Governor Election Ballot, National Union Republican Ticket

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