The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-02
MAYOR RECEIVES.
Thousands of Citizens Visit
the New City Hall and
Pay Their Respects.
COMPLIMENTS FOB HIS HONOR
Handshaking Severe Ordeal -
Everybody Delighted With
the Reception.


The new City Hall was thrown open TO
the public yesterday. and those who paid
Mayor wanser a complimentary New
Years call win never forget the remark
able scene witnessed. From two o'clock
until after six a steady stream of people
OF all sorts and conditions in life flowed
through the Mayors new private ONCE,
and swept through the corridors and cham
bers. 1t was very satisfied crowd.
There was no kicking, and that was a
new experience for His Honor to receive
visitors who hadn't a grievance.
The idea of opening the new building
on New Years Day originated with the
Mayor. ana with the aid of that very in
defatigable Private Secretary of his. and
the CITY Hall Commissioners, the scheme
resulted in a triumphant success, far sur
passing the widest anticpations. There
was not a thing to mar the proceedings.
Everything went off as smoothly as II
twas a passing show instead of pano-
rama of real life.
At two o'clock in the afternoon the
Mayor took up a position in front of his
DESK and assisting him in receiving Were
the members of the Boards of FL
nance, Police Commissioners, Education,
Assessment Commissioners, Street and
Water Commissioners, and members of
the Aldermanic Board. In the antf-cham-
Der Mr.. Fred Farrell, Clerk of the City
Hall, steered the visitors to the presence
chamber while Commissioner Datz was
here. there and everywhere, fuss.ng about
the lights opening doors, shutting them,
answering thousand and one questions
and generally seeing that no one ran off
with the furniture.
Adjoining the Mayors Office was the
general reception room and here was
stationed Cranmer's orchestra, which dis
coursed most delightful music all day
long. At the doors were stationed two
of the biggest policemen In the city, each
considerably over six feet, and throughout
the corridors and halls officers We're
placed. but their presence wasn't needed
one bit. for never was such an orderly
gathering as that which streamed in and
out for ten solid hours.
AS the visitor entered the Mayor grasped
his or her hand. and had pleasant word
for every one The visitors then passed
into the general reception room, and If he
was man and smoked there was cigar
for him. and If he imbibed there was
plenty of lemonade. but no stick in it.
The first visitors were the officials OF
the city, and every one of them was in
his best bib and tucker and on his best
behavior. Grand juriss, Indictments and
other pleasant features attached to
public Office were for the nonce forgotten
in the general handshaksng. There were
clergymen there too, lawyers and doctors
and dreadful people of that kind; busi-
ress men. dapper young gentlemen with
hair deftly parted in the middle and
smoothed down and carrying enormous
canes, dainty ladies in the swellest gar
ments. humber people in their everyday
clothes and children, and didn't they en-
joy it.
ssHolloa, Mayor" said one sturdy
youngster with mud all over his boots
and accompanied by half a dozen rosy
checked lads of his own size and age.
s.Holloa. feliers,'' replied His Honor,
grasping their hands, s'been playing at
football amt yer?"
ssYep," came the chorus, and the Off
cials, such grave men like Corporation
Counsel Blair, Henry Brautigam and Reu-
ben Simpson, roared with laughter as the
Mayor remarked in a stage whisper that
he was once boy himself and knew all
about it,
A jolly looking German came in next
and he had difficulty In restraining his
admiration for the Mayor. Gripping the
Chief Magistrates hand and in voice
Ike thander he said
.fYoost let dose beeple alretty put up a
Dutchman against you for Mayor, and
we will knock him out UNDER
One man had a dog with him; it was a
.tyaller'' dog. and the beastie wagged its
tail as the Mayor patted its frowsy head.
II.
their pet boys to be introduced and it
didn't matter one bit who 1t was, there
was pleasant general welcome for them,
and they enjoyed it. But the Mayor did
he? After more than ten thousand hearty
shakes of the hand the Mayors fingers
were crushed and blood flowed from the
finger nails, and His Honor was in doubt
which social torture was the more de-
sirable having ones hand shaken or ones
leg pulled
Nevertheless he bore the ordeal well,
for after all 1t was q great compliment to
him and the handshakes though vigorous,
were sincere and well meant.
IF that's the only wise they have
about them said the Mayor jokingly,
and stopped. instantly recalling something
about punS-
When the clock pointed to six and the
reception was at an end the rest to such
energetls people as Secretary Nevin,
who even eclipsed himself In his efforts
to make things pleasant, and those who
assisted in the proceedings, was very
much appreciated.
Yes It was grand day, grand build,
the janitor carefully locking the door
after the last visitor