The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-08-31
CUMDERLAND'S ROW
Republicans of That County
Have a Red Hot Fight
Over the Senatorship.
FIRST CONVENTION NEXT WEEK
Senator Stokes Laying Pipe Lines
for Q Third Term But the HO-
bart Club Is Against Him.
rsoee,aa 70 ..Tae Jersey city Nows."l

Especial to ssThe Jersey City News."l
TRENTON, Aug. 81, 1Sg7.-The first Re
publican convention in the State VIII take
place today in Bridgeton, when the re
publican County Convention will be neiu
to nominate q Coroner and generally as
cuss politics. The Assembly Convention
of this county is also the first TO be can
ed, the date being fixed for September D.
The announcement OF the date OF THESE
two conventions has brought the sup9ecl
of politics directly before the people. me
interest IN the fight at this time Is De-
cause a test is to be made OF Inc
strength of the two elements or the Ne
publican party now combating for SUI
premacy. If a Cumberland county leader
is asked about the Republican factions
he would deny that any existed, out'
nevertheless, there is in Cumberland d
funny and ridiculous factional disturb
ance. Even those who are mixed up IN
1t are beginning to laugh themselves. Inc
question of the hour is the successor 10
Senator Edward C. Stokes. There are
several anxious to grab up the purple
toga when the Senator is through with
1t, but the joke of the situation is unat
the senator has made up his mind that
he will endeavor to wrap 1t ABOUT MS
shoulders for another three years. There
are some who say that this he cannot do,
and others who proclaim hat this ne
shall not do. The little Senator mas,
therefore, thrown down the gauntlet TO
those who have set themselves up as po-
ntical censors.
There was in the city of Bridgeton a
political organization known as the Car
ret A. Hobart Club. 1t only carried the
name of the Vice President a short time,
being better known as the Thomas Reed
Association. When the Paterson states
man became the running mate of Mckin-
ley, they decided to use his name to eff
feet a strong organization, and to conJure
within politics. The prospectus included a
broad gauge organization of limited mem
bership and it was SO arranged that every
township and town should be represented,
and tina its council should be shrouded
IN secrecy, and those whom the o~rganiza-
tion should anoint were those to whom
the gifts of both State and National pa
tronage should be given. In these secret
councils they selected the men for POST
masters and other offices. and to some ex-
tent they were successful. 1t became a
playful byword around town that only
those Endorsed by the Hobart Club dare
expect any appointments.
Then there arose men of Independent
spirit who challenged the right of the
eeers of the Hobart Club to dictate in pol
itics. They nursed their wrath and ex-
hibited 1t ct regular intervals and the sun
of the Republican party In Bridgeton be-
came spotted The Hobart Club died, and
though the exact date of its demise is
unknown, the Impression prevails that it
was scared to death. 1t is stated that one
night there was q secret conference of the
club when the Cedarville Postoffice n
the Ccllastorship Of the Port of Bridgeton
were decided on. There was a full meet
ing and the session was long n con-
vivfel. When the members left the club
there was found posted on the door this
notice.