The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-12
ASBURY'S POST OFFICE.
A Small Affair, But Re-
publican Spoils'nen
Fight About 1t.
ALL THE BIG GUNS IN IT.
Sewell, Harrison and Wanamaker
Appealed lo-Disruption Threat
ened in Monmouth.
special 10 the Jersev Citv Mers.

AsBURY PARK, Dec. H. 1891 "A good
sized row has developed in the Republic
can party of Neptune Township, which
threatens to disrupt the party, not only in
this community, but throughout the
county of Monmouth. The cause of all
the dissatisfaction is the recommendation
by ex-Sr eaker Sherman b. Ovialt Of John
l.. c, fin for the Office of Postmaster OF
Asbury Park
The Office is the most lucrative in the
county, the salary Of the postmaster be-
ing 50 300 per year. The present incun-
bent is Alfred r Toland, who was APP
pointed by President Cleveland in June.
1887. Mr.. Toland was not confirmed un-
til Congress met, six months later. He
has been an unoffensive partisan, ana
consequently has been permitted to retain
his office until the end of the fonr-year
term. which expires this month.
Immediately after Harrison was elected
President the Young Mems Republican
Club presented the names of half-a-dozen
prominent party workers who would make
available candidates for the Asbury Park
postmastership. Among those mem
toned were George w. Treat, Edward S.
Stafford, John D. heegle and G. G. Har-
rison. EARLY In the spring these patriots
started out with their petitions and se--
cured the signatures Of their influential
friends
COFFIN SCORES POINT.
Soon after entering the race for the
coveted position Beagle Withdrew In
favor Of John l.. Coffip. The ex-editor of
the Asbury Park Journal. the official
organ of Founder james A. Bradley.
Other wouid-like-to-be aspirants with
drew, ana the race narrowed down to
Coffin, Treat and Harrison. Coffin
is one of the Water Commissioners
of the town and has lreld
several imporiHnt public positions
Treat. too. Is II Water Commissioner. a
School Trustee and IL a leading light in
Inc Methodist Church. Years ago he was
Il full-fedged mini ter, but poor health
compelled him to abandon the pulpit. He
is n p eminent member OF the Repuhlt.
can Clnb. aud has always been hard
worker for the party. Harrison is an ex-
President of the Board of Trade. ami has
taken deep interest in the development
Of the town.
This rio las conrted the support Of ex-
Assemhlynan Sherman B.. Oviatt, the
recogu zen Sewell lieu'enan IN this
county. Oviatt has Il pull with the pow
ers-thai-be In this State, and 1t was
WAS equivalent to- an aappOintmepL F,T
II LONG time Ovia't has been non-coplmH-
al, hut his week ne came our fnr C.ftin.
Oviau's ultImatum has precipated the
family row. 1ne I reat men do not relish
he idea OF having their candida
turned down." ami they are working
like beavers to save their friend. Oviatt.
however remains firm and refuses 10 s.
t II to the pleadiugs OF the Domiuie's
champion.
AKID GLOVE sCRIMMAGE.
The followers OF rreaL declare that the
issue has narrowed down to a fight b..
tween the workers and the kid glove ele-
ment of the party. Treat has The sup
port of Assessor Watson, Collector Hub
bard, Frank L. Ten Brock, the president
nf the Republican Club. Il maj jbrity Of the
Boark of Aldermen, and. In fact. nine
tenths of the active workers of the party
in the township His petition con-
tains the names of the most prominent
business men of the town. and it IS
even said that me members If his churt h
ana The Ocean Grove and Asbnry Prk
Bank are working in his behalf. Coffiu,
OH the other hand, is relying almost en-
iirely upon his friend Oviatr to pull him
through The NJ ,nmouth CLUB. Il select
social organ ZaiiOn OF t.ie town, iSquietly
working for him and the First Na-
tionai Bank. of which he Is direc or. is
also incl ned to boom his cauuii.Iacy. Hur
the quiet to secure he plum. He is a
life long friend Of Boss Matt @ lay and
Postm st.r Gen .ral Wtna,ntk.r, aud
lie depends on his Il fiuential friends TO
help him secure The prize.
The action Of Oviatt in endorsing
Coffin. has aroused he ire of the workers
to such an extent that Boss Sewell, ex-
Congi e. sman Joh,. Kean, and even Presi-
deut Harrison and Postmasl ef General
Wnnamaker, have been appealed to-.
The appointment of Il successor to Post
master roland Was fully decided upon,
but a delrg gition of re present. itive Re-
publlcans journeyed TO Elizabeth and
held conference with ex-Congress-
Kean in Treats prhalf. They
prodnced the files of ex-Elitor Cof-'
fin's papers as evidence OF his mug
wump tendencies anu they presented ab Q
arguments in favor OF their choice for Inc
effice. After listening TO The de egailon
kean promised hat no appointments
would be made until the Republican
leaders Of the State had met tog. tnerand
Investigated he clai of both sides.