1805 Republican Convention Prox – Both Gov. Fenner and Lt. Mumford died during the year 1805. Governor Fenner had been in feeble health for some time, and the General Assembly passed a special act in June 1804 authorizing Lt. Gov. Mumford to perform the duties of governor. Although neither were physically fit for their office, both were reelected in April 1805 and after their deaths Henry Smith the first senator officiated as governor. 20.4 cm X 13.6 cm

1881 State Prohibitory Ticket – This prohibitory ticket differed from the Republican party slate only in the choice of candidate for Lieutenant Governor. The Republicans nominated Henry Fay while the prohibitionist nominated Harrison Richardson. 14.4 cm X 9.0 cm

Regular Republican Nominations (with paster) – ca.1880s. Alfred Littlefield served three terms as governor from 1880 to 1883. In 1880 the Prohibition Party, a rebellious faction of the Republican party, caused a split in Republican support for Littlefield and as such he did not receive a majority. This no choice sent the gubernatorial election to the legislature in which Littlefield was elected. By 1881 the Prohibition Party was less prominent and Littlefield defeated his Democratic opponent Horace Kimball by a more the 2 to 1 majority. Note the use of a ballot paster in SSID: 3146078 in which the name of Samuel Colt has been pasted over the name initially printed on the ticket of Willard Sayles for the office of Attorney General. Ballot pasters were used in order to allow voters the option of over-riding any party selected candidate. 15.4 cm X 9.5 cm

Regular Republican Nominations – In the state elections of 1877 Charles Van Zandt was elected governor in the first of his three terms in office; however 1877 proved to be his most competitive race. The Republicans were divided and Governor Lippitt opposed Van Zandt for the Republican nomination. The issue of prohibition divided both parties and many reform Republicans worked for the election of the Democratic candidate Jerothmul Barnaby. The Democrats were also divided into native born Americans who managed the party and the state’s immigrant population who were in the majority. The native born group controlled the party and opposed some reforms especially the extension of suffrage. Its platform favored continuing the license law, extension of suffrage and a ten-hour law for workingmen. Barnaby a wealthy merchant provided the funds to pay the registry tax of his supporters. He was not a reformer but money and division in bitter politics created a large vote for the Democratic candidate. Van Zandt eked out a narrow margin to win election with a majority of only 454 votes. 13.6 cm X 8.4 cm

Regular Republican Nominations – ca.1880s. Alfred Littlefield served three terms as governor from 1880 to 1883. In 1880 the Prohibition Party, a rebellious faction of the Republican party, caused a split in Republican support for Littlefield and as such he did not receive a majority. This no choice sent the gubernatorial election to the legislature in which Littlefield was elected. By 1881 the Prohibition Party was less prominent and Littlefield defeated his Democratic opponent Horace Kimball by a more the 2 to 1 majority. 15.3 cm X 9.0 cm

Reform Ticket – Benjamin Chase, the Democratic candidate for governor, was a businessman with interest in many industries. He first became active in the Democratic Party while a resident of Massachusetts before moving to Rhode Island. In the 1873 race for governor Chase lost to Republican Henry Howard by a large margin but latter ran as a Democrat for mayor of Providence. Howard who had served the previous year as a presidential elector for Grant was elected to his first of two consecutive terms as governor. The Reform ticket replaced Charles Van Zandt, the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, with Latimer Ballou. Ballou was one of the founders of the Republican party in Rhode Island; he had served as an elector for Lincoln in 1860 and would go on to serve three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island (1874 – 1880). The Reform ticket also nominated a different General Treasurer than the Republican ticket. 14.6 cm X 9.0 cm

1806 Real Repbublican Prox – This prox is exactly the same as the one in the image SSID:3146073 except for the type design used in the border. During the 18th and 19th centuries when ballots were printed, the printer would set type to print multiple copies on large single sheets of paper and once printed the ballots were cut into individual tickets. Often the printer did not have sufficient type to make all tickets identical which probably accounts for the slight difference in border of the two tickets. 15.9 cm X 13.1cm

