Passaic City record., 1893-03-25
The City Convention.
Enthusiastic Gathering in
the Old City Hall Last
Night.
THAT FIRST WARD SPLIT.
City Treasurer Harry Meyers
Becomes Excited, Creates
a Scene, Tries to Break
Up the Convention,
and Retires.
TOLD HIS DELEGATES NOT TO
VOTE.
mR. sLATER,s ADDRESS.

Never in the history of the City
was there SO much excitement at a
mayoralty contest.
The old City Hall was packed
with prominent citizens last night
for the purpose of nominating Mr..
John ]. Slater for Mayor.
1t was 8I5 when City Clerk Tir-
dali called the meeting to order
and Albert Totten was chosen
temporary Chairman, and 7. w
Deans Secretary. A Committee
on Credentials and an Executive
Committee were chosen. and after
a recess of half an hour their re-
ports were received and accepted.
The report granted to the split
delegates from the First Ward each
half a vote. This was objected to
by Harry Meyers, who claimed un-
fair treatment and endeavored to
wax eloquent ON behalf of Mayor
Brown. He compared his half vote
to an incident before King Solo
mon, where one child was claimed
by two women, and when the king
decided to cut the chill in two and
give each half the mother declared
she would have all or none. The
audience laughed him down,
whereupon he endeavored to break
up the meeting by moving to adj
journ. His attitude all through
was discreditable to him as a Re-
publican, good citizen, and local
business man-and his attack on
Mr.. Bornekesse1l was entirely un-
warranted.
When the Ward nominations
were asked for there was no OPP
position to Mr.. Slater and the
Chair announced the vote. The
dissatisfied First Warders headed
by Harry Meyers withdrew.
Messrs. Fuller, Post and Kevit
were appointed a committee to
wait upon Mr.. Slater and escort
him before the Convention. His
appearance upon the platform
brought forth loud and continuous
applause and it really seemed as
though every man in the hall was
a Slater man. When the applause
subsidized Chairman Totten intro
duced Mr.. Slater, who, amid
another out-burs of appreciation
advanced and addressed the con-
ventiOn as follows
Mr.. Chairman and Delegates.
of your action. / accept the nomination
and thank you. II elected it will be my
purpose to serve the people to the best of
nv ability. am conscious. Mr. Char
man, of the fact that deep interest
manifested itself throughout the City IN
the preliminary steps necessary to the
nomination. comprehend. fully, the
responsibility that rests upon me in ac-
cepting the nomination rendered BY you.
believe that the result of the Primaries
attests the fact that there is a settled
conviction IN the minds of the people
that we have arrived at a point where it
is now the part of prudence to make
haste slowly.
The full attendance at the Primaries
is hopeful sign. 1t is evidence that the
people are not silent and uhinterested
participants in City matters. | desire to
acknowledge my appreciation of the very
cordial support received throughout the
city, and if elected. shall endeavor to
merit 1t.
am not prepared this evening to out
line any policy, except to state in gem
eral way that the interest Of the taxpay
ers is the most pressing subject for the
consideration of those in official position.
In the matter of taxation it would seem
that having arrived at uniform basis of
assessment, the equalization of inequali-
ties is duty requiring more than mere
casual inspection. performed more in
compliance with law than of service to
those assessed.
In conclusion, feel that the situation
demands the careful, unprecedented,
thoughtful action of all interested in the
welfare of our City. and to the end that
the tax rate may be kept at point as
low as consistent with the requirements
OF the City, should if elected, counsel
economy in every department of the City
Government.
am not unmindful of the voice of the
people as manifested by your election as
Delegates to this Convention and shall
not intentionally disregard their will.
embrace this opportunity to say that
if assume the office, it will be without
pledge or promise. and that will be free
and untrammeled to act as the interest
of the City may require.
This was received with another
outburst of applause, after which
Moses E. Worthen and Peter
Reid were nominated and con-
frmed Surveyors of the High