The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-24
POST OFFICE GRABBERS
All Sorts of Disreputable Meth
ods-Johnny Germans
Boom"

0OI1tDOuy appears W ~ uoluS NcIy ODJOO-
tionable methods to wreck Robert Jerdan's
prospects of being appointed Postmaster OF
this city. Within the past week letters have
been forwarded to President Cleveland and
to the New Jersey Senators and Congress
men at Washington, alleging that Mr.. Jor-
dan is not a resident of Jersey City, that he
is a gambler, and that he makes a practice
of singing in bar rooms. Mr.. Jordan has
just learned that such letters had been for
warded to Washington, but he has not yet
made any reply. The statements are. he
says, unworthy of his notice. He has, low
ever, made some investigation as to the
source from which they emanated. He will
not discuss the matter, but an init
mate friend last night said
certain members of the Hudson Democratic
Society and the friends of John {. German
were responsible for their issue. MI. German
denies all knowledge of the letters, and 1t IS
believed that he is sincere.
When the Postmastership plum was ripe,
Police Captain John F. Kelly, who once en-
joyed the position, presented himself as a
candidate. He had not a ghost of a show
from the start and was told so. After con-
siderable kicking he withdrew, not, however,
until he had declared that he would oppose
the appointment of any MAI put forward by
either County Clerk Mclaughlin or 'Bob"
Davis.
DAVIS MAN.
When Kelly was disposed of, Robert Jordan
was named as a candidate by Davis. Jor-
dams name met with the opposition of the
Democratic Society, and a number of the
Mclaughlin faction. An effort was made to
adjust the differences by naming a compro-
mise candidate. Superintendent of Police
IT. ID C~.s4 x-on .xo-4.o1aI Nv
Captain Kelly and supported by Police
Commissioner James Kelly and his associa-
ton. Smith attempted to secure Davis
aid, but that gentlemen refused to let go OF
Jordan and has kept on fighting for him
ever since as against all corners.
The Central Democratic Committee put an
abrupt end to Smiths candidacy by endors-
ing the name of Police Justice Michael j.
O'Donnell for the position. Smith pulled
out of the race, swearing vengeance on
Davis, the Central Committee and every one
else who had opposed him. There was a lull
for a time, and Jordan was the only man in
the field, when suddenly Benjamin Garrison,
bobbed up with good backing-that is to say,
the silk-stocking element. Then Elias Rob
erts, an ex-Police Commissioner demanded
recognition.
All the candidates, save Garrison and Jor-
dan, dropped into oblivion as rapidly as they
had risen into prominence, and the fight APP
peared TO be between Davis, with Jordan in
the foreground, and Garrison with the sup
port of the Democratic Society.
oRMAN OBS UP.
A week or so ago John D.. German, APP
peared on the horizon with a petition pur-
porting to bear at least five hundred sigma
lures. He attempted to secure Davis assist
however, in having County Clerk Nc
Laughlin enlist in his behalf. Mr.. McLaugh-
lin has gone no further than sign his petition,
however, as a number of democrats de-
manded by what right German sought the
Office. His record i'll the party, summed up,
is that he was vas picked up by
gained the Davis Light Guards. This
organization was fitted out, it was said, but
subsequently, when a ball was held,
there was a disagreeable wrangle
about the disposition of proceeds which
caused somewhat of a sensation at the time.
German worked in the interest of President
Cleveland in that campaign and the Davis
Light Guards took part in the celebration OF
his inauguration. In 1888 the Light Guards
were again organized by German. In 1890
German, who had been itching for office
was made a candidate for Freebooter. He
was elected and by virtue of the Legislature
extending the terms of Freeholders he held
the office for nearly three years. Upon en-
tering the board he declared that he would
nave a say in the deliberations The upshot
of his declaration was that he was shut out
of the Democratic combination and re-
manned a mere ~figurehead all the time he
was in the board. In 1891. when Michael j.
O'Donnell resigned his position as Tax Com
missioner to accept the Office of Police JUS
tice, German was appointed to fill
Justice ODonnell's unexpired term
of two years. While in the board
he is charged, justly or otherwise, with hay
ing made far more enemies for the party
thar he did friends. In 1892, he took the
Davis Light Guards to Washington to par
ticipate in the Inauguration Of President
Cleveland. The trip was a disastrous one.
A number of the guardsmen enjoyed the
felicity of either walking home or beating
their way back on freight trains.
1t is understood that neither German, Jor-
dan nor Garrison will get the postoffice, but
that a dark horse has been entered in the
race and will win the prize.