1806 Real Republican Prox - Peleg Arnold had been a member of the General Assembly and a delegate to Congress under the Confederation. He later went on to serve as Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. 15.6 cm X 12.9 cm

Real Republican Prox for 1806 – With the death of Gov. Fenner in 1805 a power struggle developed in the Republican Party. Two candidates were nominated by the Republicans and one for the Federalist. No majority being achieved Issac Wilbour, Lt. Governor-elect, officiated as governor. 20.4 X 12.2 cm

Prohibitory State Ticket – The 1885 state election for governor was won by the Republican candidate George Wetmore a wealthy Newport resident. He defeated Democrat Ziba Slocum and Prohibition candidate George Slade. SSID: 3146092 is an undated Prohibitory Ticket but since Slade also ran in 1886 the date of this ticket could be from either campaign. 14.4 cm X 9.3 cm

Prohibitory Electoral Ticket – In 1884, John St. John, the Prohibitory presidential candidate received less than one thousand votes in Rhode Island. James Blaine carried the state but lost to Democrat Grover Cleveland. 14.4 cm X 9.7 cm

Regular Nominations National Union Republican Ticket (manuscript ‘1876’) – Henry Lippitt served two terms as governor in 1875 and 1876. In both elections a no choice by the electorate caused the decision to revert to the General Assembly. In both years the Prohibition candidate, also a Republican, caused a split in the party’s support thus depriving Lippitt of a majority. During 1876 the people of the state also voted on the question of extending the suffrage to foreign born veterans of the Civil War and on a proposal to repeal the registry tax. Both questions were defeated. 14.4 cm X 7.0 cm

Regular Nominations National Union Republican Ticket – Henry Lippitt served two terms as governor in 1875 and 1876. In both elections a no choice by the electorate caused the decision to revert to the General Assembly. In both years the Prohibition candidate, also a Republican, caused a split in the party’s support thus depriving Lippitt of a majority. During 1876 the people of the state also voted on the question of extending the suffrage to foreign born veterans of the Civil War and on a proposal to repeal the registry tax. Both questions were defeated. 13.9 cm X 9.0 cm

National Union Republican Ticket – Benjamin Chase, the Democratic candidate for governor, was a businessman with interest in many industries. He first became active in the Democratic Party while a resident of Massachusetts before moving to Rhode Island. In the 1873 race for governor Chase lost to Republican Henry Howard by a large margin but latter ran as a Democrat for mayor of Providence. Howard who had served the previous year as a presidential elector for Grant was elected to his first of two consecutive terms as governor. The Reform ticket replaced Charles Van Zandt, the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, with Latimer Ballou. Ballou was one of the founders of the Republican party in Rhode Island; he had served as an elector for Lincoln in 1860 and would go on to serve three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island (1874 – 1880). The Reform ticket also nominated a different General Treasurer than the Republican ticket. 13.7 cm X 8.8 cm

National Union Republican Nominations 1871 – In 1871 Seth Padelford was re-elected to his third term as governor defeating Democrat Thomas Steere of Smithfield. It appears the real contest for this year was for the office of lieutenant governor. At least two tickets, perhaps more, circulated in the Newport area and were introduced solely for the removal of Lt. Governor Pardon Stevens. One, the “Hook and Line” ticket, had the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Charles Cutler instead of incumbent Lt. Gov. Stevens on an otherwise all Republican ticket. The “Fish Prox” replaced Stevens with independent Francis Brinley on the ticket with the other Republican candidates. The Newport Daily News for Wednesday, April 5, 1871 reported “Tickets are printed and circulated bearing the name of Francis Brinley in his stead, and hook and line fishermen are everywhere appealed to for its support” 11.8 cm X 8.3 cm

National Union Republican Ticket – This ticket is undated and since the Republican candidates for all state-wide offices remained the same in the elections of 1869, 1870 and 1871 it is not possible to give the exact year of use. The ticket was successful as all candidates served in office from 1869 to1871. 11.1 cm X 7.0 cm

