The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-20
his lack of experience with things 20

/ When Leader Davis learned that he
could not have Feeney reappointed he
kept his hands off. At no time did he
i request the Mayor not to appoint Walter.
The new Commissioner Is Democrat.
and since he has been voter has worked
hard for Democratic nominees. He is
| ono of the youngest men in the city gov
ernment. He was born in the Twelfth
ward in 1865, and has lived there ever
| since. In 1879 he took "a commercial
course at the La Sale Institute, New
York. Subsequently he became watch
maker, his fathers business. He is also
an expert optician. He is a member OF
the Protective Order Of Elks, Arion Sing
/ ing Society, Excelsior Rifle Club, Palma
Club, Mantle Wheelmen Enterprise
| Bowling Club, Royal Arcanum, Fourth
Regiment Veteran Association and
! Pioneer Verein. He is a member OF the
| firm Of A. Walter & Son, jewelers., of
/ Newark avenue, and is married.
| He made his first appearance in the po-
| litical arena in the fan of 1896 when he
/ was nominated for the Assembly. He went
1saown with the ticket. last fall he was
/ nominated again and was elected. His
i appointment as Police Commissioner dates
| from April %. He was appointed for the
! full term of three years. The salary Of
| the office is 81 900 a year. The other
members of the Board are Col. Hugh II.
| Abernethy and Peter M. West, both ex-
treme Republicans. The Board will re-
organize May 2 by re-electing Col. Aber-
nethy, President Next spring Commits
sioner Vests term expires. The Board
! will then become Democratic.
| Mr.. Feeney was among the first to con-
| gratulate his successor Mr.. Feeney will
by no means retire from politics. He
! takes his retirement philosophically.
.sThe Mayor he said, has the right
| to appoint whom he sees fit. If he thinks
I have served long enough as Police Com
missioner that is his affair. Every man
has right to his opinion The entire list
of appointments is a good one. The selec-
| tions I consider wise ones. The gentle-
men are all unquestionably capable of
4 filling their respective offices with honor
and integrity. While my successor is a
young man, he will grow up with the
| position. I think he will make a capable
and efficient Commissioner. 1 feel very
! grateful to all my friends for their kind
words and earnest endeavors in my be-
half. My cause was advocated by some
who I supposed might oppose me. | re-
tire from the Police Board feeling that
have done my whole duty ito the depart
ment and to my party.
Il am anxious that discipline shall be
maintained and it at any time can give
Mr.. Walter any assistance. l will do so
! gladly. The Democracy of the gentlemen
appointed by the Mayor is unquestioned.
I will remain in the Democratic ranks
and continue to fight for the party's s
/ cause
The next fight to that for the Police
Commissionrship was for the Finance
| Commissionerships
| A Democrat and a Republican retired.
They were Henry L. Kellers and Henry
Brautigam, respectively. Both gentle
men are pleased that their official ca
reers have terminated. They went into
the Board at the earnest solicitation of
Mayor Wanser and both declare they re-
gret they ever consented to take office.
To succeed the retiring members, the
party leaders wanted ex-Finance Com
missioner George N. Peterson and Fire
Commissioner John J. Cone appointed.
The Mayor at no time bubbled over with
enthusiasm about the gentlemen He did
not say he would not appoint nor did
was rife as to who would be named. My
ron Furst was for time regarded as
serious possibility Andrew J. Corcoran
next made his appearance on the horizon.
Frank Gallery was the next man to lay
claim for recognition. John j. voorhees,
was soon classed among the aspirants.
John Edelstein was entered in the race.
| Jacob Ringle next sauntered in. Follow
ing him came General William Heppen-
heimer Last but not least came John A.
Walker of the Dixon Crucible Company.
The Mayor was in quandary He had
too much excellent timber to choose from.
In the midst of the trouble, Appeals
Commissioner John Mehl loomed UP. Mr..
Mehl retired shortly afterward. The
others remained in the arena 1t was
| anybody's race until last night.
Heppenheimer and Walker were then
decided upon. This morning Mr.. Walker
retired and Jacob Ring'le was substituted
There was some doubt as to whether Mr..
Ringle would accept an appointment to
the Board When asked this morning if
he would accept he said:-"If General
Heppenheimer has been appointed will.
accept He is a gentleman. Some men
have been mentioned for Finance Com
missioners whom I would not sit with. I
have not been notified of my appointment
as yet but will accept
The Board will now be favorable to the
Hoos administration The members are
Messrs. Heppenheimer and Midlige,
Democrats; Bailey, Independent Demo-
crat, and Ringle and Simpson, Republic
cans. The Board will reorganize May 2.
General Heppenheimer will doubtless be
elected the presiding officer. Martin
Finck. the present clerk, is candidate
for re-appointment. Alexander Schles-
singer is also a candidate for the place
and so is Michael Kelleher former clerk
of the Circuit Court. Kelleher may win.
Who will be assistant clerk, to succeed
Winfield Dunn, is not known. There are
dozen candidates for the office.
The Finance Commissioners were APP
pointed for three years. The salary of
the Office is $500 a year.
General Heppenheimer was born in New
York City, March q, 1858. and is lawyer
by profession, practicing in this State
and New York He was educated at Hell
delberg, Germany, and graduated from
the Harvard Law School and Columbia
pointed him an aide -de-camp on his mill
tary staff with the rank of colonel
Mr.. Heppenheimer served four terms in
the Legislature. In 1889 he was leader
Of the House. and in that capacity dis
tinguished himself. In 1890 he was Speak