New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-26
THE STATE OF GoVERNoR ALBEIT.

THE STATE OF GOPERNOh AbbBI1'
Nev.Jersey was once State of the Union.
Then it became the personal property of rail-
road company. and then after some vlcisstudes
II became the property of Governor Albeit.
His ownership of the property, it is hoped, may
possibly be disputed in the courts. but on the
face of things, certain enactments having been
approved by the New-Jersey Supreme Court as
valid. he appears to have complete title 70
the State 1t is not necessary just now to refer
to the act creating Riparian Commission. The
mowers of this body over the waterfront in the
State of New Jersey control great many mill
ions of invested property, and may be expected
TO have. as the Governor doubtless intends it
shall have, large and lasting political inhu-
ence. Two other acts have just been passed
mon by the courts and their constitutionality
affirmed which place under the sole control OF
Governor Albeit and his appointees the two
larger cities Of the State, the votes OF which
determine the political character of the state
and elections held therein.
These enactments revolutionize municipal
govel nment in Newark and Jersey City, and
give to Democratic heelers powers that are
practically unlimited. There is to be no repre-
sentative government in either of the two cities,
for five commissioners have absolute control OF
the public streets, the sewers, the parks and
public buildings, the waterfront the scavenger
work, the Aqueduct Department, and all Official
work in the streets 1t does not matter just
now how much regular appropriations for these
PURPOSES may be needed, since it is clear enough
that the ring controlling the two cities will make
The amount largo enough for all practical pur-
10 n
control its action Practically all the patronage
in the departments will be in the hands Of five
commissioners, to be distributed by Democratic
Mayors. 1t will be curious state of things
if these officials are not able to dictate the cleo
ton Of their friends.
The Democratic ring in jersey City has made
itself odous by extraordinary frauds, both in
the management Of city affairs and in elections.
1t has come to pass that large minority of the
more intelligent and right-minded Democrats
of that city have arrayed themselves in hostility
to this Democratic ring, and have underworld
to transfer the control of city affairs by means
of its defeat They have not been successful.
because the elections held under the control of
ring politicians have not been in any respect
honest or fair. So the people, nominally out
voted from year to year, have come to consider
the Democratic ring as entitled to own the
city, and now that Governor Albeit puts him
self behind the ring and dictates its policy, he
may be considered as the personal proprietor
Of Jersey City. The situation as to Newark is
not materially different. A Board of Commits
sioners. composed of five members, is to have
virtually absolute power over that city. The
details are not at all important. The Governor,
IL H.. Il
Newark, will control affairs in that city as long
as either of them may please, unless there should
be an uprising of the people to defeat their
schemes. AS the great majority of voters In
Newark has appeared hitherto to be in favor Of
the Democratic policy, and particularly Of the
utmost possible license in respect to the liquor
traffic, it may fairly be presumed that Governor
Albeit will be upheld in any act of usurpation.
however extravagant or outrageous, by the
liquor interests in that city.
The two cities have ordinarily cast enough
votes for the Democratic party to control the
action of the State of New-Jersey. Under the
new Appointment Act their power will be
materially increased II is not to be expected
that rght-thinkng and decent Democrats will
vote against their own party in an election of
National interest, and so it may be presumed
that the Governor of New-Jersey will continue
to own the State for political purposes for some
years to come. What preference he has as
respects the nomination of this or that man for
President does not yet appear, and may per-
haps be influenced in some measure by his own
personal ambition. But he is the proprietor of
the State. and our Democratic friends will have
to consult with him before they can get either
a delegation in the convention or the electoral
vote of the State for any candidate they may
prefer