The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-10-30
MOBDED BY SILVBRI7ES
Horseshoe Rufians Break Up a
Polish Republican Meet
ing Mayor Wan
ser's Stand.

The presence of a section of policemen
armed with nightsticks under command
Of Sergeant John Quinn, of the Seventh
street station, prevented riot at a Re-
publican mass meeting in the Sunday
school rooms of st. Anthony's Polish
Church, at Monmouth and Sixth streets,
last night.
A disorderly mob of free silyerites be-
sieged the hall, threatened to destroy the
church property, hissed the speakers and
conducted themselves generally like a
gang of Anarchists.
Who is responsible for the occurrence
no one appears to know, but the police
are making an effort to ascertain. A
Polish Republican Club, it appears, ar
ranged the meeting, and were given as
sistance by John p Landrine, of the Re-
publican County Committee 1t had been
represented to the priest of the church
when the han was rented to the Republi-
cans that a few candidates were to speak
to the members lof the church. On this
representation the priest consented to the
use of the place Of worship. Chief Muir
ply issued a permit for fireworks and
detailed two men to attend the meeting
and preserve order. Yesterday evening the
priest waited on Captain Kelly and in
formed him that he had consented TO al
low Democratic candidates to speak at the
meeting, saying that his idea was 20 have
the opposing candidates discuss issues for
the benefit OF the Polish people
Captain Kelly reminded the priest that
the church had been let for a Republic
can meeting, and suggested that it would
be wise to call off the Democratic part
Of the programme. The priest would not
consent.
There will be trouble" said Captain
Kelly. There was, Notwithstanding the
fact that he sent whole section OF
armed men there to prevent it.
Chief of Police Murphy this morning
gave an account of what hap 3ened 1t
was as follows:-The Republican meeting
was in prosresss~and a few thoodlums
who had entered the church hissed
stamped on the floor and at frequent in
fervals cheered for some candidate FL
naily the free silver mob direct from
the Horseshoe appeared on the scene.
marching into the hall and creating the
widest kind of disorder. They carried
transparencies bearing such inscriptions
as Down with the money kings ana
trusts, and others of that anarchistic
type. In short order the mob was in
possession, kissing everybody who at
tempted to speak and yelling wildly for
Bryan. The efforts of the police to
check the disorder were futile. In the
midst of the confusion Mayor Wanser
entered. counselor MtlIlam M kirk.
the Republican Assembly candidate who
had attempted to speak, retired in the
Mayors favor. The Mayor sized UP the
gang, threw aside his oyercoat, pushed his
hands deep into his pockets and walked
boldly out on the platform.
Il heard h3sses and .groans when I en-
tered this hail." he began. .Only
snakes and geese hiss. I have been in
vited to come here and speak and l pro-
pose speaking. l don't care 10 talk to
hoodluns. There are some here and IL
they do not care to hear me now is the
time for them to set out. l do not pro-
pose being interrupted, I win cause any
man who attempts to break up this meet
ing to be arrested. Show me the man
who hisses at a meeting in such a place
as this and 1 viii show you a typical
Democrat
The Mayors determination completely
cowed the rowdies. The Mayors speech
was q bgief one, as he apparently did
not care to try the patience of such a
mob to such an extent. After the May
or spoke he departed. Then bedlam
broke loose again; Counsellor Kiink.
Aaron Baldwin and w. Fl. Speer at
tempted to speak but of no avail. The
mob hoWled. some Haunted their trans
parencies in the faces of the speakers
and assumed such a vicious attitude that
there was fear OF a riot.
The suggestion was made that the
Republicans take one side of the han
while the Bryanites should take the
other. The suggestion was howled down
and again scene of wild disorder took
place Counsellor Klink, who possesses
an abundance of cool nerve. went at the
mob without gloves. He tore Bryan from
stem to stern. He kept up the hot fire
until a movement was made as If to reach
him by the mob The police interfered
and used their Gibbs freely. The presence
alone of the priest of the church prevents
ed the Polshnen who We're present from
sailing into the mob who were Gcsecrat-
ing their place OF worship.
Finally, realizing that ii would be Inn
possible for the meeting TO continue the
Polishmen who had arranged it adjourned
1T. The free silver men were not aware
the meeting was over, and kept up the
disorder. finally carrying It TO such an
extent that Sergeant Quinn summoned
all the policemen on the platform and
warned the mob to disperse4 The ring
leaders paid no attention to the warn
ing until the police started IN to clear
the hall The scene that followed was
nome the Republican speakers never care to
\ gitness again. The gang punched and