From the November 9, 1932 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

The first presidential election reported in the columns of the Vineyard Gazette was that of 1848, two years after the founding of the Gazette by Edgar Marchant. The election took place on Tuesday. On Friday the Gazette printed the result in Dukes County, which was as follows, the figures being those for Taylor, Cass and Van Buren in that order: Edgartown 157, 46, 35; Tisbury 99, 38, 42; Chilmark 34, 49, 4; total 290, 133, 81. Dukes County therefore went Whig by a majority of 76.

Besides the fact that there were only three towns in the county, it is also striking that Edgartown was the dominant voice. General Zachary Taylor was, of course, elected, but the Vineyard did not know that until later. The Gazette was not able to announce the winner until the following Friday when more complete returns had been received.

The Gazette displayed little interest in the election four years later. Two brief paragraphs disposed of the matter.

In 1856 Edgartown gave Fremont, Republican, 197, Buchanan, Democrat, 65, Fillmore, American, 8, Tisbury gave Fremont 85, Buchanan, 51, and Fillmore 109, and Chilmark gave Fremont 35, Buchanan 45 and Fillmore 5. The marked split in political taste between Edgartown and Tisbury is worthy of comment in these days when the Island shows a solid Republican front.

Lincoln, Republican, won a large majority of Vineyard votes in the election of 1860. Election notes stated “The New York Herald announces that Lincoln is elected President of the United States.” The fair vied with the election in order of importance and fair awards rated two columns to the election’s one.

“Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson elected” triumphs the Gazette in 1864, adding, “New England has thrown an overwhelming vote for Abraham Lincoln, and the returns from the other states show a large majority against an armistice with the rebellion, and for a strong support of administration.”

The next issue chronicled in a column and a half article, “The Union Republicans of Tisbury Awake. Immense Procession. Presidential Salute. Illumination of Public Buildings.”

With the return of Edgar Marchant, the “old editor,” to the helm of the Gazette, and the continued victory of the Republicans, election news dwindled again in importance to that dauntless Democrat. He conceded the reelection of Grant in 1872 without enthusiasm, adding “Now ‘Let Us Have Peace.’” The Island voters gave Grant and Wilson 249 in Edgartown, 226 in Tisbury, 51 in Chilmark and 14 in Gosnold, that town’s first appearance in the electoral lists. No returns were received from Gay Head, incorporated since the last election, since the clerk inadvertently left the record of the vote at home when the clerks of the several towns met to record the vote.

In 1876, the “old editor” got his chance to blazon what was first believed to be a Democratic victory, having received the latest returns by telegraph. “Hayes concedes the election to Tilden, but Grant is still confident of Hayes’ election.”

“Blow Ye the Trympet,” cried Edgar Marchant. “The Eagle Soars Over a Land Redeemed from Corruption and Misrule. Grantism Defunct. Samuel J. Tilden elected President. A Reign of Beneficence, Equality and Justice Assured.” The columns of the Gazette were adorned with American eagles and the Stars and Stripes.

It was not for weeks that this disputed election was decided in favor of Hayes.

“The election in Dukes County passed off very quietly in all the towns,” was the Gazette’s verdict in 1880.

Chilmark’s was the largest vote and the largest Republican majority ever cast in that town. It is noteworthy that in all the early elections recorded in the Gazette, Chilmark displays the greatest catholicity of taste in voting as compared with Edgartown and Vineyard Haven which voted consistently for the Republicans or their fore-runners. The story goes that Chilmark had been known for years as a Democratic town, but that when the price of wool - the most lively interest to that sheep-raising town - fell to new lows on one occasion, the blame was laid on the Democrats and Chilmark swore allegiance to the rival party.

Gay Head was the banner town in the county and possibly in the state, in 1904, casting 35 Republican votes and no Democratic votes, In what the Gazette called the greatest landslide in political history throughout the country, the Vineyard voted as follows: Edgartown, Roosevelt, 188, Parker 33; Cottage City, 117, 25; Tisbury, 149, 25; West Tisbury 70, 18; Chilmark, 31, 11; Gay Head 35, 0; Gosnold, 13, 2. About 750 voters went to the polls.

“Island Happy,” was the election headline in 1920, appearing over a cut of the enigmatic face of Calvin Coolidge, elected vice president on the ticket with Harding. In this, the first year of woman suffrage, Mrs. Henry H. Jernegan was the first Edgartown woman ever to cast a vote for the president of the United States.

Compiled by Hilary Wall
library@mvgazette.com