National Union Nominations – In 1866 Civil War General Ambrose Burnside was first nominated by acclamation at the Republican Convention and elected in April by almost a 3 to 1 margin. He was also elected in 1867 and 1868. Since there is no date on either of these tickets they can be from any of Burnside’s three gubernatorial campaigns. Note the slight difference in the type between the title and list of candidates could indicate these tickets are from different years. 11.7 cm X 8.1 cm

National Union Nominations – In 1866 Civil War General Ambrose Burnside was first nominated by acclamation at the Republican Convention and elected in April by almost a 3 to 1 margin. He was also elected in 1867 and 1868. Since there is no date on either of these tickets they can be from any of Burnside’s three gubernatorial campaigns. Note the slight difference in the type between the title and list of candidates could indicate these tickets are from different years. 11.9 cm X 8.0 cm

McClellan Union Ticket 1864 – In this election the Democratic Party was divided into peace and war factions. The Republicans were also divided with the conservative faction headed by War Democrat Senator William Sprague supporting the re-election of Governor Smith. Pro-Lincoln radicals following the lead of Senator Henry B. Anthony deserted Smith in favor of the abolitionist Amos Barstow. Smith won with only a 132 vote majority. Note the blank for the position of Secretary of State on the McClellan Union ticket. 13.2 cm X 7.1 cm

Independent Republican Nominations – In the 1875 state-wide elections Charles Cutler headed the Democratic Party’s ticket. Cutler was a prominent citizen of Warren, RI and was in the textile manufacturing business there. While he was the unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate for governor in both 1875 and 1883 he had served on the Warren town council as its president and been Rhode Island Lt. Governor in 1872. “In 1870 he was candidate for Lt. Governor in opposition to Pardon W. Stevens of Newport …They fought a battle on the question of the abolition of trap fishing in the mouth of bay… The democratic ticket was primarily spoken of as the ‘hook and line ticket’ and the ‘scup ticket’. It was defeated, but Mr. Cutler occupied the same position on the Democratic ticket next year with Thomas Steere. The canvass was made on the fishing question that threw election of Lt. Governor into the Legislature which chose the Republican.” Cutler came in a distant third in the gubernatorial race trailing Rowland Hazard the top vote getter and Henry Lippitt a close second. Since there was no majority in this race the decision went to the General Assembly and Lippitt was chosen governor. 13.6 cm X 9.0 cm

Hook & Line Ticket – In 1871 Seth Padelford was re-elected to his third term as governor defeating Democrat Thomas Steere of Smithfield. It appears the real contest for this year was for the office of lieutenant governor. At least two tickets, perhaps more, circulated in the Newport area and were introduced solely for the removal of Lt. Governor Pardon Stevens. One, the “Hook and Line” ticket, had the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Charles Cutler instead of incumbent Lt. Gov. Stevens on an otherwise all Republican ticket. The “Fish Prox” replaced Stevens with independent Francis Brinley on the ticket with the other Republican candidates. The Newport Daily News for Wednesday, April 5, 1871 reported “Tickets are printed and circulated bearing the name of Francis Brinley in his stead, and hook and line fishermen are everywhere appealed to for its support” 11.9 cm X 7.2 cm

Free Democratic Ticket – The Free Soil party nominated Edward Harris once again to head its ticket. Harris had run for governor as the Free Soil candidate in 1849, 1850 and 1851. As is the case with most third party candidates the ticket lost but did collect 533 votes. Note the slogan at the top of the ticket “Free Soil – Free Speech – Free Labor -Free Men” 13.0 cm X 7.5 cm

