The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-09-28
POLITICAL CENTRES.
Where the Politicians of the
State Meet and Plan
Campaigns.
THE MECCAOF DEMOCRACY
Chairman Franklin Murphy's Home
The Republican Centre-Demo-
cratic Eyes Turned To-
wards Washington.

NJ ~ bbat hGh ANN
of politics 10 New Jersey at more seasons
of the year than anywhere else in the
Union. He was an expert in matters
political, having observed the ebb and
flow of the parties in nearly eS3ry State.
The remark was apt and very largely
true. Had the same old timer happened
within the Jersey borders ut this autumn
period of the year he would have quail
fed his expression by admitting that the
season OF the big fairs made politics espe-
cially prominent. Oeher States have
fairs that are agricultural strictly. That
is. they are devoted to big pears, pump
kins and preserves. with the horse race
and the ubiq uitous side show. But
every Agricultural event in New Jersey
In September has a distinctly political
flavor. Even at the smaller exhibitions
In S~omerville, Newton and throagh
South Jersey. the politicians are expected
to be present, and they are as much In
evidence on such occasions as the prizs
pig or the mammoth melou.
But 1t Was at Waverly and Mount
Holly that the great gatherings have
always taken place, and today Trenton,
with its unique and successful Inter
state Fair, claims recognition as Il Dolltir
cal ceatre. IL Is because all these eXhiDl-
lions are crowded into the current month
ina the camDa1sn is justly said to begin
in September. Really. campaigns in this
State never close. They pull down the
shades and keep front doors shut, to Use
saloon pRrlance, between the termiua-
lion OF the legislative session and the fall
fairs, but the side doors, SO to speak. are
always open. There is 4 perpetual ripple
on the stream throughout the State.
DON'T BE DECEIVED.
Do not be deceived, nuwever. Nothing
is settled ut the Fair. The shrewd leaders
listen, while the small fry does the tslk-
ing. The managers are crowded into a
tent or surrounded 90 a lawn and pick
up huge cAuuks OF useless gossip. with
an occasjo-a bit of wisdom. But no
plans are laid nor nominations made at
these times. That ls q popular faIlacy.
TIE unsophisticated citizen who makes
hands with the Governor, one of The
United States Senators or a Congressman.
may think great sehemes are In rogress
behind the suxve smile or the genial
word, but it is "a misGake. The value OF
the September Fair to the political boss
is limited. IL simply consists of the OPP
poruunity to CONS III touch with the
masses and the cleaning of S ray items of
information. Possibly. also. the chance
To enthuse the ordinary voter and fix the
Importance of the coming CANVASS III his
mind, may be of benefit.
WHERE THE PLANNING Is DONE.
The places where The real political plan
Z ming is done are far away from agricul.
turaI exhibitions. The most famous
political promotion centre, historically
considered, is the Trenton House in This
city. Could the modern photograph
have been on tap in the corridors of the
old hosiery for the past half entury,
anu were it now to be opened. the dis
closures would furnish revelations ana
sensations enough TO fill an average
library. OF late year, Trenton has lost
prestige in this line, although any hotel
cuutainIng Henry c.. Kelsey and Henry
S. Little among its prominent guests Is
suIe to supply a fund of political expert
euce. The eastern end or the State
is more in favor at present, although
it must always De remembered
that the Office of the West Jersey Rail-
road Company, at Camden, Terminates
much that is of value i'll ever Republican
undertaking. Taylor's Hotel ~witnessnes
u majority of the political conferences
these days. The local leaders. who used
Id be summoned TO Trenton to consult
VITA the uia2nates. are now ound daily
ether seated gu the sidewalk ia trout Of
the motel or closeted in one of the spacious
apartments OH the second floor.
THE MECCA OF DEMOCRACY.
This city is naturally the Mecca Of
the Democracy after the campaign is in
full swing. Governor Wcrts is here. So
are ex.t1overnors Albeit and Bedle. Ed
ward +. c.. Young, Allan L. McDermott,
Dennis Mclaughlin, Judge Hudspeth,
Justice Job Lippincott and q score more
OF Democratic lights. The Democratic
State Committee always has It's head
quarters in Taylor's Hotel, while
tue Republican State Committee has In
vaIiably selected quarters somewhe ere in
this city. Then Jhe easy access of the
place to New York is in It's favor. It is
opeu to question whether more political
deals are not now arranged, Or have been
during the past ten years, on
the Democratic side, IN a certain parlor
at the Aston House in New York a at
Tayior's Hotel or here &C Trenton. The
Astor House parior is perfectly familiar
to the political iusider. But No. 225
Broadway, whore Leon Albeit has his
law office, Witnessed msuy political con-
fereuces. The tide of several campaigns
was turned in the rather dIngy Offices
occupied by Senator Mcpherson. at No .
1876 Chambers street. At the latter place,
right up against the elevated railroad and
amid the clatter and roar of the trains.
the shrewd Democratic leader has decided
tie fate of many q candidate. Lots of
plans have also been laid and many
orders given at such hotels as the
Brevoort, Hoffman House. GilseY and
Metropolitan.
THE REPUBLICAN CENTRE.
Newark is not to be overlooked, of
course. 1t will be the real Republican
campaign centre this year. The fact that
Chairman FRANKLIN Murphy lives there
aud that half q dozen of this valued as
soeiates are Newarkers. will induce poll
tical pilgrims to journey III hat direction.
amt Is not far away and the clever
cepnsel of General Seweli eau be secured
In q few heuts. When William Walter
Phelps is to be consulted, aud his advice
is ever sought aud ever welcome to the
managers, he can be found by short trips.
The ex-Minister to Germany has an Of
flee in New York, at the corner of Wall
street aud Broadway. He will be at
Trenton. seated on the bench with his
associates of the Court of Errors and
Appeals. as soon as the court eenveues in
a few weeks. EnGlewood is really his
present home There is no republican
mora popular personally aud the fact
that he insists he is out of politics renders
his suggestions pertinent and important.
Newark IL also assuming great import
apce as q Democratic resort. Senator
James Smith, JF., has don more to divert
Jersey City's monopoly Of Democratic in
fiuebce than ANY other factor. His per-
sonal and party strength, coupled with
the aid of Judge Kruger, Senator Bar
rett. Samuel klotz and others, has
brought to Newark managers from other
sections of the State who formerly only
moved through the city on the way to
Trenton or this city.
THE ONE GREAT POT
There is one spot, however. hat is sure
to cut the greatest possible figure In the
current campaign. Outside OF the fights
now in progress over finances and