The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-03-26
A VERY LIVELY MEETING.
The Trouble Was All Over Har-
rison and Kearney Con-
solidation.
A Request That he Resign as Town
Treasurer Withdrawn After
Due Explanation.


Hall, which Congressman Edward +.
Mcdonald had hired for the purpose of
explaining to his townsmen his course in
the movement to consolidate the towns
of Harrison and Kearney. Mr.. Mcdonald
was blamed for defeating the measure
and had been publicly assailed by num-
ber of Harrison citizens TO such an ex-
tent that the people were in rather an
angry mood.
Last night the meeting took place. The
hall was crowded to its utmost capacity,
while the stairs were jammed, ana out
side fully 5000 people were gathered un-
able TO gain an entrance.
THE PEOPLE INcENsED.
The excitement was at fever heat. That
the people were incensed was evident.
About eight o'clock Congressman Nc
Donald elbowed his way through the
crowd and mounted the platform. As he
faced his audience the stiffness was as of
death. Suddenly Alderman Bruder stood
up in the centre of the hall aud yelled
Out
..Will anyone be permitted to reply to
your statementsr'
Nj. Mcdonald turned with indignation
Yes, even If it is cur"
This reply gwen as only the Congress
man can ITO IL. set the crowd in an uDroar,
and was only stopIei when voice cried
out,
"wno's going to presidep"
"A reputable ciiizen," replied Mr.. Nc
Donald
THE CHAIRMAN CHOSEN.
Daniel Maher, who was chairman of the
committee who went TO Trenton to urge
faff aef frer ao1t n of nav
ny and Harrison, was chosen chairman.
This selection Mr.. Mcdonald thought un-
fair, and he retoIted:-
81 do not care "A fig who presides, but as
l have paid for the hall think it is unfair
TO place one of my assailahts in the
chair"
Again the crowd broke out in an uproar,
which was stopped when Maher stepped
forward and said;-
1T is only right and proper that Mr..
Mcdonald should be respectfully heard"
NJ DONALD S SIDE OF THE ISSUE.
The luiuulL ceased and Mcdonald said;
THE calling OF this meetiDg Is an un-
usual occurrences, and l regret that my
assailants made it necessary" He then
said that he had always been true TO the
interests of the people of Harrison and
kearnev.
ALWAYS FAVORED CONSOLIDATION
Continuing, he said:-"rhe questions
that lead up to this meeting are not po-
llliCtls@ OAAlcCA 9Gdko d4O III AuC <1SDSAh-
bly, endeavored to bring about the con-
spiidation of these towns. l have always
favored their union, and will continue so
il my assailants DO not interfere with
me-"
He waxed eloquent at this point, giving
a graphic word picture of the benefits TO
be attained by consolidation, his audi
ence listening in silence.
"Haxrison and Kearney represented in
the State Senate, and l was always
pleased to confer with my fellow citizens
in matters of public Importance, but l
was surprised when l was not consulted
on the drafting OF the recent bill to unite
our two Towns When committee of
Harrison men brought it TO me in Tren-
ton was the first intimation / had of it.
a nose men are here now, and they musE
remember that told them then | always
favored the idea of consolidation. /
promised to examine the bill and sat up
all night at the self imposed task. The
committee expressed the utmost conf
dence in my judgment. aud authorized
me TO strike out any matter l deemed OBJ
jectfonable."
Mr.. Mcdonald described in detail the
bill, and said thar IN its original form it
was unconstitutional, and Governor Abb
be.t later supported als decision.
ED. MDoNALD ALL RIGHT.
"The delegates" he added, knew In
their hearts all the time that Ed. Melon
aid was right" The sentiment was up
rosriousiy applauded, and the speaker
smiled. When the applause ceased he
continued
"Ihese same men also consulted with
Mr.. Young, the surveyor OF Harrison aud
kearney, and be agreed with me that the
consolidation bill was not constitutional
and could not go through. When the
Strengthening OF the line was first Dro-
posed, asked Mr.. Young TO prepare
map and he promised TO do so. was told
by the delegation that the map would be
placed in my hands the following Sun
day The map never came, aud the first
time l ever saw it was at the Market
st-eet depot, when it was in the hands of
:, senator or neighboring county. That
Senator had it rolled up and was using 1t
IA = cane.
''On my way to Trenton that day met
MI. Bruder, who told me he was opposed
10 -tralghtening the line between Harrison
and kesrney. and added thnt Cover
nor ALBEIT told him the consolidation
Measure was unconstitutional at once
replied that l had long before decided
that way.
Il was also charged with being lax in
my Interest in the bill because dia not
go f1yiag around the State House like the
ratified members Of this delegation
Laughter and Jeers greeted this shot at
the Harrison committee. Mcdonald
pitched his voice away above the noise,
aud continued:-"No man nor delegation
carried that kill through. IL was your
Senator's name alone that passed II. +"
1.-The dav following its .assage your
Common Council passed a resolution of
thanks 10 barrett, and l have been in
formed that Senator Barrett had not used
his influence for the measure
ALDERMAN RICE INTERRUPTS.
Alderman Rice, who was standing
against the wall roared ''nnd / say So
again tonight about Senator Barrett's ex-
cellent work"
Another wild scene ensued, bat Con
gresham McDonall's powerful lungs
made him heard above the uproar. and he
continued in explanation Of the efforts TO
have good bills and TO stratghten the zig
sag line that divides the two towns.
HAD HIS EYE on 'EM.
Il attended the Senate proceedings
every day, although l WAS not member,
but went there 10 keep my eyes on The
interests Of Hudson county.
II was told mt Senator Barrett, who Is
NO Harrison's IOWA lawyer, had intro