The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-16
ARF
WAR HURTING POLITICS.
Jerseymen Too Busy Over
the Conflict to Make
Up States.
CAMPAIGN RUNNING ITSELF.
Still Someone Must Work for
Delegates and Some Pro-
gress Is Being Made.
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city News.vl

teSSlonal pout1elan HHuS II sfy N
cult to pursue his vocation just now. oW-
ing to the war excitement. The war,
instead of politics, is now the principal
topic of discussion in all parts OF the
State. The farmer and mechanic as
wen as the merchant and manufacturer
are deeply interested in the progress OF
events. and the names of Dewey, Samp-
son and Schley are ever uppermost on
their tongues. 1t is rather a reIieI 10
find war heroes the subjects for aduia-
ton instead of the candidates Tor poll
cal office. Yet the undercurrent OF poil-
tics cannot be well suppressed. Pros
pective candidates for Governor are not
forgotten and during the summer months
their merits and dement's will pc anai-
wed SO that by the time the poHtlcai
conventions are called a line OF actlon
will have been determined which VIII
~foretell the result of the poles in Novem-
Der.
All politicians are patriots nowadays
In all circles a unanimity prevalis Win
regard to the prosecution OF the war
which leaves no doubt as to the ioyaity
of one party or the other Democrats
az wen as Republicans. Rrohibitlonists'
ponulists and Socialists are eager to
fight for the glorificati ton of the nag ana
for tho freedom of Cuba It would seem,
then, that any attempt to make poiltical
capital out Of the manner of ~conductihs
the war would prove a failure. None mas
vet been tried and the future alone can
determine whether the politicians VIII
embark on that sea of speculation.
But despite the war, the political cam
paign must be fought. A Governor must
be~eleeted and also a Legislature, Whicn
udl, choose a successor to Senator
Smith. State issues, no doubt, VIII con-
troll the contest for the former once.
while National problems may pc M
jected into the struggle for the latter.
The Republicans hope TO maintain tnelr
capital on the financial question. They
aatter themselves with the belief that
the Democrats cannotsescape from a quar-
rel over the making of their platform, be-
cause the followers of Bryan will insist
upon a ratification of the principles pro-
claimed by the Chicago Convention. Sucn
action on tho part Of the State Conven-
ton. it is claimed, would still ALLEVIATE
the Gold Democrats from the ticket and
the disaster OF 1886 would be repeated. A
BRYAN platform would demand the nomi-
nation Of q Gubernatoria candidate of
the same stripe. A Gold Democrat would
not stand upon a silver platform. An
ENHANCEMENT k that is what the Re
publicans eagerly expect, n should 1T
occur they might reasonably hope for
another victory.
Leading Democrats when asked their
opinions as to the Trospect for the tri-
umoh of their party 10 not touch the
money question at all. They believe that
1t will not be made an issue in the cam
paign on their side and that the rank and
file will all get together in good time and
produce a platform and a candidate which
VIII arouse enthusiasm and command the
support of every good Democratic voter.
Senate DAILY said the other day that he
did not apprehend any trouble in the
Democratic Convention. He felt sure that
sweet harmony would prevail in the coun-
ellis of the leaders and that the next
Governor would be a loyal Democrat. He
said the Gubernatorial bee still flutters in
his bonnet and that his chances for the
nomination were much brighter than some
people believed Still, if he was not sue
cessful he would abide by the result of
the convention, and no matter who was
nominated be would be found, as usual,
in the forefront of the fray, battling for
the election of the ticket. In any event
as to the outcome. for the Gubernatorial
nomination he felt certain that his name
would be on the tickle in Hudson county.
He was so assured by MT. Davis and
other leaders. From the tone of his con-
versation the Inference was deduced that
he would be a candidate for Congress.
The Senate freely expressed his opinion
that young Leon Albeit would not be
nominated for State Senator in Hudson.
He gave no reason for it, although he
was emphatic in his prediction. There is
no mistaking the fact that Mr.. Davis
controls his party in Hudson and that
no mar can be nominated for a county
office against his wishes.
Larry Pagan may nave full SWAY in
Hoboken politics, but when 1T comes to
the county cit large he is a mere shadow
in the pathway of the man Of small
Physique, it is true, but of gigantic head
as a politician all the same.
On State issues alone Hudson count is
considered good fer a Democratic major
ity of not less than 1908. Perhaps that
county may claim the Nomination for
Governor. If 1t does these will be a
lively tussle in the State Convention, But
until he is heard from Essex county will
be permitted to have It's way in pushing
Elyin ". Crane to the front.
The Essex County Democrats are try
ing to strengthen their fortress by SCOOP
ing in all the offices now held by Republi-
cans In the gift Of the Newark Board of
WOIdS. ildL DOGy Is now controlled by
the Democrats, and the ukase has been
issued that every Republican ofice~holder
must walk the plank, and in a week or
scarce as hens teeth. The Democrats
claim that this wholesale decapitation De-
ours at an opportuue time-on the eve Of
a great ampaigr-which the much need
ed sinews of war can be raised by levying
assessments on the new ofiiceholders. It
is estimated that the salary list foots up
about $250,000 a year Ten per cent. of
that for Campaign purposes would net
SIS, 900.
With the prestige of recent victories
and with all the local Offices In their keep
ing, the Essex Democrats expect to make
a great conquest mex November. They
fel proud of their standing in the party.
and their leaders are firm in their refusal
to play second fiddle to Hudson county.
They must be placed upon an equal foot
ing, at the least, or else there will be war
to- the knsfe The Hudson County Demo-
Gratis are we'll fortified, also with offices.
Everyone, county and municipal. is under
their control. And there is no danger Of
any slipping away. These counties will
control the Democratic State convention.
They Will dictate the platform and the
candidate for Governor. and all the other
counties must take the dose prescribed,
even IL unpalatable.
swath in the State convention. They
have heretofore been RELOCATED to an in
ferior position, owing to sdissensions in
their ranks. and history is likely to re-
peat itself at the next State gathering
of the party. They shouI try to emu
late the example set Them by their
Democratic friends by getting together