The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-04-05

t4E oftS Jill 10 Ant0tfC0 III
the present election, for the Republi-
Gao party will take advantage OF
every local victory to claim that the
people have reversed their verdict of
last November. Vote the straight
Democratic ticket
Charles w Alien and Dominicus
Wegman-
Mr.. Dominicus Wegman is very
nice man. we believe. and a prosper
Gus New York merchant. He is a
solid enough citizen, and a very pleas
ant gentleman
But it is fair to ask whether he has
any qualification whatever for the
Office for which lie is nominated.
The Alderman-at-Large of this city
has two sets of functions, each of
which calls for special aptitude in the
person of the incumbent. As pre-
siding officer of the Board of Alder
men, the holder Of the Office must pos
sess unusual personal dignity. and a
very clear, acute mind. in order to
serve efficiently. AS member of the
Board of Finance, he ought to have
familiarity with municipal affairs and
financial skill OF no mean order.
It cannot be said with any degree
of truth that Mr. Wegman is likely to
meet the requirements in either res
pect. His warmest advocate will
hardly claim that he is adapted to be
a dignifed, commanding and clear
headed presiding officer. 1t is no re-
proach to him whatever. 1t is simply
not in his line. 1t would be as unrea-
sonable to expect him to be first
rate parliamentarian as it would be to
! look for a good commander Of regi-
ment or o first-rate navigator in him.
Coming down to the other
branch of the duties of
Alderman at Large, Mr.. Wegman
appears hardly stronger. He is, of
course, good business man; but that
is q very different matter from being
a first rate financier He has neither
experience nor special knowledge in
this line, nor has he any sort of fam
iIiarity with the affairs of this city.
Indeed his whole business career,
affiliations and ideas are essentially
connected with New York. In an
operation like the debt refunding,
just contaminated so happily, he
would not have figured as factor.
In contrast with Mr. Wegman as he
is, let us look at Mr.. Charles w. Allen
as he has proved himself to be in two
years Of public service.
Mr.. Allen has been a dignified pre-
siding officer The tone of the Board
Of Aldermen has improved remarkably
under his presidency. The old, I'M
seemly scenes have ceased to occur,
and business proceeds with order and
good temper As member OF the
Board of Finance Mr. Allen has been
most energetic and most success
full. He has served as Chair
man of the Finance Com
mittee with particular advantage to
the city. His intimate knowledge of
finance and banking matters have
here come to his aid, and his persever-
ing zeal and energy have been no less
than his skill. ItInay be claimed that
hegreat refunding operation last week
was the first bond sale that this city
over effected on anything like fair
terms, and this result, it may be trnth-
fully said, is nine-tenths due to the
work OF Mr. Allen.
It seems TO US this comparison of
the two men ought to leave no room
for hesitation on the part of voters.
IL politics are to rule this election,
there can be no doubt but every
Democrat should vote the straight
Democratic ticket, and in that case
the result cannot be doubted. Mr..
Allen viii be elected by fifteen hum
dfed majority. On the other hand, If
politics are not to rule, if the election
is to turn on the personal fitness of
the two men for the position
to be filed, there is no room
Tor hesitation on the part
Of any reasonable man. The city has
during the coming year or eighteen
months to perfect a series OF bond
operations similar to that just ar
ranged. AssuredIy the services
* 81 4 * ~ ms