The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-07-20
THURSDAY. JULY 20. 1898.
TAis paper is Democratic in principles and ii
indepeldent in ats cietos on all local questions.
The Leadersbip of Hobert Dovis.

was '.elscted"i leader last week by
masquerading as Fourth District
democrats. He was again, on Tues
day evening. elected President by a
handful of machine politicians OF
the Fourth District Campaign Club.
Now, we ask the Democracy of the
city this plain, simple question: How
can they go before the people this fall
under the leadership of such a man.
and expect a victory? Is it common
sense or reason9
THE JERSEY CITY NEWS most
eagerly desires Democratic victory in
this city. 1t believes that the supre-
macy of honest Democracy is for the
public good, whether in cities, States
or the country at large. 1t believes
that Jersey City would profit directly
by having its affairs placed in the
hands of honest men of Democratic
principles; such mea as Allan L. Nc
Dermott. +. f. c. Young, ex-Judge
Garretson, DR.. Elge, q. S. Black,
Otto Cronse, John V. Bacot, ex-Sena-
tor Brinkeraoff, IL scores of others
whose names will occur to everyone.
We are still more anxious to see De-
moeratic power consolidated locally,
because the success of the party in
minor matters is the guarantee of its
triumph in the broader field of real
politics.
But we are hopeless of local success
in presence of the situation which has
gradually developed in this county.
on the part of the better element of
the party, the complete control of the
party organization passed some time
ago into the hands of one of the most
%atrocious miscreants who aver held a
place in public life in this or any other
city.
This man is Robert Davis. Under
his Leadership" the party organize
ton has itself been made an instru-
ment of crime, and it has still more
been used for the protection of crime
and criminals.
Under Davis lead the city and the
county have been robbed and plum
dered; the elective franchise has been
outraged; thieves and swindlers have
conducted their trade with impunity;
brotlels have f1ourished in connection
with the rum trafiic-the most de-
PRAYED section of it-and professional
gambling has become a regular insti-
tuition.
The public after suffering these
denominations TO the utmost point of
endurance, at last arose in their
strength to punish the prevailing
yiilainy. In the election for Sheriff
three years ago, they signalized their
disgust at Davis and his methods by
voting against his candidate by a
majority of 1904 votes in this city.
But Davis by II new crime. by whole
sale fraud in the northern part OF the
county. once more fastened his yoke
upon the people.
A little longer the people watched
the progress of public crime, and then
again they dealt the criminala blow.
This time, the innocent was con-
founded with the guilty, the savior
with the sinner. But the next two
elections showed how well the people
Disseminated between the Democratic
party and the Davis Ring. 1t is too
recent to need new detailing, that
splendid majority rolled up for Grover
Cleveland and George t. Werts-for
real Democratic principle coupled
with personal honor. in the fall
election of last year, and again that
crushing defeat by which Charles
w. Allen was overwhelmed for the
sins of others. and a republican was
called to support Mayor Wanser in
the Board of Finance.
But the amazing thing about this
succession of events is the apathy
which it has still left among the
natural leaders of the party in this
county, the men Of honor and stand
ing, who should be at the head of
affairs and who could redeem the
party in one campaigns. Neither de-
feat nor victory has brought them to
the front, and they have sat idly by,
while the arch-criminal, Davis him
self, has undertaken a fake reform. a
colossal farce, q huge pretence OF Inn
prove,nent which Is really a mere
scheme to consolidate his own grip
and to destroy the power of every one
else who might seek to divide with
him the control of ths machine.
We have heard much of this reform,
this reorganization, as it has been
called; but almost the only thing we
have heard Is the number of com
mitteemen Davis is to name, the fact
that he has dictated his W election
to this or that Office of leadership,
that this or that hselsr of his has
been chosen to lead this or that dis
trict, or that he has made an alliance
with some more or less influential
local politician in Hoboken or Union