The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-31
A DIRTY JOB.
Graham's Tenure Of Wat
sons Place Is Likely
to Be Brief.
ABERNETHY's IGNoMIBloUS EXIT
Board Will Be Democratic
After April "a Reform
Sadly Needed.

April "a will close the history of one OF
| the worst Police Boards that hasaever sat
| in headquarters On that date President
Abernethy will step down and out, leaV-
/ ing Pete West, the lone Republican, 10
enjoy the hospitality of Democratic
majority. Mr. Abernethy will, on making
| his exit from the Board, HE hlmseH 10
| his summer home,' in the suburbs OF
| New Jersey, which will soon after ms ar
| rival be transformed into permanent
| residence, as it has already been called py
many knowing ones of the city.
| During Mr. Abernethy's connection with
! the Police Board he has made record
! only appreciated by himself and his man
Friday, who was, during the early part
| of the week, appointed to succeed Aleck
| Watson as prison keeper in the Gregory
| street police station. This action sounded
| the death knell of the Republican party
in this city Nothing to equal the qls-
missal of Aleck Watson was ever con-
cocted This. it was said last night, was
| left for has BEEN to do in his dying
| hours.
| Throughout. the entire city there is not
| one citizen, either a Republican or Demo
/ crat. with the exception of the two VINO
made the appointment, because 1t mad
| to be- who will say one word of COM
menda tion for Graham.
| In speaking on the subject Of the ap-
| pointment a prominent citizen SAID last
| night that it would be a most pleasing
| sight to see Graham on his marrow bones
| scrubbing up cell or emptying the
! buckets used by the prisoners. The
speaker added that the work was be-
| fitting so faithful servant and that II
| would be in common with the work he has
] already performed for the Republican
/ machine Graham does not mind how
/ dirty the work is so long as there is
| thousand a year behind it and possibly
| a little trimming, at which he is an adept,
1 thrown in.
1t will not be long after May before
he will meet his fate, and all the rabbits
| feet he can carry, in his already out
/ stretched pockets, could not save him
| from his DOOM He will, said a prominent
/ Democrat, whose word is law, be thrown
out of office even if the position has to
be abolished to accomplish his downfall
! From this statement it will be seen
Abernethy's man, who had to be-" will
enjoy but a short political life.
About headquarters the dismissal of
Aleck is mostly felt, while the slightest
mention of Graham name brings looks
of contempt upon faces. The officers con-
4 nected with the First precinct police, with
4 whom the new conner will have to asso-
| ciate more or less, bear the greatest con-
tempt for him. Wis reception tomorrow
\ chilly nature The marble heart" and
''the icy hand" will be much in evidence.
/ While the Police Board, as a whole,
must suffer for these outrageous doings,
Commissioner Adolph Walters is not re-
sponsble for this. He has been constant
" lighting. his Republican colleagues Tor
alone in the cause he has made brilliant
record, which must be- exceedingly graft
flying to Mayor Hoos, who appointed him
less tnan a year ago. At the Time of the
4 appointment of Commissioner Walters a
cry was raised that "he was too young to
hold the office of Police Commissioner. :
To offset this cry, one only needs to COM
nare Mr.. Walters record with that of tie
Two senior members of the board, VINO
have reached the age OF political infirmity
and their political lives have but few
7 short months. The Democratic victory
April II, will finish the work already be-
gun by Abernethy and West. TO them,
the overwhelming Democratic victory, the
defeat of the Republicans, the credit will
The fights that Mr.. Walter has made
Z against the unjust actions Of the spollce
| board are still ripe in the minds OF the
public. He has fought for humanity $
cause as no % other member M & Of the ne B9ard 53arsl
4
Watson's retainment shows he has the
interest of the people at heart and does
not let politics enter into the performance
i lsDemocrat while Watson has been a life
long Republican. This, however, has no
effect. on Mr. Walter in what he eonsid-
cred his duty. His stand has won Tor
him many friends.
This case is not the only one Mr.. Wal
ter has found fault with. The tannery
license" granted by the board. for the
place on Griffith street, met with his dis
approval at the last meeting. Commission
/ er Walter stated in open meeting tina!
.'the license had been granted during his
absence and without MS leN knoWledge. w ss,
The Commissioner having heard com
plants from foSaS his so n tn tn
the peoples rights. Commissioners
West and Abernethy hung their heads II
shame as Mr.. Walters was tnroWlng ,r,l, hls
was .that the license was revoked ane
the health officers induced to close the
There are a number of other instances
when Mr.. Walter has rebuked West ant
In an interview last night with a re
porter Commissioner Abernethy, said ht
realized that mistake had been made BY
the Police Commissioners In dismlsslns
Mr. watson, without first citing him t
appear for trial in accordance with tn
, law as published in last nights News
The working majority in the board, con
sisting of Abernethy and West hav'
4 decided TO call d meeting VI liiC ooeti y ~
+ This evening when the resolution dismis
sing Watson win be reseinded, AN an'
charges Of inability 70 perform pohc'
duty will be made against nm. s,
Z Mr.. Watson's friends say that hi
) physical condition will prevent him from
appearing for trial for at least month
; AT the expiration of this time, sPresiden
Abernethy win be an ofieial Q Of the d pas
win see that Watson win not be dis
turbed. Pending the. trial the city Wi Wi
: have to pay two prison keepers unles
: Graham is deposed as quickly as ne wa
!. The protest in the News" last nigh
y evidently had the right effect on tn
: board.
The recent additions to the police = de g
: hook the oath Of office this morning
|, Thug Graham was the only exception
al Jack found that his appointment wa
! illegal and he was afraid to swear in. Il
was on hand. but he did not want to tax
& chances in discussion with City Cler
a i 0'Donnell
Il