The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-30

yides our State from Pennsylvania. and
the Hudson from New York. wherever
the flag of our State Democracy waves l
have been true to the principles II repre-
sents. IL it's every fold. am en-.
titled to thS outrage of the Democrats OF
this city because / have fought for the
city's interests ask your votes because
lam true to the principles that nag repre-
sents.
ISLANDERS REFUTED.
LAS near as l can understand, am
charged with being an infidel. A New
York editor is worried about 1t. He's
afraid won't go to Heaven when die.
Let me say, without entering Into re-
ligious discussion, that the Constitution
of this State and the Constitution OF the
United States provide that no rei191ous
test shall be required of candidate for
office. What my religious belief is, is no
mans business. The constitution pro-
vides that every man may worship God in
his own way IL Is such constitution
that makes country worth living in, and
/ would die, If necessary, in support OF
that constitution. Whan my brain grows
small enough for me to ask OF a man what
his religion is as test for holding office
l hope that a merciful heaven Will set
that brain at rest."
With reference to the slanderouS charge
that he was instrumental in the passage
of the coal trust bill, Mr.. McDermotJ said
ne never rGCtINcu d CCHU 10 COuhoSA AOt tho
railroad companies. VI have always
fought them," he said. he refused TO
discuss the provisions of the bill because
the bill was in the hands OF the GOV ernor.
but he would have much to say about 1t
before the close of the present campaign.
This much he did saw
81 drafted a PLANK in Democratic
platform some years ago guaranteeing
protection to the people of this State from
any such combines, and l have never
proved false to that declaration. Coal
will not be dearer to the people of New
Jersey" TApplause]
Then Mr.. McDermott drew attention
to the tricky assaults of F'lavel MCGEE,
who, he said, was suffering from chronic.
dyspepsia and ambition to be judge,
HE charges me with belonging to tn ),
Ring" said MIR. McDermott, why, havo
been cut in the cold. For what good has
been done by the present administration
ever harm 1t has done, am liable to no
blame. But I refer YOU to McGee'
plank in the Republican platfor m
concerning the city's indebtedne IS
of SlS0OO.0O0 Talk about a
mortgage on house. On every house or
piece of land in this city there rests a
mortgage of 1S per cent. of its value
Most Of this indebtedness was foisted.
upon the city by Republican gang tina !
| issued bonds which Will mature in 1913
| for war debt. With record of fiftee n
| years the Republicans left net debt in
crease of $10,000,000 The Democrats
increased that amount $9,oo0.ooo.
| and am not going to
justify even that small increase
1t ought to stop; but you see where the
| responsibility rests" Mr.. McDermott
| referred to his connection with the FL
| nance Board from 1888 to 1885, and
| claimed that under his administration
of the financial affairs the debt was re-
| duced over three-quarters OF a million of
| dollars. and that was the only period in
eighteen years during which there was
reduction in the city's debt. II am en-
| titled to some credit for that" he said.
land claim it. On April l. 1885," he
continued, II went out of the Board of
Finance. One of the members of the
SCISSOR, and he said to me If you don't
vote for me, you'll go out 1 went out
wasn't buying rny position that way"
[Applause.
TENANTS PAY THE TAXES.
Referring to the matter Of taxes Mr..
McDermott said: sit is the tenants who
pay the taves. No landlord ever fixed his
rate of rent without first consulting his
tax bill to see what his expenses were. 1t
is the tenants who occupy few rooms
who pay the bulk of the city's debt. The
debt means so many comforts taken from
the poor man and his family. The in
crease of our funded debt must be stopp
ed. pledge you, if elected Mayor, there
shall be no increase in the debt of Jersey
City" (great applause).
Mr.. McOermott claimed there hadn't
been proper assessment of the property
of the entire city in many years The
tax levy of last year, nearly $4,000, 000
was large, but he believed the city could
be conducted ou different principles. 81
If oil otod - qui1 ha hot
expenses shall be reduced, or pl resign.
We want better government. We want
better schools. l believe in public i'm
provements and better prices for labor"
Applause.
HIS LABOR RECORD.
Referring to the ''attack of delirium
tremens" which appears to have afflicted
''his friend the Mayor" [hisses] concern
ing his attitude toward the cause o.
labor, the speaker sad:-"I have worke d
at my trade (printer) in almost every
State in the Union. ale in looking over
some of my old papers recently 1 found
this note:
ATKINSON, Kansas.
'sHerald Composing Room,
''St, Louis, MOI
keep printers away. We are on a strike.
JAMES JONES, President" !"
IT kept them away, aud the union won
the SIrlko. lApplduoe.l ALL SJlll an
active member of the Trenton Typo,
graphical Union. There has been no bill !
in favor of organized labor drafted since
1880 that has not had my earnest support.
| am not humbug or demagogue enough
to go around shaking hands with every
body and asking them how's their grand
mother. LaugnLer.] But do believe
can render the poor better service by
making the public schools fiG place for
the children of the poor throughout the
community to be educated in" [Great
applause
In declaring the Republican platform
unworthy of confidence and respect, Mr.
McDermott again referred to the two
principal checks received by the Republi-
can campaign managers when McGee
held that prayer meeting" in the Re-
publican convention. SHOULD Mr. Nc
Geo." he said, "be appointed Judge,
hope the President will say:-'Let Mr..
McGee ascend the bench. Let Mr.. Tom
Potter escort him on the one side and
some policy dealer on the other
Il believe in organized labor. 1t is in
the interests of the entire community,
and you can rest assured, whether elected
or not, no man shall do work for me un-
less he is member of craft-if there is
a craft in the community in which he
resides. / believe in good schools, low
taxes, and a reduction of the debt
in the interest of the tenants,
who pay the taxes when they
pay their rents. IT elected l shall endeavor
to make this city fit associate for the
metropolis of the United States, that the
people may be contented with their sur