The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-30
D|CkINSON'S FAREWELL.
The Colonel Says He Will
Desert Politics For
Private Business.
CHANGES IN JERSEY CITY BOARDS
Major Lentz TO Be Appointed
Prosecutor Of
Essex
CHANGES IN JERSEY CITY BOARDS

morning, that Major Lentz did drop N
to see me on Wednesday last That sent
for him for the sole purpose of discussing
politics or possible legislation is not 50.
The Major often calls on me, and when |
| am in Newark I usually go to see him. 1t
is quite natural, I think, that we fall to
the discussion of political oqtlooks.
What is there in the talk about reor-
ganizing the Board of Freeholders?" 2" The
Colonel was asked.
TT is all talk" was the answer. SEN
ator McDermott may talk about abolish
ing the present Board all he wishes. /
am not saying anything about the advis-
| ability of reducing the size of the present
Board, but the proposition is impraetiea<
BILE Out in Newark, or rather Essex
county, the Board of Freeholders is a
| regular pet baby The Board is made up
of good men. and they each take keen
interest in the good management of af-
fairs. Every member leaves no stone un-
turned. to secure good roads for mis- par
ticular district. The members work to-
gether tremendously and every propesi-
tion to abolish the Board Will meet with
violent opposition from Essex. It looks
to me very much as though the people of.
the county would have to carry the pres
ent Freeholder burden. Essex will never
give us any relief. in that direction. Es-
| sex would oppose the appointment Of a
commission or even the election of Free
holder commission. ] think it is safe to
assume that there viii be no alteration
in our present form of county govern
ment.'
Colonel Dickinson was asked about the
reported appointment of Major Lentz as
Prosecutor of Essex.
Il am speaking authoritatiyely when I
say that the Major viii be the next Pros
ecutor of Essex. / am not basing my as
sertien on anything the Major sold me
or even hinted. i know it from men well
up in the party councils"
rs there any opposition to hin because
he opposed the nomination Of Voorhees,
81 think not was the reply. t'The
Major merely opposed Voorhees, in the
convention. When Voorhees, won. Major
Lentz was with him tooth and nail. No
man in the party did more earnest work
for Governor Voorhees, than did Majors
Lentz. The appointment of Prosecutor is
a well deserved. weil earned reward. I
think the appointment wilL be entirely
satisfactory to the party leaders and to
the party workers of Essex county,
'Will there be any legislation looking
to your continuance in the Office of City
Treasurer" the Colonel was asked.
None whatever" wass the answer, 81
am not half as anxious to hold this office
as some people seem inclined to believe
Are you going to retire FROM Official
life?.
= may. but you see there is this in The
way 1 have been elected to the County
Committee for two years, and it would
hardly be fair for me to desert my con-
stituents at this time"
rs it true that you have a government
tai office in view?'
mo, it. is not was the answer. when
I've finished with this Office 1 am going
into something new, an Independent, midi
vidual enterprise, something that will en-
gage my mind ana attention. | am not
at liberty just now TO say what the new
venture viii be. At any rate there will
be no politics in it. One rather grows
tired of being shifted from One political
office to another
'Will you make any effort to keep con
troll of the City Hall Commission
Not by long shot. The Democrats
may have thai body whenever they wish
I'm tired of it. 1t is a nuisance. The
only man who is interested in that COM
mission is Mr.. Datz and guess he VIII
have to fight his own bat.les.a
Have you any plans for the abolition of
Board now in control of Degnoerats?r
y nave not, nor have the Republicans.
do not believe there will be any great
curtailInent Of powers now enjoyed by
our city Boards. The only changes which
may be made are those which have been
discussed ever since election. / am in
favor of bipartisan Boards. Every one
knows. and has known that Not having
a representative in the Legislature from
OF course. have to rely upon Essex Coun-
ty for our assistance. am not particular,
whether the Tax, Police and Fire Boards
consist of two, four or more members,
SO long as the Boards are made BIZ
partisan. y is all right for the Mayor to
should have some voice i'll the creation OF
such important departments. In Essex
County there are bipartisan Boards and
there is no reason why we should not
have them here. I believe they win
| give q more satisfactory administration.
There are half DOZEN ways Of creating
bipartisan Boards but as yet no Dartseu-
lar plan has been decided upon.
tsThe plan which appears most feasible,
| however, is to let the two City Commit
tees name candidates for the three Boards
III. question, and then let the public vote
| for them All would be elected of course.
1 but the people would thereby be given
/ Boards to be disturbed by the Legsla-
] ture Will be the Fire. Tax and Police.
| The other branches of the city govern
ment cannot be disturbed very easily or
| without creating adverse criticism. Just
! what course is to be pursued will be de-
| party leaders to be held in Newark at
| Rentlfy1fcan STATE IA f5{tI4a ri