The sun., 1879-01-30
TRYING TO GEI IN
The Eighth District Republicans Conte.tinr
john J. O'Brien's Right to Control.


Mr.. John J. O'Brieh has had control Of the
Republican organization in the Eighth Assem-
bly, District II this city since 1871. The Repub-
lican party in that district is largely composed
Of electors who call Germany their Fatherand
Before Mr.. O'Bricn took charge Of tho district
many OF them belonged to the district associa-
tion and took nm active part In ts doings. Mr..
O'Bricn. who is an advocate Of the close corpo-
ration method Of managing a party that is 80
distinguishing q characteristic Of Tammany
politics. became annoyed by tho Germans pro-
pensity to speak in meetings and by their zeal
for honesty at primary AMI other elections. lie
therefore took measures OF divers sorts to
destroy their influence. The Germans did what
they could TO oppose him. But machine
politics trumphed. and Mr.. O'Brien became
the recognized leader in the district. But al
though beaten in the association. the German
Republicans continued their war against Mr..
OBrien in the district. In 1873 they ran Jacob
Messer for the Assembly with view OF showing
their strength to the party leaders in the county
by defeating George Scherman. the regular
Republican candidate. This bolt did elect
Martin Nachtmnn the Tammany nominee. but
repeating and false counting gave the certificate
10 Mr.. Scherman. In 1874 they allied them
selves with several Republicans who under the
lead Of Michael Neville. had quarrellnd with
Mr.. OBren. and defeated the Republican can
didate 10y running Albert Etrich as an Inde-
pendent Republican. In that wear the Germans
connected themselves with the German Rspub-
lcnn organization OF the county
In 1875 they made truce with Mr. O'Bricn.
and 400 OF them were admitted to the Rcuuhli-
can District Association. They voted a the
primary election in that year and IN 1876. aud
in each OF those years were recognized in the
selection Of officers of;h association. They
still Kept up their connection with the German
Republican organization. At the primary held
IN 1877 for the elecion Of officers Of the District
Association # the German organization Mr.
O'Brien's friends took possession of tho room
and tho polling boxes, and elected Germans
who were willing 70 play second fiddle g. the
regular Republican District Association This
resulted in the nomination of an independent
candidate for the Assembly in the fall election
and tho election OF the Tammany nomine
The same and was effected in the same manner
at the election in November last.
After this election the German Republicans.
reinforced by many members Of the Republican
District Association who are opposed TO the
rule OF Mr. O'Brien. determined to make an
effort TO carry the primary held on the 10th Of
December last for the election Of officers for the
association. md delegates 70 the Central Com
mittee Of 1879. They were members Of the
association. not one having received any notice
Of expulsion. and as such were entitled to vote,
The primary was held IN the rooms o. the
association who were known 10 be supporters
OF Mr.. o Brien were provided with postal cards
their fnce with Tho seal 81 he F"urtb Bistrict
Court OF which Robert G. McCord. Mr.. O'Brien's
candidate Tor President OF the ASSOCIATION. ls a
clerk Those who had those cards. although
many did not belong to the association and
some were Democrats. were permitted 20 vote.
Notwithstanding this trick. and despite all tho
means used 10 prevent Mr.. O'Irien's opponents
from voting many tickets headed by George I.
Gmnder were polled. The inspectors who
counted the ballots returned $50 for Mr..
O'Brien's total. and 5 for Mr. Gminder's.
At the meeting OF the Republican Central
Committee last week. Mr.. Gminder presented
the demand oi his delegates for the seats which.
by tho inspectors returns. were given 10 Mr.
O Brien's delegation. Their appeal for recog-
milton alleges that the roll book of the District
Association was not posted in their rooms ten
days prior 10 the primary; that NJ the primary
persons entitled to vote were prevented from
exercising that right. and mems votes were
ceiyed who are not members OF the association; I;
and that repeating was practsed. II also
charges that the District Association has be-
come SO demoralized under Mr. O'Brion's man
agement that II cannot work effectively with the
party in the county.
At a largely attended meeting Of tho op-
ponents Of Mr.. O'Brien last evening in l0S Al
len street aifidaylts were prepared in support
OF the allegations made In the appeal 10 the
Central Committee. Petitions were being signed
by Republican electors In the district, who do
not belong to the District Association. asking
the Central Committee to give the seats claimed
by Mr.. O'Brens delegates TO Mr.. Gminders
delegation.
The contestants case is to be examined next
week by Pierre {. Van Wick. William II. Ged-
ney. Charles =. Strong. Henry C. Perley and
Robert c. Brown, the Committee appointed by
the Central Committee 10 hear the claims OF all
the persons who are contesting delegates seats
In fhnfh hTHu