The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-03-11
Having Tasted Democratic
Blood the Republicans
Appetite IsRaVenous.
INVESTIGATION TO CONTINUE
When Through With the State
House Various Parts of the
State Will Be Visited.
sncctc, 10 thc Icrseu c..u Ne,see.

If there will be a siege of LeXowlnS IN
New Jersey with q vengeance. The In
vestigating Committee consider that rhey
made rich discoveries during the two
days that they sat, and now find them
selves embarrassed as to the results
Every turn they have made has brought
out startling developments. What they
considered would be only trifiess leading
up to the heavy work have become SEN
sations in themselves.
The investigation probably owes its
origin to the fact that two men fell out
over the division of spoifs. Had it
not been that the flag staff episode had
been dragged into the Mercer County
Court, and the facts developed that the
State was an easy mark for jobbers. the
tinued unnoticed.
Everybody is surprised at the boldness
with which Bernard J. Ford, the Super
fntendent of the State House, acted.
Ford had been for years lobbyist about
the corridors. had never cut much -of a
figure in. Newark politics, and obtained
the appointment of Superintendent of the
State House by accident. Frank NJ Nc
Dermott. the Democratic frebrand who
sat for two sessions in the Legislature,
one Saturday afternoon just for fun told
a Newark reporter that he had BEEN to
Trenton and had learned that Barney
Ford was to be made the Superintendent
of the State House. The fact was an
nounced and it set bees to buzzing in Mr..
Ford's hat. He never had an idea of be-
coming a candidate. but when he saw
his name coupled with the office and some
assurances given. he Immediately jumped
in and began an earnest contest. which
resulted in his enlisting the interest of
James Smith, Jr.. and number of Essex
county politicians.
HOW FORD TOOK HOLD.
Leon Abbett was then giving to Essex
county most anything it wanted, ex-
pecting in return a cordial support for
Abbett in the United States Senatorial
contest Ford took hold of the office.
Ford was one of the men who
believed that there would never be
change in politics in New Jersey. He
studied politics very closely. He never
rose to the rank of a State leader, al
though at times he believed that he was.
because he enjoyed the confidence of
James Smith. Jr., Colonel E. Living
stone Price and ex-City Comptroller Con-
nelly, of Newark. The idea of the Re-
fdblieaps ever getting control of the
Legislature never occurred to him, and
when Republicans made such predictions
he laughed az it as the hugest kind of
joke.
Ford brought considerable trouble to
his own door for the part he took in
the Senatorial muddle of 1894. He gave
the Democrats every assistance possible,
but did his work underhand. and tried
his best to cover up his tracks, but
everything was too apparent and he was
the first Democrat under the new order
of things to take walk. H took very
active interest in the Senatorial fight
against Leon Albeit. He was a staunch
adFerent of James Smith. Jr. He played
Albeit well. enjoying his confidence to
his disadvantage. He was one of the very
first to announce the candidacy of James
Smith, Jr., and his well-stoclEed ice-box
played a very conspicuous part in the
contest The deals and the dickers, az
well as the fixing of the prices, were all
done over his apollinaris and toddy.
The genial Superintendent of the State
House was regarded as a very practical
man. and 1t is a matter of surprise all
around that he made his transactions so
carelessly Mr.. Ford was man of most
excellent habits. He never drank any
was in every particular man of fam
ily fond of all his domestic ties. His
business could be quoted as an insur-
ance agent, and even while stperintend-
ert of the state House he did consider
able of that incidentally. The reports
come that his family is now gathered
around his bedside in Florida, where he
is dying of lung trouble.
WORKING UP THE MYSTERY
It is quite probable that the sessions
of the committee will continue during
the summer months. and that county
and city affairs wherever the facts war
rent investigation will be given atte--
tion Since the committee began work
a tremendous amount of information
has been volunteered, and there was re-
ceived during the past week at least
bus1el of letters calling attention to
various abuses that would be well worth
Investigation.
The work of the committee will not
have any effect upon the date of ad-
journment. Friday, March %, is fixed
as the time, and the Legislature will
shut up shop on that date. Work is
being crowded. There were two night
sessions last week and there will be two
again this week. The Senate will sit
until Thursday evening, and all the
energies of the two bodies will be de-
voted to clearing the calendar, SO that
the bills can be taken to the Governor.
and If he has II mind to veto any OF
them, that they can be returned and
passed over his veto before sine die
adjournment.
The Advisory Committee have reached
a definite conclusion In regard to the
large appropriations: Morris Plains Hos
pita1. which originally asked for sS25 900,
is satisfied TO take $125,0o0 this year, So
as to begin the construction of a new
wing for incurables. 1t will take all
the money that they originally asked
for to complete the work. but this Leg
islature was not willing to place any
pay but s125.000, 50 that the work can
Sc begun and the Board of Hospital
Managers take their chances of secur-
ing a similar appropriation from the
next Legislature.
The State Prison will receive only $780,
viii be no new wing erected, but that the
money win be ex5enced for a new hos
nifsI new chapel and an electric light
5jant. This institution is very much
nvereroWded, but as ii has been decided
to erect an intermediate prison at Rah-
way, where the State owns large farm
fhe new Institution Will relieve the Sta te
prison Of about 400 conyicts, SO thai
mere WIN be enough room then in the
State Prison to faccon1fnodate the prison
srs who are sentenced TO solitary con
5nement The interme diate prison Is tbs
Governors pet scheme, and ne mas urgeo
The appropriation, inasmuc as ne de:
so leave the institution as q nonumen!
- i,;r a M nj Il fra Ron The school fund