The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-03-20
BAYONNE'S DISGRACE.
A Great United Effort Will be Made
to Defeat the Ring.

The exposure in yesterdays issue Of
THE JERSEY CITY NEWS Of the disgraceful
jobbery of the ring" which at present
controls the city government Of Bayonne,
was the sole topic Of conversation in the
clubs ana other places of rendezvous in
that city last night. The ''ringsters"
are as mad as hares. for they see now that
the people are decided In their opposition
to the methods which have prevailed
during the two terms OF Office Of Mayor
Newman. This opposition is general nd
Is led and participated in by both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans.
The clique which controlled the city
prior to 1889 were under the same infiu-
ence as the present King" Newman
was president or chairman OF the Council
for a number of years, and II was a known
fact that things were not managed then
in an honest and economical manner.
James Rollston was in the Council during
those wears and fought the clique tooth
and nail. and he was ably seconded by
William G. Farr when member of the
Council He fought them to a standstill,
and had got the upper hand Of them when
he was deserted by Councilman Oliver.
THE CITY BANKRUPT.
divers compensation was themayoralty
but he soon sickened of the ''clique" and
the exposure of the defalcation OF Treas
urer +. |. Smith, by which the city lost
$50. 600. followed. This loss and other
conditions placed the city in a bankrupt
condition and 1t was necessary to
issue bonds for its salvation. Here
the Clique" thought they could
get the upper hand again. The
members had bough { all the bonds from
time to time, but refused when Oliver
issued them to save the city. For a while
things looked rather blue, but Jonn Lam b
OF jersey City, came to the rescue, and
Oliver himself invested money, thus saw
ing the town from bankruptcy.
Things were managed economically
from that time forward during his term,
and when in 1887 Mayor Newman took
hold of the reins Of government. the city
was on a sound financial basis. The rate
of taxation was not exorbitant, but just,
and the citizens were satisfied.
THE "RING" GETS HOLD.
aiShortly after Newman's election the
''ring' began to again get the inside track.
City Engineer Smith and City Attorney
Fuller soon made their appearance, and
from behind the throne worked the
strings to their own satisfaction. Coun-
cilmen were elected to oppose jobbery
and needless expenditure OF money, but
the seductive influences Of Smith aud
Fuller soon became manifest and they
were Tin with the gang" lf they were
men Of unsettled positions, lucrative sit
uations were secured for them on the
ton and insisted upon an official berth,
an office was created Anything was
done for them as long as they became sub
servient to the ''ring."
THE IRISH VOTE.
At the present time the ring" Is turn
| ing it's attention and considering the best
way 1t can work to secure the Irish vote
This is an important factor, in fact the
controlling one, and desperate efforts will
be made TO secure it.
In this connection the Office of city
treasurer, made vacantIby the recent death
| of.Charles Lord, will play conspicuous
part. The one man whom the ring"
would like TO make city treasurer is Chief
! OK Police Mcneil appointed during the
| Oliver regime. and opposed at that time
| by the present ''ring," he nevertheless has
become subservient to them. When James
RoIlston was candidate for council
| man, the liquor dealers were warned by
Mcneil that if they supported Rollston a
resolution of the Council increasing the
| license tee TO $780, which had been tabled
at a previous meeting, would be taken up
| and passed. Rollston fought the battle,
but was counted out.
Mcneil can hold his present position
for life, provided, of coure, he does what
is right. But the ''ring" would prefer a
more subservient tool, and for this reason
endeavored TO get Mcneil to accept the
Office of City Treasurer. This he refused.
Several Otner prominent lrlsnIneu are
| now mentioned, but they must be able
| to guarantee the Irish vote.
THEY CAN'T HAVE IT.
But they are liable to slip up. Promin-
ent lrishmen who are looked upon as
lukewarm in this matter, and who are
considered personal friends Of the ring"
| in a neighborly and social sense, and
whom the members of the ring" think
they can ''use" when the proper time ar
riyes are solid for reform.
The nomination Of William C. Farr,
made by the honest Democracy of
Bayonne, is endorsed and applauded Dy
Republicans. Independents, and by Pro-
hibitionists 1t is a fight against Jobbery,
against the "ring." and will be success
full