The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-16

THE CITY CAMPAIGN
Both Parties Preparing for
a Short But Active
Contest.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES NEAR
Colonel Smith Likely TO Head the
Ticket - Aldermanic
Prospects.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES NEAR

The first day of registration was yester-
day, and the several boards throughout
the city were in session from one o'clock
in the afternoon until nine o'clock in the
evening. From information obtained by
City Clerk NJ. ]. O'Donnell, it would ap-
pear that few names were added to the
lists of last fall.
In the spring the registry lists OF the
preceding fall are copied New names
are added either by the personal regis
tration of a voter or by some one register
ing names by affidavits. From the few
new names added to the lists yesterday,
Republicans draw the conclusion that
very little interest is to be taken in the
spring campaign. They hold that this
win be to their benefit and will result in
the election of a Republican Street ana
Water Board Commissioner.
The registry lists of last fall, however,
were considered as nearly complete as 1t
was possible to get them. Those who
registered last fall need have no concern
about the present registration, as their
names will be carried over If it hap
pens that voter has changed his resi-
dence since last November ne may pro-
clre a certificate of transfer from the pre-
cinct in which he voted last fau 10 the
new one in which he lives.
The next and last day of registration
will be next Tuesday. On "Wednesday II
will be possible to ascertain whether fne
lists show an increase. over last 1all OF
not.
The City Committee of both parties are
getting ready for the campaign. The
Republicans. it is said will make a mail
canvass and hold a number of mass meet
ings The Republican Campaign Com
mittee has already engaged public mans
for meetings The Democratic committee
will not waste much money this year on
halls and very few mass meetings Will
be held. An entirely new style OF cam
paign is to be tried by the Democrals.
evening in Fscher's Hall and final ar
rangements for the campaign VIII pc
made at that time. 1t is quite probable
that Mr.. Robert Davis will be chairman
of the Campaign Committee.
The time for filing petitions for noml-
nation for the Street and Water Board,
Aldermen Justice of the Peace and Con-
stable expires at four o'clock on Saturday
next. All petitions must be in the hands
of Secretary P. H. Murphy of the County
Committee at that time. Mr.. Murphy
will receive petitions in the office of the
Surrogate in the Court House. The Demo-
cratic primaries for the election of can
didates will be held on Wednesday, March
%. Colonel Robert D. Smith will. no
doubt win the Street and Water Board
nomination. In the several wards there
will be warm contests for the Alder
manic nominations. The selection of
Aldermanic candidates rests entirely with
the organized ward clubs.
OF the twelve Aldermen retiring, no
less than eleven are Democrats. Ten of
the holdover members, exclusive of the
member-a at-large, are Democrats. SO that
to retain the Board only three Democrats
have to be elected. OF the twelve to be
nomina ted, however, an effort is to be
made to return at least eleven more. The
Eighth ward is the only one in which it
is practically impossible to elect a Demo-
crat. A hot fight is to be made all along
the line.
1t is reported that the Republicans will
conduct mud-slinging campaign.