Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1898-09-28

IL rs StiIc ~ soy thot III nv OohN'
County in the State Of New Jersey
would the political bosses dare
outrage and defy public sentiment az
they did at Saturdays Convention
There was no interest, either public
or private, that called for the renom
ination of Mr.. Ashley for the Assemb
ly. On the contrary, the best ano
most conservative Republicans, all
over the County, viewed with alarm
the mere mention of his name for the
important Office for which he so sig.
nally failed to show one single reason
why he should be accorded a second
term. They hoped the Convention
would voice the popular discomfort
and refnse him a denomination, for
it would have been infinitely less
hazardous than the course pursued.
In the whole political history of the
County there has never been a more
conspicuous failure than that OF Mr.,
Ashley. That he has been obedient
to the orders of the bosses there is
no doubt, even to the extent OF
ignoring and betraying those who,
unfortunately for themselves. con-
tributed their time, money and in
fluence to pull him through last year,
f0e hundred 0otes behind his ticket!
Ought such a man to be again
placed in a position where he can
repeat such ingratitude and swamp
the party ticket in the bargain ? We
think not.
He has been signally honored, but
what act can even his best friends
point to that would warrant the
Republican party of Atlantic County
in carrying such load for the second
time, or in the least. atone for his
cold-blooded contempt for former
friends ?
Had he been gifted with ordinary
foresight, he might have known that
his course, in alternating SO many
friends, was bound to weaken the
party, and work injury to the County
he SO feebly represented but in his
haste to take orders" from those
who at heart despise him, and only
desire to- USE him for selfish purposes
he seems to have lost sight of all
political prudence. Will the tax
payers and land owners again put
him in a position to do them further
harm :? We think not.
Convention is a good one, and de
serves the support of the Republicans
of the County.
The Press is a newspaper-and
a Republican to the ack-bone-but
it is first for the people and their
rights, and it will stand up for them
against the rings, though the
Heavens fall. While our personal
choice for Senator was Samuel III,
Kelly, the bosses for once in theil
lives, went out of their way, to
support against him, q man of good
character, integrity and recognized
ability. He has been tried, and
unlike Mr.. Ashley, not found wanting
As County Clerk, the most important
office in the County, he made a record
that he and his friends can point to
wi h satisfaction and pride. He was
no mans subservient henchman, no,
is he today. He owes the "bosses'
nothing, and they needed his name
to conjure with, more than he needed
them. To what extent he will bt
weakened by Mr.. Ashley's nominal
ion remains to be seen.
AS to Samuel FL. Kelly, his friends
are proud of him, and of their associ
alton with them. He was lied tC
and deceived by those who, in some
instances, owe to him-th bread they
eat, but he still remains a manly mar
and his defeat is not SO much OF q loss
to him, as it is to tie party and the
County.
What course he and his friends viii
take, we do not know, but this mucf
we do know, that without Samue
H. Kelly and his friends, and theil
best efforts. the ticket is in great
danger of defeat. Such, we believe
is fair statement of the situation al
it stands to-day, and for it the worst
element in the party is responsible.
Later on in the Campaign we shal
have more to say about it.
Notice.
Notice is hereby given that the regular
Democratic Caucus will be held ia Couu