The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-04
THE VANSER WAR;
General Sewell Poo Poohs Con-
gresham MeEwan's OPP
position in the P M.
Fight.


WASHINGTON. April 4. 1S9S.-senator
seweli said before leaving the city that
the rumored charges against General
Peter f. Wanser, indorsed BY him for
Postmaster at Jersey City. amounted to
nothing. He expressed the opinion that
the Endorsements and the candidate were
all that could be required. and that Cen
eraI Wanser would receive the nominal
ton. 1t was said by some New Jersey
men that the charges, so far as they are
known, are the result of political and
personal bitterness. and cannot stand ex-
animation.
Representative McEwan said thai
charges would be brought to the personal
attention OF the President. He said that
he would do this himself, and he further
stated that he would make determined
opposition to the appointment of Wanser.
General Sewell is equally firm. A friend
Of Wanser said today:-"Senator Sew
ell will stand up and press the nomina-
ton because it is obviously demanded by
the Republicans of Jersey City. He is
greatly influenced, of course, by the fact
that the city and county organizations of
the party ask it. Not only have they en-
dorsed General Wanser. but the leading
business men, the prominent lawyers and
many other citizens have signed his pa
pers. l cannot off-hand give all their
names. Among them, however, are the
Supreme Court Justices for that section
of the State, Justices Collins and Lippin-
colt, the Lorillards, Colgate and Mathie-
sen, representing respectively great to-
bacco, soap and sugar refining indus
tries
1t has been thought by some persons
here that there might be a compromise
eventually by which the Postmastership
at Hoboken might go to the nominee of
either the Senator or the Representative,
and the Postmastership at Jersey City to
the other, but it can be stated definitely
that no such understanding is likely or
has ever been proposed by the Senator or
Representative. The battle, it is prob
able, will be fought to the finish.
Representative McEwan says that he is
contending for the appointment of a Re-
publican Of suitable character and stand
ing, and that he has always been ready
TO agree upon any man of this description.
Up to the time he left here Friday he had
not indicated his preference.
AAaA nv Oi4A1 IAAoN
General Wanser answers the description,
but that he has the great advantage of
the support of the party organizations
and of influential citizens outside of the
Republican committees. Thu it stands.
Something has been said of Mr.. Wan
ser's official relations to the militia or
ganization of the State of New Jersey.
He is a Brigadier General, commanding
one of the two brigades of the National
Guard. 1t has been pointed out that if
there should be a var with Spain the
Guard would take the field, the
General would lave to resign either the
Postmastership or the Brigadier General
ship. To this the reply is mad that war
is not certain to be declared, and it is
not absolutely sure, If it IS, that. the
Guard will have to leave the State. If it
Is used only as a reserve or home defence
force, it will not be necessary to resign
the civil office.
Referring to the Jersey City postoffice
matter this afternoon, the Postmaster
General said:--.I have given the subject
some consideration. But II cannot say
when L can send the nomination to the
President. He has before him a large
batch of nominations. A few days g
1 asked if he had a moment to spare from
greater matters to deyote to some of
these, III he declared he did not rave for
even a moment for the present to spare
on anything except the Cuban question.
Both Hoboken and Jersey City are i'm
portant places. L viii say that I have
made up my mind to one of them, but
cannot state to you what a recon-
mended. It is the unvarylng rule of the
department to keep such things secret I'M
til action is taken by the President. and
we are not at liberty to give out the in
d~orsements. except that, sometimes,
when asked. we send them to the Senate
for use in executive session."