The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-15

est fight for State Senator occurred three
years ago, when Charles Asa Francis de-
feated one of the most popular Democrats
in the county. At that time the money
question was uppermost, and. of course.
it worked to the disadvantage of the
Democratic ticket. The Republicans
hope for the same trouble among their
opponents this year. but it is not likely
to occur. The campaign for the Senator
ship win likely be waged on other issues.
Senator Francis. who is a candidate Tor
reelection, is willing to stand upon ms
record, which he feels confident the
voters will indorse. Pitted against the
Senator will likely be Henry S. Terhune,
whom James A. Bradley defeated for
the same office six years ago on the race
track issue. Had it not been for that
Mr.. Bradley would never have been a
Senator. Mr.. Terhune is a lively cam
paigner, and, provided side issues do
not hurt him, he will give Mr.. Francis
the most vigorous fight of his life. He
is a nephew of the ~redoubtable Henry
Stafford Little. who in his day and gen
Grafton was a political power. No doubt
Ii VI oNAitNo -
paign he will receive some valuable ad-
vice from his uncle as to how 1t should
be conducted. A contest between Fran
els and Terhune would set all Mon
mouth ablaze with excitement, and it
would prove Just as interesting as that
of six wears ago. when Mr.. Bradley's
free gift of %scrubbing brushes to the
voters was a factor in the defeat of Mr..
| Terhune.
One thing seems certain-a democratic
| candidate in Monmouth county TO IN
sure his election must nave the earnest
support of Surrogate David > crater.
AS a leader he is nearly at the top Oh
the ladder. of political fame. That lact
was demonstrated the last time ne ran
| for Surrogate, when he carried the county
by a phenomenal majority-ln TACT, the
largest ever given a candidate for pupllc
Office in Monmouth. Mr.. Craters irieios
mean to push him as a candidate LOT 1oN-
ernor at the next Democratic state con-
vention. Should his choice of candidates
on the Democratic side be selected TINS
time. the prospects for victory woulo pe
bright, indeed.
The Republicans will renominate Joseph
| McDermott for County Clerk. lie mace
a good run for the office last year, oue
WAS defeated by Theodore Aumack. Soon
| afterward, Mr.. Aumack died. ana WI.
| McDermott was appointed by the 1oVei-
nor to fill the vacancy. 1t is SAID that ne
! has made many improvements IN the
office. and that otherwise he has maze d
| yery popula official during his snort
| term of office. He seems so strong thal
| tbe Democrats are in no hurry TO pick out
a candidate against him. They require
more time to make a survey of the neio'
60 that they may not make any mistake
in the man whom they may select.
The Sheriff's office is, perhaps, more
sought after than either Senator or
| Countv Clerk, because it pays more
money and its duties are manly perlofi
cd nv deputies. The Democratic candl-
dates for that place are Assemolynhan
| Joseph Butcher and Jacob SHUTS OF
| Shrewsbury township. 1t is reported lhal
Mr.. Shuts is on the slate, with MI. Ter
hume. His friends claim that ne is ABOUT
the strongest Democrat in the county,
and he would most certainly carry
| Shrewsbury, which is a steady Repupicah
| township. An objection has been raised
| against him however, on the ground that
he has not at all times been a loyal Demo-
| crat. Many men of his party prefer Mr..
| Butcher. who, they say, would poll more
| votes than Mr.. Shuts. The Democratic
County Convention is likely to get into an
ugly snarl over the contest for this NOM
nation.
Sam" Kirkbride of Asbury Park would
like to get the Republican nomination Tor
Sheriff, and it is said that he has been al
ready slated for it. The Democrats do
not look upon him as a strong man by
any means, and they believe their own
candidate. no matter who he may be, can
easily defeat him.
All This talk of states on both sides is
NOT by any means a final determination
of the wishes of the politicians. They
will have their innings when the county
conventions are held. Sometimes IN Ne"
Jersey states are smashed soon after be
ing made. And such things are likely to
occur in Monmouth county this year.
The slate smashing, when it does occur,
is sure to be followed by old fashioned
fights among the clans of each party.
There is also talk of a trade by the
politicians of both sides, so that the spoils
can be divided and ~favorite candidates
cared for. For instance the Republicans
would Demand the Senator and County
Clerk. and in return concede the Sheriff's
office to the Democrats. 1t is believed
that at former elections such trades
have been made. 1t is hard to tell how
foxy politicians accomplish such trades,
but they are carried out not only in Mon
mouth. but in other doubtful counties OF
the State. Leader David S. Crater must
be on the alert so as to prevent such
dickering. and thus save the good name
of his party. And self-respecting Repub-
licans will feel much disgust should any
of their candidates be thus sacrificed