The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-12
cam a State Convention.

lished in all the newspapers on Satur-
day, was a step towards a radical re-
organization of the Democratic party
in Hudson County, through the inter
vention of the State organization, 1t
may be regarded as a step in the right
direction. But we fear it is utopian
to regard it as leading directly to a
settlement of existing troubles. We
do not exactly see how legal or equit-
able excuse can be found for simply
substituting the Garretson Commit
tee for the Young Committee, nor do
we see any practical likelihood of
peace and harmony accruing from
such a forcible substitution. At least
we do not see that it affords any
material prospect of a victory for the
Democratic party over the Republic
cans at the polls next November.
Nothing can be more certain than
that Robert Davis and his gang of
Hessians will stand out against it.
There is much reason to doubt
whether Dennis Mclaughlin and John
P. Feeney will assent to it. These in
huential members of the old Central
Committee are on terms of the bitter
est enmity with Mayor Pagan, DIR.
Gordon, MI. Record and other leaders
of the Garretson Committee. Speak
ing from a general understanding OF
the situation, merely, WI should say
that it was as impossible for an ANAL
gamation of the Central and Garrett
son elements to take place as for oil
and water to commingle. Neither do
we think that the Central Committee
leaders will quietly retire, allowing
their organization to lapse and the
other organization to take its place.
We believe altogether too vigorous a
spirit of hostility exists for this to
happen.
We observe that the suggestion has
been made from some source that DR..
Gordon, DR.. Edge, Mr.. Record and
other prominent members of the Car
retson committee should retire be-
they are obnoxious to some of
the leaders of the old committee. This
fatuous to expect. These ''obnox-
iousn gentlemen are the bone and
sinew, the life and soul of the Garrett
son committee, and it is simply absurd
to ask them to step out or to expect
them to do it. or to expect their col
leagues to ask them to do it, Or to con-
sent to their doing it, just at the very
time when they are on the verge of
such easur of success as recogni-
ton by the State Committee involves.
Here, then, is the situation
which is likely to succeed upon
the act which Mr.. McDermott's
letter presages: The Garretson Com
mittee will hold the recognition
of the State Committee as the
regular party organization; but it will
be made up of elements which prevent
any merger with the old party leader
ship or any absorption of certain i'm
portant elements of strength which
the old organization still controls.
On the other hand, the old organiza-
ton, which is at present torn by in
ternal discord, will be compelled to
consolidate once more by the impulse
of self-preservation. Davis and Nc
Laughlin will once more have to join
hands and rally their forces, not to
fight each other, IS they have been
doing the last year or two; not to
fight the Republicans, but to fight
the rival Democratic organization.
Just at this point, the extreme ire
form'' democrat. Mayor Pagan for in
stance, may say, Let them fight.
Their hour is gone by. Give us the
election officers and a fair count, and
we will show that we have the
strength, not they.
Perhaps it may be SO, that, through
out the county, the Assembly ticket
nominated by the New Regulars
might poll a larger vote than that of
the Central Committee. But, with
three tickets in the field, would it
poll more votes than the Republican
ticket? This is the important point.
This is the only question worth con-
sidering, for what is the use of re-
organization. or reform or recogni-
ton, or any other form of change If it