The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-21
This paper is Democratic IN principles
and is Independent in dts vieaos upon all
local questions.
General Fisk,s rrue POSITION.

OeuGEal FISK AFuS Il OSlJlOH
We nearly always disagree with
General Clinton B. Fisk, as most
people do; but we always respect him,
as, again, most people do. We always
like to read his sayings too. They are
vigorous and pointed. They come
from a sound heart and a clear head.
General Fisk has been a very inter
esting figure in State politics for some
months past, -algebraically speaking
a kind of unknown quantity. 1t was
certain that he had changed his
policy, that he would fight on new
lines in the next election.
But what were to be his new tactics9
What line of aggression would he pur-
sue against the "demon of drink ?"
Nobody knew. One OF two periodi-
Gals through the State tried to find
out by writing letters to the General.
But the General is a busy man. He
has not much time for letter writing,
and the answer which he sent rather
intensified the uncertainty as to what
his intentions were.
Would he run for the Governorship
on the Republican ticket Z?
Would he try to swing the Prohi-
bition cohort into the Republican
phalanx?
Well, today THE JERSEY City
NEWS is in a position to set these
questions at rest. One of our report
ers has, by instructions, held an inter
view with General Fisk, in which that
gentleman has, with customary and
characteristic straightforwardness, de-
fined his position and explained his
intentions. We are happy to be the
first paper in the State to lay this i'm
portant information before the pub
lie.
And what does the General say?
First, He will not be a candidate.
In fact, he never would have been a
candidate on any ticket which had the
least chance of winning. He is not
an Office seeker.
Second. He was, is, and always will
be a republican-likewise a prohibit
ZIONIST.
Third. He will support candidates
for the Senate or Assembly, whether
republicans or democrats, who will
pledge themselves to the re-enactment
of the High License County Option
law, which was repealed by the late
Legislature through the Werts bill.
Postponing a discussion of the
morality, good sense, and good judg-
ment of this platform to another time,
we will only say a word now as to the
probable effect of the Generals course,
promising that in our own opinion his
views will guide a very large section
though not the entire Prohibition
vote.
1t appears that the General desires,
so far as possible to influence his fol-
lowing exclusively upon the Legisla-
tive nominations. But can he limit
the effect of his campaign in that way.
We have no doubt he honestly means
that he will support candidates of
either party who favor county option.
But it is incredible that any democrat
will be found advocating that most
unjust and impolitic form of local
tyranny. The Generals influence will,
therefore, be thrown in all quarters in
favor of the Republican legislative
nominees.
But as q practical matter of fact, a
very strong inclination to vote for any
single candidate upon a ticket gener-
ally draws the voter to the support of
every candidate upon that side, and it
will probably be safe to assume that
nearly every vote General Fish gives
to a Republican candidate for the
Legislature viii be cast, likewise, for
the Republican nominee for Governor.
This is a serious matter. 1t behooves
the Democracy to face the situation
right now and provide against a