Governor Election Ballot, Citizens' Ticket

Citizens’ 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. 14.8 cm X 9.2 cm