Fish Prox – In 1871 Seth Padelford was re-elected to his third term as governor defeating Democrat Thomas Steere of Smithfield. It appears the real contest for this year was for the office of lieutenant governor. At least two tickets, perhaps more, circulated in the Newport area and were introduced solely for the removal of Lt. Governor Pardon Stevens. One, the “Hook and Line” ticket, had the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Charles Cutler instead of incumbent Lt. Gov. Stevens on an otherwise all Republican ticket. The “Fish Prox” replaced Stevens with independent Francis Brinley on the ticket with the other Republican candidates. The Newport Daily News for Wednesday, April 5, 1871 reported “Tickets are printed and circulated bearing the name of Francis Brinley in his stead, and hook and line fishermen are everywhere appealed to for its support” 14.2 cm X 8.1 cm

Equal Rights Ticket 1887 – In his third run for the governor’s office George Wetmore was defeated by John Davis. Charles Brayton the Rhode Island political boss created dissention between the Prohibitionist and the Republicans. Many temperance minded Republicans switched parties in 1887 and elected “Honest John” Davis governor. Davis was the first Democratic governor since pre-Civil War days. 14.1 cm X 9.0 cm

Equal Rights Ticket 1883 – This election was very competitive and colorful because of the popular political methods used and the record of the Democratic candidate William Sprague. Sprague had served three terms as governor in the early 1860s and later was elected U.S. Senator (1863 – 1873). The failure of his A&W Sprague Co. in 1873 removed him from politics for ten years. His party was divided which may have cost him the election. Republican Augustus Bourn was elected after a very lively and bitter campaign. 14.2 cm X 8.0 cm

Democratic–Independent Ticket 1887 – In his third run for the governor’s office George Wetmore was defeated by John Davis. Charles Brayton the Rhode Island political boss created dissention between the Prohibitionist and the Republicans. Many temperance minded Republicans switched parties in 1887 and elected “Honest John” Davis governor. Davis was the first Democratic governor since pre-Civil War days. 13.8 cm X 8.5 cm

Democratic Ticket – In the state elections of 1877 Charles Van Zandt was elected governor in the first of his three terms in office; however 1877 proved to be his most competitive race. The Republicans were divided and Governor Lippitt opposed Van Zandt for the Republican nomination. The issue of prohibition divided both parties and many reform Republicans worked for the election of the Democratic candidate Jerothmul Barnaby. The Democrats were also divided into native born Americans who managed the party and the state’s immigrant population who were in the majority. The native born group controlled the party and opposed some reforms especially the extension of suffrage. Its platform favored continuing the license law, extension of suffrage and a ten-hour law for workingmen. Barnaby a wealthy merchant provided the funds to pay the registry tax of his supporters. He was not a reformer but money and division in bitter politics created a large vote for the Democratic candidate. Van Zandt eked out a narrow margin to win election with a majority of only 454 votes. 14.1 cm X 9.0 cm

Democratic Convention Nominations – In 1861 the Republicans made a great effort to defeat the coalition Union ticket headed by William Sprague by nominating James Y. Smith of Providence. Smith had served as Providence’s mayor from 1855 to 1857. The Union coalition candidates were elected by majorities ranging from 1,506 to 1,661 votes. In 1862 the Republicans did not field a ticket and Sprague was unopposed in his election to a third term. 13.1 X 7.5 cm

Democratic Ticket – The American Republicans and the straight Republicans held separate conventions but finally ran a coalition ticket which was elected with little opposition. The Democrats initially nominated Alexander Duncan, a wealthy landholder, but he declined and Elsiha Potter was nominated. Dyer defeated Potter by more than a 2 to 1 margin. 11.7 cm X 7.2 cm

Democratic Ticket – In 1857 the Republicans and American Parties united on a state ticket headed by Gov. Hoppin with the exception of the candidate for lieutenant governor. Hoppin declined re-nomination and Elisha Dyer took his place. The Republicans nominated Thomas Turner for lieutenant governor and the Americans selected Stephan Mason. The Democrats again nominated Americus Potter. Dyer was elected governor but there was no choice for lieutenant governor; however Turner was selected to office by the General Assembly. 12.1 cm X 7.1 cm