The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-02-29

for the success of that organization than
any man in the State. There is a peculiar
vein In Mr.. McDermott's composition
that hts him as a leader and brings such
cess TO every undertaking with which he
is connected. Years ago when Governor
Albeit aspired to the Governorship of
New Jersey, his candidacy was opposed
by many of the then leading Democrats
OF the State, and many who are now bask-
ing In the sunshine of his political
1rmament, were then his most bitter
antagonists and prophesied defeat upon
MS nomination. When the sentiment of the
party workers had decreed the nomina-
tlon OF Leon Albeit for Governor, these
same people sprang the late General
George Is. Mcclellan upon the convention
ana stampeded the delegates away from
nim. AT the next GuDernaturial conven-
ton Mr.. Albeit declined in favor of
George G. Ludlow and at the expiration
OF MS term the young Democrats OF the
State who believed that, with Albeit as
Governor they would receive recognition,
Went to the convention aud, recognizing
in Allan L. McDermott the capabilities
or leader, elected him as temporary
Chairman of the convention which NOM
mated Leon Albeit for Governor.
There was not man in the convention
who saw the young Chairman upon the
platform but realized that there was q
new advent in the Democratic party and
the mastery manner in which Mr..
inaries of that convention con-
vinced everyone that he was the
coming genus of the party. From our
end of the State Mr.. McDermott-becau
unknown to uS-was looked upon as a
ward politician, and the Republican
leaders regarded the young diplomat as
one easily to be overcome. Governor
a hoo q l-aa of tAnr
ception, and knew that with the party
reins in Mr.. McDermott'S hands defeat
was impossible. For long time the polit-
ical successes achieved under Mr.. McDer-
motifs management were look upon as
accidental or from local dissensions in
the Republican party. until his numerous
victories in the strongest Republican
counties forced the Republican leaders to
realize that he was a veritable Napoleon
In political warfare, who has never yet
met Waterloo"
AS A POLITICAL MANAGER.
1t was while managing the campaign
for Governor Albeit that Mr.. McDer-
great ability as political general. He
succeeded in giving the Governor plu-
rality without the aid of Hudson county,
feat that has never been accomplished
before in the history OF the battles of the
two great political parties. The great
victory won by the party last fall when
Republican strongholds elected Demo-
end to the other followed the banner OF
Democracy. was the result Fof Mr.. Nc
Dermott's master hand in organization,
and his ability to take advantage of the
weakest point of his opponents. The
Trenton True American said of Mr.. Me-
Dermott on February "A last:-
In 1879, he was elected to the Assem-
bly, from the Fourth district of Hudson
county, and Immediately rose into prom
lnence as most skilful debater and a
keen legislator. His mind grasped the
most intricate public questions, and he
was able TO present them to the House
with great force. His reelection In 1886
followed as matter of course, and in the
Democratic caucus of 1881. Mr.. McDer-
mott was named as his party candidate
for the Speakership. In 1879, he had
been appointed Corporation Attorney OF
Jersey City. and held that position with
great credit, until in 1882 when he re-
sigued it to accept the position of Judge
of the Jersey City District Court. rendered
to him by Governor Ludlow.
IN THE BOARD OF FINANCE.
'In 1888 the Mavor of Jersey City ap-
pointed Mr.. McDermott as member OF
the Board of Finance and Taxation in
that city. This Board holds the pulse
strings and thus controls the other
VI duCnSo VA bhS Guy ia bu6
matter of public expenditures at least.
He served two years as a member and
Instituted such reforms that when he felt
obliged to retire from the Board in 1885,
the Jersey City Argus thus commented
on the loss to the ciIy:-
1.-The withdrawal of Allan l. McDerSDptt from
the management of our municipal finances is a
public calamity. His clear head, his honesty of
purpose and untiring energy have rendered him
of inestimable value to our city. He was con-
CrNin " In fha rio
his efforts, mainly the assessments upon cor
porate property have been so re-adjusted as to
yield annually an increased rev venue of S217 900
to Jersey City. This service alone would be
sufficient to merit for him the gratitude of the
community. But he has done much more He
has introduced and enforced rigid principles of
economy in our local expenditures, and has
with the aid of his colleagues, established an
admirable financial system which has placed our
credit beyond cavil or suspicion. In his retire
ment from this station which he has so much
honored, he will carry with him the respect and
esteem of the people, who, far as he is con-
cerned, will accord to him the appreciation due
to the good and faithful servant who has done
well.'
''In 1884, when the state Board of As
SCISSORS was to be formed for the purpose
of putting into action the railroad taxa
tion act then just passed, Governor Alb
bett nominated Mr.. McDermott as one of
the members. and his nomination was
confirmed by the Senate. 1t Is no fattery
to say that much of the great success
which follows the work of the Board in
bringing into action the great forces of
the law for the taxation of the railroads
was due to the active cooperation of Mr..
McDermott and the ability with which he
handled the many important questions
before the Board in the face of the oppo-
sition of the great lawyers who repre-
sented the railroads.
I'm 1886, Governor Albeit, in recogni-
tion of Mr.. McDermott's services to the
State on the Railroad Taxing Board, ap-
pointed him as CLERK in Chancery, and
reappointed him in 1891.
.In active politics Mr.. McDermott's pro-
gress has been as great and as honorable
He was Temporary Chairman of the State
Convention which nominated Albeit, and
Permanent Chairman of the Convention
which nomina ated Governor Green. He is
now Chairman of the State Democratic
Committee. To his services in that ca
pacity is due, in no small measure, the
extraordinary majority given for Cover
nor Green in HUDSON county; for Grover
Cleveland, for President, in 1888; for
Governor Albeit. in 1889, and also for the
marvellous success of his party in the
Legislative campaigns OF 1890 and 1891
"Mr. McDermott is still a young man.
and his future is a broad and generous
one, since he has shown a most remark
able ability and fitness for all positions to
which he has been called"
CHRIST HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.