New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-13
THE CHARTER ELECTIONS.
A FIERCE POLITICAL BATTLE IN MANY
NEW-JERSEY TOWNS

ELECTING MAYOR LEBKUECHER-A STIFF
OPPOSITION TO JOHN c. RANKIN. JR.
IN ELIzABETH-EXcIsE MATTERS
AND LOCAL AFFAIRS THE
BONE OF CONTENTION
Charter elections will be held tomorrow In
most Of the cities Of New-Jersey. and on &C
count OF this being the year for the National
election there Is more than an ordinary amount
CT interest manifested. Newark. the metropolis
Of the State attracts TIE most attention. as 1t
is generally conceded that upon the present
election the result next fall will to a great de-
gree depend. The Hght between Republicans and
Democrats In the other cities is also spirited, and
while local affairs are alleged to be the basis
Of the campaigns 1t is nevertheless true that the
National election has considerable to do with
them.
NEWARK DEMOCRATS WITHOUT FUNDS.
THEIR DILEMMA CAUSES REPUBLICANS TO FEEL
SURE OF VICTORY.
The charter election in Newark tomorrow attracts
the attention Of the whole State as 1t La felt that
the result will have an important bearing on the
State election In November
Two years ago Mayor Lebkuecher. the present
executive was elected James N. Seymour.
Democrat by 237l to 1859. and an entire Board OF
five Republican Commissioners OF Public Works was
elected by about the same majority.
Last year Seymour was one OF the eleven Demo-
cratic candidates for the Assembly. and. although
badly beaten with the rest of his party ticket In the
county he carried the city by small majority.
The reason for this that many hundreds OF
Newark Republicans scratched the name OF Re
publican candidate because he had been saloon
keeper. and voted IN preference for Seymour The
latter was renomnated for Mayor by the Democrats
this year on the strength Of the Fictitious majority.
and In the hope that the quarres OF the admins
tration Republicans supporting Mayor Iebkuechers
business methods and the tiadministra ton lead
opposing him before his nomination will lead to
a serious detection Of the Republican vote at the
polls. This hope already proves illusory as Com
missioner Stainsby. John Eisele and others who
have been opposed to the Mayor are working tooth
ard NALL for his election. The Democratic plan also
Is to capture the two Commssionerships Of the
Board Of Works and elect third Commissioner next
year. which viii give them the majority in the most
important governing board OF the city. II they
get the Mayor too. the city government will then
be In their hands In April. 1897.
There Is however. a more general object TO be OBJ
tanned Newark Is one OF the largest manufactur-
ing cities OF the country. and II is the largest city
of New-Jersey II 1t should 90 Democratic to-mor-
row. that fact will be trumpeted ABROAD throughout
the country evidence Of a reaction in favor OF
Democratic tariff reform" United States Senator
Smith has visited the city several times consult
with the party managers. and ne returned again
Friday. and is now at his home. practically directing
the party operations. The ticket nominated has
only native Americans on 1t, and this 1t is SAID
was due to the Senator's suggestion to disarm or
even capture the A. p. A vote. and nculcate a
prejudice against the German element Of the popu-
lation. The Democratic speakers were also carefully
instructed to make reference TO the tariff
partisan. National or State questions in their
speeches SO that the Democratic candidates might
not lose the advantage Of the votes OF Republicans
dissatisfied with the party organization locally. II
the returns tomorrow night shall show a Demo-
cratic victory. the claim will be instantly put forth
that the contest was really on National lines with
the tariff issue in sight. and that the victory was
really a Democratic free-trade triumph in city
largely devoted to manufacturing and having
population Of 10000 mechanics.
Another definite object Of the Democratic leaders
Is to effect a permanent breach In the Republican
organization. Republican defeat tomorrow
would lead to charges OF treachery: 1t would array
Republican against Republican and destroy the
party usefulness Of some OF the most active and
valuable leaders. II would provoke revenges from
which the Democrats might profit In the fall cleo
lion when a Senator. eleven Assemblymen.
Sheriff. and other local candidates are to be voted
for In addition to Congressman and Presidential
electors All this is deliberately calculated upon
by the Democratic managers
Now to prospects. The Republicans declare
that they will carry the city by a majority ranging
from 1000 10 5000 No estimate goes below 1900.
One OF the most conservative and experienced Of
the Republican leaders Commissioner Van Duyne.
estimates the majority at $500. The odds In the
betting all on Republican majorities. Demo-
Gratis only Calm to have hopes OF carrying the city.
and they confess that these hopes are based mostly
on Republican disaection with the administration.
They give no figures or estimate The only can
ay d 4y he feel 1sr% e p ,
be cut by many Democrats because he has been in
OF century. and belongs TO the SILK Stocking
element OF the party.
All the city departments that formerly contributed
their votes and patronage to Democratic candidates
are now under Republican control. The contractors
and corporations that were also manipulated 20
Democratic politicians and their influence and money
are los, to them. The station vote numberins
cratic panic made IT Republican. and 1t can be re-
He'd on. The German-American vote was two
publican moW For m years the pe%oersc ward
workers were accustomed TO receiving large
amounts Of money on Election Day. As this money
is not forthcoming now in amounts large enough to
satisfy them. they are lukewarm Thousands OF me
baser sort were accustomed also TO receiving y
they refrained from voting. In one voting precinct
last year. according TO the statement OF Demo
leader In me - to the os
1s lack Dsssn is also
Democratic organ succumbed In December. 1894 for
lack OF support. Democratic campaign documents
In the advertising columns OF other local papers at
space rates.
the two Years. 1 admniseratiOn Of Mayor Lebkaecher
the funded debt Of the city has been increased by
nearly Ave millions Of new debt. statement taken
deb, Of the city had been decreased about $4,000
economies aggregating many thousands OF dollars