The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-07-05
SIM SMITH IS IN.
His Commission Signed, AC-
ceptance Filed and
Bondsmen Ready.
EXIT P. H. O'NEILL
Clean Sweep Ahead in the City
Collectors 0fice-The News
Makes a Sensation.

The exclusive announcement in Tuesdays
NEWS that Mayor Wanser had rendered the
Office of City Collector to Simeon H. Smith
caused considerable excitement in political
circles, and many doubted the truth Of the
story. Nevertheless it was fact, and Mr.
Smith will step into the shoes of Patrick II.
O'Neil He will today formally notify
Mayor Wanser of his acceptance Of the
office.
The position was rendered to AIr. Smith
voluntarily and without any solicitation on
his part When l saw Mr. Smith this morn
ing he said that it had been in the nature of
surprise He was told on Monday that
Mayor Wanser wanted to see him, and on
Tuesday he called at tho City Hall and was
offered the position.
Mr.. SMITH SPEAKS.
"Have you accepted the position:' asked
Mr. Smith.
eyes, have decided to do So" was his
reply, ''and | will write Mayor Wanser to-
day of my acceptance I did not seek the
position nor did have any inkling that l
was to be appointed. In fact it was great
| surprise to me"
| ''Fill you make any changes in the clerical
| force of the office, Mr.. Smith,
| THAT is a question that | cannot answer
| as yet. ] know nothing about the office,
1 and viii have to get acquainted with the
/ duties Of the clerks before l viii take any
action in that respect.
/ When asked whom be would appoint as
| his deputy, Mr Smith replied that, while he
| had given that subject some thought, ne had
arrived at no decision. While he believed,
| and always had believed, that, everything
being equal, as a republican he would pre-
| fer having republican assistants, but though
! q man be a democrat and it is for the best
| interests of the city to retain him, ne would
| certainly not allow politics to stand Ia the
way.
" I will never take an inferior republican
! TO do things that can be done by a capable
democrat. No man will have a slnecure
under me if l can help it. | would rather
have three men and pay them little more,
| than have five men and allow two of them
to look around. This has been my policy
in business, and [ will not do otherwise IN
| the affairs of the city"
TO BEGIN AUGUST ].
Mr.. Smith will enter upon his duties on
! August 1.
The apr, -ltment of Mr.. Smith gives gem
eral satisfaction to every one, and Mayor
| Wanser's selection is agreed by al to be
| first-class one.
Mayor Wanser declared this morning that
| Mr.. Smith would enter upon his duties Aug
| ust l.
Il did not believe " said the Mayor. that
Mr.. Smith would accept the Office, but when
| I was assured that he would I lost no time in
appointing him. He is, beyond dispute, a.
capable man. and Will make a faithful and
efficient City Collector.
| TO LEAVE THE sToCKYARDS.
Mr. Smith viii resign his position as
| Superintendent Of the Stock Yards at once--
| The reason he resigns as assigned by his
| intimate friends, is that he has had too
much hard work to do. The
salary of the Office of City Collector
is $1,000 Fees which amount
! to about 81 900 a year pour into the office
Mr.. Smith has already found sureties who
will furnish the required bond. As soon as
he enters upon his duties, there will be 8
wholesale clearing out of the old clerks
| Deputy Collector McCartin will be removed
first and then will follow Secretary Tuthlli,
Clerks Charles Krebs, Steve Egan, Thomas
Jordan, Charles McAnaIly, Deborah
Noonan, James Burns, John Vandle and
| Mess senger Merritt, John McCutcheon, the
veteran, will be the only man retained.
WHAT MR.. O'NEILL SAYS.
Collector O'Neill, when spoken to Of Mr..
| Smiths appointment as his successor, this
morning, said II an personally acquaint-
ed with my successor, and know him TO be
an honest, reliable man. His selection Is an
excellent one. I will surrender my Office to
him feeling that have done my duty and
earned every dollar of salary Jersey City
has paid me-"
The clerks in Mr. O'NeilIs Office are very
much downcast. They entertained the idea
that they were not to be disturbed.