert the U.S.A. into the C.S.A. Grant would not do. He cannot be elected and ought not to be. There is nothing in his eight years of administration that warrants us in saying that the present condition of the country will be improved, a higher standard of official integrity secured, or an improved state of affairs introduced in the South should he be elected President.


From the January 8, 1880 issue of the North Vernon Plain Dealer


   Last week a number of Republicans were interviewed at Vernon in regard to their choice of a presidential candidate, with the following results.
 
   T. C. Batchelor---John Sherman is my choice, because he is a man of ability integrity and great popularity. He would command the strength of the Republican party because he has their confidence.
   W. B. Hagins---Sherman is my first choice, because he is the first financial man of the world. He is an honest man and would administer the affairs of the North and South in a just and fair way.
   L. F. Brougher---Blaine is my choice; think he is the most available man.
   N. Ditlinger---Blain is my first choice, because of his radicalism.
   T. B. Reed---John Sherman; I think he is the strongest and best man for the position.
   R. Leavitt---John Sherman is my choice, because he is one of the best men in America.
   M. B. Rowan---John Sherman is my choice, because he is the strongest man, in my belief, and has the ability to govern the country and stand to the constitution.
   T. Cronan---Blain is my choice, because he is the strongest man, and will make the strongest campaign, in my judgement.
   Jos. N. Hagins---Grant is my first choice, because he will put down anarchy in the South.
   D. Bacon---John Sherman because he is sound on the financial situation.
   Rev. J. C. Burt---Blain is my choice, because of his magnetism and stalwart views.
   S. W. Story---Sherman is my choice; think he is the most available man; like his financial policy.
   A. W. Brown---Blaine is my choice; think he is the most popular man.
   C. H. Kutchback---Sherman is my favorite, because I believe him to be the best and strongest man before the people, and the Democracy cannot best him if nominated.
   T. S. James---John Sherman is my first choice; believe him to be the strongest and best man for the place, and believe to be a favorite among the masses.
   J. A. Hutchings---John Sherman is my choice, for his past financial record and steadfast Republican principles.
   A. G. Cotton---John Sherman is my choice, because I think he is a suitable and popular man for the presidency.
   Rev. J. Q. McKeehan---Blain is my choice, because he is an able statesman and politician, and one who fully understands men and cannot be tricked. His financial views are sound, and I regard him as a true man.
   Daniel Lewis---John Sherman is my choice, because his financial policy is a success, and I regard him as a true and safe man to be trusted with the presidency.
   J. H. Meek---I am for Sherman on account of his true Republican and financial principles.
   T. L. Balser---John Sherman is my choice, on account of his financial and true Republican principles.
   R. D. McCammon---John Sherman is my choice. I like his financial policy and his true Republican principles.
   Dr. N. Richardson---John Sherman is my choice, because he has done more for the financial welfare of our country than any man we have ever had, and besides he is an able statesman.
   P. D. Baughn, Jr.---James G. Blain is my choice on account of his financial views and his being a thorough statesman.
   Jacob Henninger---Hayes is my choice. He has made a good President and should be re-elected.
   S. L. Balser---Hayes is my choice, and should like to see him President for the second term. I like his administration.
   U. Wagner---John Sherman is my choice, because he is right on the financial question and an honest man.
   I. S. Wagner---Garfield is my choice, I regard him as a great statesman and think he could be elected.
   J. H. Wagner---John Sherman is my choice, on account of his true Republican principles and his financial policy.
   W. S. Almond---I am for Blaine, for this reason that he is the ablest statesman and leader in the country.
   W. M. Campbell---Blaine is my choice. He is a sound Republican and an available man.
   John Jordan---Blaine is my choice, because he is a good Republican, and able to uphold the Republican doctrine against everybody and at all times and places.
   H. Dixon---Sherman is my choice. Think he is the strongest man before the people.
   J. H. Hill---My first choice for President in 1880 is John Sherman. Think he can carry New York. His financial policy has proven a success, and I regard him as an able statesman, and a fit man for the place.
   Jacob Fable, Jr.---My first choice is Blaine, because I regard him as an able statesman, and a fit man for the place.
   W. B. Hill---John Sherman is my choice, and think he is the most available man, and can carry the largest number of States.
   Dr. James P. Cope---Sherman is my first choice. He is honest, upright and fearless, and always speaks his covictions without the trimmings that mark the demagogue. He is right on the financial guestion; and is a Western man. He aided in all the war, and financial legislation, and can execute it. Blaine is my second choice. Grant should retire with his present popularity, and not sacrifice it to a vain ambition.
   Colonel Smith Vawter---John C. Fremont. He of all our prominent Generals in 1861 compounded an elixir catholica for the speedy and sure cure of the rebellion. My second choice is John Sherman for one term. The grand position now occupied by General Grant is, I think, a good and sufficient reason for all his true friends to oppose the very thought of his nomination for a third term.
   L. Davis---John Sherman is my choice, because I think he is the most available man the Republicans have.
   E. A. Newby---Blaine is my choice because I feel he is a true friend to every citizen.
   Dr. Will H. Richardson---Sherman because I believe him to be a good man for the place.
                                      Summary:
         Sherman..............................................................25
         Blaine...................................................................13
         Hayes...................................................................2
         Garfield, Fremont, Grant, each.......................1
 
A similar Interviewing in North Vernon developed opinions as follows:

