The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-03-19
FOR MAYOR OF BAYONNE.
A Disgraceful State Of Affairs Un-
der the Present Government
-Farr to the Front.

The nomination of William c. Farr,
ex-school trustee and ex-councilman. by
the Democrats Of Bsyonne last Saturday
night for Mayor. has created decided
sensation. especially among the politici-
set Is evident from the excited conuItion
of the men in power, who for years have
dived in luxury of the enormous taxes
collected ostensibly for the benefit Of the
city, but which in the majority Of cases
has found its way iuto the pockets Of con-
tractors or rather contractor, for one man
has been the fortunate one for years
past.
Bayonne is fortunately situated, and
will become in the future a prosperous
city, but II the powers which have con-
trolled IL for years past are not now
wiped out, reputable business men will be
forced to seek other places TO live.
1t is recognized fact that at the
present time, and for years past, Emmet
Smith, city surveyor and engineer, has
been the boss of the town. He 1t ID who
for years past has controlled the CITY
government, running ii as he thought best,
and finding men willing and anxious TO
heed his heck and call. The result has
been that tine rate of taxation has
steadily increased until the taxpay-
ers have become disgusted, and have de-
cided TO make bold move to oust from
power the present men.
HIGH TAXATION.
The increased rate OF taxation is due to
the number-o of sewers built aud street i'm
provements carried on, some necessary,
the majority unnecessary. but all done mt
an enormous cost. Only one man has
been successful In getting the contracts.
others have secured them, but were
forced to give them up before carried
out.
Emmett Smith is the city surveyor and
engineer. He draws up the specifications
and sees that they are carried out. In
few cases others than James j. Cogan
have secured the contract. But Smith
had his revenge. When they undertook
to work he held them so strictly to the
much fault that they were forced to give
up and Cogan continued the work,
doing it without the interference OF Smith.
In the carrying out OF his plans Smith
is ably seconded by the Councilmanic
"Big Six" Messrs Meggs, Goddard, Nc
Qulilan. Scofield, Cadmns and Sandforth
and Mayor Newman.
There was one job IN particular which
has given rise TO much scandal, the i'm
provement or West Ninth street. When
the preliminary specifications were pre-
pared by Smith, S124 per lot was to be the
mated above what 1t will really cost. The
taxpayers thought it rather high, but al
lowed the improvement TO go on. When
the assessment was issued S195 per lot
was the rate. Fifty cents per yard was
charged for removing dirt about one hun
dred feet and as high as 81 per yard
charged tor sand.
IMPROVEMENT AND SALARY JOBS.
About two mouths ago it was decided
to flag and curb West Forty-shird street.
Bids were solicited, and contractor
named Ford put in bid for seventeen
cents per foot The price heretofore
charged was twenty-five cents. The
councilmen tried to get out of making the
contract by various means, but were un-
able TO do so, and had to award 1t TO
Ford. Ford says he is willing to work ali
the year at such price.
Last year the citizens were outraged
when the salaries of city officials were In-
creased. The city attorney obtained an
increase of $500 at one jump, and other
officials were increased Ia proportion. At
the same time new official positions were
created.
The one man who has been pronounced
opponent of this jobbery has been William
G. Farr. He has always opposed it, and
for this reason the ring" fears him more
than any other citizen Of Bayonne. In
his early DAYS Mr.. Farr Was Democrat.
In 1877 or 1873 he became disgusted with
luo dcllOuS Ol SOuc VI lIc ltCdl lcdQcT5,
and gave notice that until they were read
out OF the party he would not enter the
ranks. From that time on he worked
with the Republicans, and was elected on
Republican ticket to the Council. but his
work was not that of partisan, but of
true citizen working for the welfare of
the city. He opposed jobbery and trick
cry, and learned that in the Republican
party there were as corrupt men as in the
other. But the Democrats of Bayonne
were getting rid of all their bad timber as
well as they could.
BACK IN THE FOLD.
About year ago the Council changed
the ward lines. They put Farr out of the
Republican Second. where they thought
he had too much strength, into the DEM
ocratic Fifth, thinking that the Demo
Gratis would not pick him up. In this
they were sadly mistaken. for at the first
opportunity, last spring, the Democrats
did nominate MIN for the Council and he
was elected without any opposition. he
resigned two weeks ago.
1t is for mis- sincere and steady opposi-
tion to the ring" that the honest Demo
Gratis have placed him in nomination.
Republican and Democratic taxpayers are
fiockiug 10 his support and his election
seems an assured thing.
In this connection it may be said that
the Democrats will place in nomination
for the Council, men in sympathy with
Mr.. Farr's ideas. unless the prim-
aries are so worked as to secure the nom-
nations for the present incumbents
which is not at all likely.