New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-07

Nominated tne ldWulaklnB po"ci ii""i'S ~'N'
captured everything in jersey City. The power
10 levy taxes 10 make Offices and 10 nil them was
in the hands of the bandits They used that
power TO heap up bonded debt and TO levy taxes
as high as the people could bear. The people
objected and protested, bat each effort on the parO
of the people 10 escape has served to show the
bandits where TO strengthen their offensive line
Any law that operated against the freebooiers
was repealed or amended to suit their needs. The
people resisted and struggled, but were gradually
tied down and overcome They were helpless
Their franchise was useless Their votes were
not counted, or were counted against them The
ballot-box suffers had the boxes and could an
nounce a majority in advance.
The history of the conspiracies and crimes by
which the city was captured is of remarkable
interest 1t shows how men who were content to
earn an honest living by driving "a
coal cart, driving undertaSers COACH
serving a newspaper route or CHASING inc
furtive item for a small local newspaper as u
reporter are now in control OF the city and roll
ing in wealth. There have been so many of these
conspiraces and crimes that the story would
I'LL book. a retrospective glance strikes few
of the more prominent figures, as the rays OF
the setting sun touch mountain tops last, bringing
them out in strong relief. 1t will also show why
Allan l.. McDermott has been put forward as a
candidate for Mayor. The men who obtrude
themselves most cOnspicuousy during the ias'
decade and half in New-Jersey Democratic pol
itics are Leon Albeit Allan L. McDermott. Den
MS Mclaughlin, Robert Davis and T. III. " Nelil'
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS.
In 1877 Albeit was a candidate for the Gov
ernorship McDermott q law student in AbDetts
,ffice, was admitted to the bar that year. lie
la la, hoan
Democratic party was divided. The arlstocratc,
or silk stocking faction was led by the State
House Ring The short hairs or practical pro-
fessionals. were led by Leon Albeit Orcstes
Cleveland was then opposed to Albeit because
Albeit as chairman of the New Jersey dcicga-
ton to the ST. Louis convention in 1876, refused
TO name Orestes Cleveland for place on the Ma
rlonal Democratic Committee. The members OF
the State House Ring aligned themselves undel
Clevelands leadership, not because they hkeu
him. but because his opposition promised results
Orestes Cleveland was political and financial
power then. He had not wrecked the DIXON
Crucible Works. Albeit had majority in the
convention for Governor, but it was stampeded
for General Mcclellan, and Albeit was defeated by
skilful plan, which snatched tie victory
from him at the last moment.
That plan was devised by Orestes Cleveland
and executed under his guidance. Cleveland had
punished Albeit, and they were enemies for life.
Three years afterward Cleveland was an aspirant
for the Governorship. Albeit Corporation
Counsel of Jersey City, and McDerlnott was his
assistant as Corporation Attorney. when the
convention for Governor was held they were both
on hand. The members of the State House Ring
were opposed 10 Cleveland, and they renewed
their tactics Of three years before Albeit became
their ally, and chairman of the convention. That
settled Mr. Ccvelands aspirations George G..
Ludlow was nominated compromise candidate.
lie did not satisfy either faction, and Frederic A.
Potts received a majority of the votes cast.
That fact was asccrtaned early on election
night Fifty-nine OF the Assembly districts had
been heard from. and there was no doubt in any
bodys mind that the Republican nominee had
been elected Governor. The LXth District was
controlled by Dennis Mclaughlin. lie was a
newspaper carrier and q ward politician. unknown
~ fame. lie made no returns from his district
until the morning after election. Then Ludlow
was declared elected by 600 majority When
Mclaughlin realized his power and his opportuni-
ties he fixed his gaze the Office of county clerk
which has term of five years and produces a
fortune. lie has it yet.
THE BALLoT-BoX sTUTTTNG HABIT.
recognized as a profession. At first it was prac-
tiscd as a fine art Then it became common
that no art was employed. 1t was simply I'M
skilled labor Each election carried by fraud in
creased the number of bencfciaricS. The men
who worked the boxes were paid with petty Offices.
The officials elected by fraud were charged with
the apprehension and punishment Of criminals.
Stufiing the boxes to secure their election was
not crime in the eyes Of these officers. In time
the balsot-b0X suffers reason why they
should work for the benefit OF others. They
began 70 elect themselves
When Ludlow's term expired Albeit was
again candidate. lie had retained his plac,
Us Corporation Counsel 10 Jersey City. McDer-
mott also retained his place as Corporation At
torney, although ne had been sent to the Legs
lature in 1879, 1850 and 1881, and his partisan
services were highly appreciated lie led the Alb
bett forces at tile State Convention Of 1882, and
was temporary chairman. Albeit was nominated
and the gang in Jersey City did their most eff
fective work. Albeit was elected McDermott.
services in that campaign were rewarded. lie
was made president OF the jersey City Board OF
Finance, where he could put the screws on the
officials by cutting down their appropriations
Governor Ludlow recognized his services by ap
pointing McDcrmott Judge Of the Jersey City Dis
trict Court, and as sooh as Albeit could do SC
he appointed McDermott as State Railroad As
SCISSOR. In 1856 lie was again rewarded by Gov
ernOr Albeit. who appointed him Clerk in Chan
Gerry, fyc-year Office with fortune in it, /
is legtimatcly more lucrative than any otbe
office in the State. lie was made Chairman o
the State Democratic Committee. There hi
political services have been very effective
In 1874 when Albeit was trying 20 secure til,
United States Senatorship. McDermott had charg
Of tie canvass lie was counsel in the Turtle
and Walter frauds. Ia the IIaincn-Turley cas-.
Judge Pancoast. q prominent Camden Count
Democrat, proved conclusivcly that Il locksnit
had been brought from Philadelphia to pick Tn
locks Of ballot-box in order to change tn
result yet McDermott. by the aid OF Democrat