   Martin Rash----Hayes. he should have two terms.
   David Bay---Sherman. I admire the man.
   J. G. Berkshire---Blaine, because he is a stalwart.
   L. H. Hill---Blaine.  He would give us the strongest administration.
   T. O. Johnson---Sherman. He is the best financier in the world.
   J. M. Jones---Sherman. He is the best man.  Blaine next.
   J. W. Cochran---Sherman first, Blaine next.
   J. D. Cone---Sherman. He makes no mistakes.
   Dr. F. M. Batman---Grant.  He will give us a government that will please all citizens, South, North and West.
   A. Shepherd---Blaine, our greatest statesman.
   A. Doll---Sherman, with Blaine for Vice-president.
   Dr. A. D. Light---Sherman; our ablest man.
   A. P. Johnson---Sherman, our greatest statesman.
   Wm. Penniston---Sherman or Fremont.
   P. Conklin---Sherman, our greatest financier.
   G. W. Boyer---Grant. He is great in both civil and military affairs.
   George Davis---Sherman. He is the strongest man.
   A. S. Conner---Grant. We have tried him.
   E. S. Whitcomb---Blaine. I like him. Any Republican.
   John Fable---Blaine. He is leader of men.
   V. C. Meloy---Sherman. He has done more for the Republican party than any other man.
   A. A. Tripp---Sherman. He is sound, naturally, on every question.
   B. E. McClain---Sherman. A great statesman and financier.
   John Scheirling---Serman. I like him.
   P. C. McGannon---Sherman. I admire the man.
   A. H. Prather---Blaine. He is our greatest leader.
   W. G. Norris---Sherman.  He will get the most votes. He carries out successfully everything he undertakes.
   Fred Evans---Blaine.  He is the best man in the business.
   H. Elliott---Sherman; he is sound on the money question.
   E. P. Hicks---Sherman; he is always right.
   C. Suhr---Hayes, I like him.
   C. Gautier---Hayes; the best President since Washington.
   John Rash---Sherman
   H. Tripp---Blaine or Sherman.
   F. W. Bohnen---Grant; he will take the Brigdiers by the throat and hold them where they belong.
   D. Overmyer---Grant; he is our finest citizen.
   M. Stearns---Not Grant anyone else.
   C. Whitmore---Grant.
   J. A. Craig---Sherman will get the most votes.
   J. H. Passmore---Grant he is the most popular.
   W. B. Prather---Blaine; he is the greatest statesman.
   John Overmyer---Blaine; the most able man and a stalwart, and he will not be swindled out of this election.
   Richard Day---Grant; he is a able man.
   F. Little---Blaine, then Sherman.
   Mark Robinson---Blaine, because of his brilliancy.
   James L. Yater---Sherman, because of his financial success.
   S. S. Wilder---Sherman; he has always been right.
   Dr. Ewan---Sherman, the finest financier the world ever produced.
                                                 Summary
        Grant.....................................................................8
        Hayes....................................................................3
        Blaine...................................................................12
        Sherman..............................................................25
        Will not vote for Grant.....................................3

FYI
The following is from Wikipedia on the 1880 Election-
  The United States presidential election of 1880 was largely seen as a referendum on the end of Reconstruction in Southern states carried out by the Republicans. There were no pressing issues of the day save tariffs, with the Republicans supporting higher tariffs and the Democrats supporting lower ones.
  Incumbent President Rutherford B. Hayes did not seek re-election, keeping a promise made during the 1876 campaign. The Republican Party eventually chose another Ohioan, James A. Garfield, as their standard-bearer. The Democratic Party meanwhile chose Civil War General Winfield Scott Hancock as their nominee. Despite capturing fewer than 2,000 more popular votes than Hancock, Garfield was easily elected, capturing 214 of the 369 electoral votes cast. It is to date the smallest popular vote victory in American history.
  While President Hayes did not seek renomination, former President Ulysses S. Grant (1869?1877) openly sought nomination to a third term. He was indeed the front-runner going into the Republican Party convention in Chicago held on June 2-8. Grant's opponents supported a number of other candidates, including James G. Blaine of Maine and Ohio's John Sherman. James A. Garfield, who was representing the Ohio delegation, gave a major speech in support of Sherman, but soon found himself among those receiving delegate votes. On the 36th ballot, Garfield garnered 399 delegate votes, surpassing Grant (who had 306), Blaine (42), and Sherman to win the nomination. After Levi P. Morton backed out of the nomination to avoid a dispute, Chester A. Arthur (a close friend to U.S. Senator Roscoe Conkling) was subsequently chosen as Garfield's running mate by a large margin over Elihu B. Washburne. The convention is noteworthy as it was the first at which delegates cast votes for an African-American, Blanche Bruce. This convention took the most ballots to choose its party's nominee for president than any other Republican convention.
  James Abram Garfield (November 19, 1831 ? September 19, 1881) served as the 20th President of the United States, after completing nine consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Garfield's accomplishments as President included a controversial resurgence of Presidential authority above Senatorial courtesy in executive appointments; energizing U.S. naval power; and purging corruption in the Post Office Department. Garfield made notable diplomatic and judiciary appointments, including a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Garfield appointed several African Americans to prominent federal positions.
  Garfield chose Blaine as his secretary of state. Four months after his inauguration, Garfield was shot and killed by a disgruntled job seeker named Charles Guiteau and his vice president, Chester Arthur, took over.


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