The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-21
PEENEY INDICATED
His Accuser, Foley, Asked
to Withdraw the Charges
He Had Made.
WITNESS DoNELAN ABSENT
He Makes a Statement Saying His
Name Was Used Without
Authority.

Police commissioner jOnn r eeHSJ
was not expelled from the Democratic
County Committee last night. On the
other hand the members of the Executive
Committee, after having read what 'The
Jersey City News" had to say on the en-
tertainment of charges against such a
sterling Democrat, discreetly yindicated
him
The whole proceeding resolved Itself in
to farce the like of which has not been
witnessed in Democratic politics for some
time
An interesting feature of the affair
which leaked out this morning, is that
Barney Foley, who preferred charges
against Mr.. Feeney. used Counsellor
Donelan's name as witness without
authorization.
When the Executive Committee was
called to order every member was pres
ent. The case of Frank Dougherty, a
committeeman of the Fifth ward, was
called first. 1t was alleged that he me-
elected to work IN his precinct on election
day; that he imbibed too freely; slept too
much, and finally displayed marked in
competence for precinct committeeman.
Dougherty made a feeble excuse. 1t was
concluded by the committee tnat the pre-
cinct went Republican because of Dough-
erty'S actions. Decision was reserved,
and 1t is understood that Dougherty Is to
be asked to retire from the committee.
The next case called was that of Mr.
Feeney. The accused gentleman respond
ed at once. His accuser, Barney Foley.
who Is practically unknown in politics,
was on hand, and rather sheepishly re-
marked that in the absence Of his princi-
pal witness, James Donelan, he would be
unable to prove anything. He asked that
he be permtuped to withdraw the charge
he had made.
Before the charge is Withdrawn in
terposed Mr.. Feeney, 81 insist upon being
heard"
Foley demonstrated, and some of the
members of the committee thought 1t un-
necessary for Mr. Feeney to speak, mas
much as the charge had been withdrawn.
Il have some rights" said Mr.. Feeney,
"a.nd l win be heard. I defy any man IN
this county to say that am not a Demo-
crat or that I have ever been disloyal to
the party. There is more behind this
contemplate proceeding than the mere
making Of charges. The man who prompt
ed this seeks only to injure my political
reputation in the State. 1t has been sent
broadcast that l have been a traitor and
I am here prepared to disprove that
charge The men who put up this game
nave been working in the ranks of the op-
posite party when l have spent time,
money and energy in bringing about DEM
0cratic success. / am a Democrat and a
loyal one, and there are men in this conn
When work for the party work hon
estly and fairly and my efforts are usually
4 crowned with success. / never seek to
cause disruption nor have I such a big
head tflatI have or ever viii. sought to
dispose from leadership any man who
brings success to the party. 1t makes me
sick, however. to see men, tricksters more
properly. trying every means in their
power to injure people, stabbing their best
friends in the back to gray an ambi-
tion. Our party is full OF such traitors
that I am telling the truth. When 1 am
disloyal to the party will confess and
no upstart will have to make charges
against me-"
Mr.. Fecney sailed into several men who
have been knitting him without mention
ing their names. While he was speaking
his accuser Foley acted as though he was
about as uncomfortable as any human be-
ing could be.
The committee vindicated Mr. Feeney
and he departed.
This morning Counsellor Donelan was
seen by a News reporter He made
1.-The following statement
Some days after Barney Foley, at a
meeting of the County Committee,
charged that John P. Feeney had worked
at the polls for Wanser and Lane, he
(Foley) sent for me- He said it Iwas COM
mon rurnor that Feeney had asked me to
vote for Wanser and Lane and asked me
to be a witness against Feeney for it, At
I
of mime that l knew nothing against him
and would not be a party to any scheme
to prefer charges against him. To my
surprise ! received a letter from the sec
retary of the Executive Committee yester-
day informing me that my presence was
desired at a meeting of the committee to
be held in the evening, and further that
j was to be a witness against Mr.. Feeney.
AS | had authorized no one to use my
name and ] know absolutely nothing
about Mr.. Feeney's actions, ! did not at
tend the meeting. The use of my name
was q contemplate trick and one which
must be explained / have talked with
Foley, and the only satisfaction I can get
from him is that common rumor said
Feeney had asked me to vote for Wanser
and Lane 1t is nobody's business If he
did. Mr.. Feeney is a Democrat of the
prcper stripe and his accuser and others
do not want to lese sight of that fact"
The Executive Committee heard the
charge Of incompetency against Frank
Canfield of the Fifth Ward after Mr.
Feeney retired. Decision was reserved in
his case, and the same course was pur-
sued in the case of Frank lie Point of
Hcboken.
The case against jeremiah Murphy. who
was accused of working against Michael
Kenny for Freeholder in the Second Ward
was abandoned. Mr. Murphy's term ex-
pres next month. and it was deemed wise
by the committee to allow him to pass out
quietly rather than expel and compel him
to join the ranks Of the Republicans.