Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-14
JERSEY POLITICS
AS SEEN BY A RICHMOND MAN At
ATLANTIC CITY.
Republican Corruption Methods Shown
Up from y Municipal Fight
Fine Fishing, Etc.
correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatcn.l

Correspondence OF tho Richmond Dispstch.l
ATLANTIC CIrY, n. j., September IL. 1890.
Municipal politics here are in stir, and
thereby hangs tale--in fact, thereby
hangs several tales. At first blush it would
appear that the situation is fraught with
but little interest outside the Island" as
the natives call Atlantic City, but when we
look deeper it is found that the result OF
the present excitement NAV be far reach
ing. South Jersey is Republican, and At
lantic City is, in certain measure, q
pivotal point in the politics Of this section.
IL you ask the average resident you meet
what he thinks of the force bill, the tarln
question, Speaker Reeds high handed pro-
ceedings in the transformation of Con-
gress into hog. wallov, he will tell you
that he takes no interest IN those matters,
yet touch him on municipal politics: and
he will not only talk glibly but show,
whether he be Republican or Democrat.
that the city row will have an effect on the
November electlons-the elections for GER
tain county officers and the congressman
from this district.
CAUSE OF THE STIR.
And what is the cause Of the stir? Re-
publican corruption with a big "C" and
many ramifcations. The Mayor is Re-
publican, and as he was very popular man
had no opposition at the last election ana
received large number of Democratic
votes. However, 1t seems that he has
stood square in with the Republican ring
in the Council ahd been the object Of SO
much criticism that few nights ago an
effort was made to whitewash him by ten
dering him what in Jersey psrlance is
termed q vindIcation" banquet. Well
il was vindication" that most de-
cidedly did not vindicate." Upon the
authority of the Union. the Democratic
paper here, and of the Philadelphia Ere
ming Bulletin. which the readers OF the DIS
patch know to be rabid Republican paper,
it may be stated that the "vindicatlon
was the most monumental fiZZle" of the
day. Telegraphic regrets were as thick as
leaves in Valambrosa. The Bulletin gives
list of the prominent ringsters present and
appends TO each name record that would
appear 10 indicate that Atlantic City has
been carpet-bagged and scallawagged IN
the most approved style. Certainly II the
Bulletins charges be true the palmest days
of reconstruction in the South never de-
veloped more Republican corruption.
Inquire of a Democrat if these charges
are true and be will tell You they are and
that the power of the Republicans OF Thu,
whole section Is due 10 the influence OF
that iron octopus the Pennsylvania rail-
road. Ask the honest Republican If they
are true and he will reply that the Bulletin
is inspired by q prominent Philadelphia
lawyer. whose son. IN company with another
Philadelphia youngster. attempted 70 paint
Atlantic City red and was cooled on In tho
statlon-house. However, he will not fail
TO admit frankly that the shaking up has
shown q condition of affairs that sadly need
remedy and leave upon You the impress
sion that there is decided spirit of unrest
among the people, "a well "a an increased
tendency on their part to think tor them
selves.
TIE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
BY the grace of the last gerrymander
this congressional district 10 strongly Re
publican, but the leaven of unrest IS said
TO be working throughout 1t. The most
sangnine Democrats | have met do not eX-
pect to carry the district in November, but
are confident of reducing greatly the Re-
publican majority for congressman and OF
filling many county offices hitherto held by
Republicans. The new State election law,
which is a modification Of the Australian
system, goes into effect at the next cleo
ton, and it is claimed il viii accomplish @
vast deal in the way of preventing Repub-
lcan bribery and intimidation, which here
tofore have been on par with the Rhode
Island Republican methods, which met
with such scathing rebuke and relentless
expose from the Providence journal.
THE NEGRO.
The negro also constitutes leaven that
is working tho popular mass to the advan-
tage Of the Democratic party. Sambo IS
by no means favOrte here except about
election times Then it is the same old
story. The relations of the white Republi-
can politician 10 the negro are the same as
they are everywhere else. From being
made to keep his place he rises to q high
and mighty position, only to be flung back
into his place when the sun goes down on
the night of election. In this city
there are about three hundred negro
voters. Basing my calculation upon tho
vote of the city in the last gubernatorial
election, | find that If the man and
brother" were eliminated from the pro-
blem the Democrats would have only about
$50 majority to overcome. This negro
power is as CALLING TO certain class OF Re
publicaus as it is to the Democrats, for the
reason that personal popularity, irrespec-
tive of party utilization, goes great way
with that class in the matter of electlng
city officers, and their efforts TO get honest
ana intelligent city officials are defeated
by the negro vote.
To sum up. the people Of this section are
getting tired of Republican corruption,
the power of the railroad influence, and
tho negro, Ind the situation forebodes If
not an immediate change change IN the
near future.
As far as my observation goes the average
Jerseyman of education IS disposed to
take liberal view of southern matters be
no ever so strong Republican, and -
DESTROYS TO hear the southern side of all
questions. PROFESSIONALLY South Jersey
Is turning her face to the morning.
TIE SEASON CLOSING.
The season here is rapidly drawing to q
close, but like the mountains of Virginia
Atlantic City presents some of its greatest
attractions in September. The tempera-
ture is delightful and so is the bathing,
while the fishing is exceptionally fine.
The principal fish caught now are blue
fish. black bass. and weak fish. One of
our Richmond young ladies' who has be-
come quite good sailor since her arrival
here recently landed round dozen large
weak fish in one hour and brought them
in triumph to the Virginia headquarters.