The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-03-31

came in 1881.
Mr. Cleveland's political career began
in 1861, when he was elected to the Board
of Aldermen of this city. He was Presi-
dent of the Board in 1862. In 1864 he was
elected Mayor and again in 1865 and 1866.
He then declined a denomination. Dur
ing the close of his service as Chief
Magistrate. his political enemies at
tempted to stir up scandal over the oper-
ations of the Committee on Enlistments
of the Board of Aldermen, and especially
in regard to the active part taken by
Mayor Cleveland in these operations On
February 8, 1866, ex-Mayor Charles H.
O'Neill introduced a series of resolu-
tions in the Board. which were uuani-
mously adopted, setting forth that 1.-THE
people of this city are mainly indebted
to the active exertions of Mayor Cleve-
land for relief under these drafts" They
set forth that he had borne all his own
expenses and accepted no compensation
for these services. The thanks of the
Board and the community were therefore
bestowed upon him, and the resolutions
were ordered published in the city papers.
Apropos of this matter, it may be mem
toned as an odd fact that Jersey City
has credit balance OF soldiers in her
favor the next time Uncle Sam issues a
draft, fact which is said to be due to
Orestes Clevelands recruiting operations.
In 1868 he was elected 20 Congress from
a district which then embraced both
Newark and Jersey City. He served
through one term with high honors He
took most active part in the proceed
ings, and among his set speeches We're
addresses on Naturalization" the
Patent Laws" the Income Tax RE
vival of American Tonnage" and on
Paying the $40 Bonds in Gold.'' His
speech upon the Naturalization bill was
a masterpiece of liberal thought, in
which he showed the value of the influx
of population to the country, and his
appeal in behalf of poor inventors was
successful against a committee report
in favor of the enhancement of Patent
Office fees.
The late Daniel J. Morrell of Pennsyl-
vania was Chairman of the Committee
ON Manufactures in the Forty-first Con-
gress, and Cleveland was member of
the minority party in the, committee.
The majority presented an elaborate re-
port in favor of higher tariff. Cleve-
land wrote the minority report and so
completely used up the majority pre-
sentiment that it was Intellectual even as
campaign document. On the last day
of the session, Morrell printed in the
"Globe," as an answer, a new campaign
document in the form of a speech, which,
however, he had never delivered He
thought it too late for Mr.. Cleveland to
reply. That proved a mistake. The Jer-
the emergency and a second time ruined
MorrelPs buncombe oratory with a clear
and complete refutation.
In March, 1869, Mr.. Cleveland intro
duced in Congress the resolution which
led up to the Centennial Exposition in
Philadelphia. In recognition of this fact
he was appointed a member of the Gem
tennial Commission, was chosen its First
Vice President, and was one of the lead
ing figures in all it's deliberations.
n ic
fought in 1871, when Joseph D. Bedle was
the choice of the State House Ring for
the Democratic nomination for Governor.
From his position on the bench. Judge
Bedle had antagonized some of Cleve-
lands schemes and earned his enmity.
Cleveland now determined to have re-
venge and secured it by picking out
Joel Parker, the old war time Governor
of the State. The coup was carefully.
prepared. Various delegates hostile to
the State House Managers were pledged
to stand by favorite sons in the conven-
ton until Cleveland gave the word by
mentioning the name of Parker. Then
there was to be rush for him, and his
nomination was to go with a sweep.
1t all went as It had been planned. Col
onel William c. Alexander was about to
announce the result of a ballot nominat-
ing Bcdle when Orestes took the floor
1.-THE Chair is about to announce the
result of a ballot" said Colonel w. c.
ton. For what purpose does the dele
gate from Hudson desire the f1oor?''
''ro make a last effort for harmony"
was the reply.
The managers thought it was a surren-
der, and they let Cleveland make his
speech: 1t was fatal blunder- He made
q rafting speech, at 4 the close Of which
gates broke into a roar of applause There
was stampede, and the victory was won
by the Hudson leader. bsfore his adver-
saries GIssa sneW egavs5a what t. had strlk them
of Mayor of Jersey City for 1876 He
wished to be Centennial Mayor Henry
Traphagen was entitled by party usage to
upon Cleveland for depriving him of it.
at the polls. and the result was the elec-
ton of Mayor Charles Siedier.
to be. candidate for delegate to the Ma
tional Democratic Convention which nom
mated IN Samuel ] Tlden for President at
also coveted this honor It is said a
deal was made by which Albeit was given
the seat and Cleveland was to ,be made a
member me aisa OF ,, the = National Committee. He
Ross was named by Albeit for the position
which he. has held ever since. For this
preach preach 2. OF COZ contract. Cleveland avenged
time to have walk-over for the Guber-
Material nomination
The story of how the name of George
T. Mcclellan was sprung upon the Con-
vention has been often told It is FOO
long for rehearsal here; but It may be said
that 1t was entirely the product of Cleve-
iand's fertile brain. and it confirmed for
the rest of their lives the bitter ennftv
Albeit.
Abbett's turn came in 1880. He might
have been a candidate h6mself 1bnt
wrote a letter positively withdrawing
Then Cleveland went to work with LAVISH
use of all his ability. and his then great
tnancial resources. The Convention was
held on September !. On its eve it was
plain to- the most casual observer that
And yet Trenton was flooded with liter,
ature assailing every act of his public
life. At this stage it was announced thai
Leon Albeit hal been selected to pre-
side. over the Convention. This was
bombshell. Albeit had gone to Trenton
and made terms with hts lesser enemies
OF the State House ring to get this OPP
portunity. to square accounts with his
dearest foe. He pledged his honor that
under no circumstances would he allow
himself to be nominated, and George c.
ludlow was selected as tine man to beat
Cleveland.
The ngnt was a bitter one. 1t began
but regular delegates. Then the unit rule
was enforced. Albeit resisted a stamp
ede in his own favor. Then he ruled out
on the ground of error a ballot in which
Cleveland had decided advantage Bal
lot after ballot was taiSen and finally
the Convention gave way to the iron
nomination of its chairman, and George
G. Ludlow was proclaimed ire nominee
This was Orestes 'Cleveland's S Waterloo
From thence, the story of his life is a
sad tale of decadence. He had embarked
in a huge land speculation which re-
suited in his ruin. He had secured an
option on tract of land known as the