Former acting Governor Thomas Talbot, a Republican, defeated Benjamin Butler, who ran as an independent Greenback candidate with Democratic support.

In his last election to Congress in 1876, Butler won despite opposition within his local party, which nominated Ebenezer R. Hoar as a breakaway candidate.

[2] As Butler's campaign progressed, he positioned himself as an independent candidate pledged to reform, running on a personal ticket of one rather than as the member of any party.

[4] Many anti-Butler delegates, including William Gaston, Reuben Noble, and Charles Perkins Thompson, who had defeated Butler in the 1874 House race, pledged to bolt the party in the event of his nomination.

[4] At around 5 A.M. on September 17, Butler delegates arrived at Mechanics' Hall in large numbers and began to conduct business with David Powers of Springfield presiding.

Party Chairman Edward Avery attempted in vain to make a statement on behalf of the State Committee, but was drowned out by the crowd.

[5] Notwithstanding Avery's adjournment, the delegates proceeded, opening the galleries to an excited crowd and electing McCafferty temporary chairman.

[8] By September 14, with Democrats divided by the Butler boom and Talbot taking a widely acknowledged lead, Republicans focused on reconciling the two factions by promising Long a spot on the ticket.

[8] The platform endorsed a resumption of specie payments, restructuring of national debt at reduced interest, civil service reform, and the Hayes administration.

During the general election campaign, U.S. Representative and future President James A. Garfield of Ohio made a speech on Talbot's behalf at Faneuil Hall.