New-York tribune., 1899-12-18


OF which ne was one OF the originators ano
builders. and which was largely used for the
shipment OF peaches and agricultural products
from the district through which II ran as a con-
Meeting link OF the Central Railroad OF New
Jersey with the New-York and other markets
Mr.. Pidcock's interest In peach growing was al
one time said to be the largest OF all fru't
growers in New-Jersey.
II Is said that Mr.. Pdcock had mapped out
the campaign in the Ivth Congress District for
the year 1900. but his plans had not been made
public.
MR.. PIDCOCK'S POLITICAL CAREER.
For many years James ~ Pidcock was one
OF the most active and influential Demo-
cratic politicians in New-Jersey. He was
at one time intimately associated with the
late Governor Albeit and ex-Congressman Miles
Ross who were the successors OF Henry c. Kel-
sey and Henry s. Little as the State Demo-
cratic leaders, and who I'm the days OF their rule
named the party candidates for Governor. for
United States Senator. for Congress and for the
Legislature with a power which was as arb-
trary as It potent Albeit, Ross and Pd-
cock were the successors of Kelsey and Little.
and they did about as they pleased with the
Democratic party up to the time Of the noto-
rious Coal Combine" when Pidcock and Ross
cut loose from Albeit and aided in his defeat
for United States Senator and were the NOV
ing spirits in the election Of James Smith, Jr..
who the opponent Of Albeit.
Mr. Pidcock prominent in the Democratic
politics of the IVth Congress District before that
time, but was not widely known until he was
elected to the State Senate from Hunterdon
County IN 1879 He made record in the Sem
ate as one Of the most influential Democratic
partisans in that body. Eight years later he
was elected to the House OF Representatives
from the IVth District, and reelected In
1886, but he made no noteworthy record there.
In every campaign in Hunterdon County from
about 1872 until the election OF the present year
he welded a powerful influence among the
Democrats, and succeeded in making about
many enemies within his party as any man in
the State. He was generally. however on the
winning side and the factions that fought him
usually came out second best. Occasionally
Republican elected to Office In that county.
as was the when Frederic c. Potts. In 1913.
and George H. Large, In 1888 were chosen 10
the State Senate. 1t charged on both OF
these occasions by his Democratic opponents
that Mr. Pidcock connived secretly at the defeat
of the Senatorial candidates OF his own party.
| but the facts were that he could not have pre-
| vented the election OF either Potts or Large
at that time. owing to the factional troubles
within the Democratic ranks.
At the expiration Of the term OF Senator
Potts Mr. Pidcock had so successfully managed
to heal the political differences among the
| Democrats that he was chosen to succeed Mr..
Potts by whom he was defeated three years be-
fore In the Senate. 1t was at this time that
| what was known as the "Pidcock and Silver
thorn Political Alliance was formed. and the
Senator from Hunterdon ana the Senator from
yUo ~ he az
and closest political corporations that the State
had known for a long time. What they wanted
they generally obtained without much apparent
effort for they both had talents as manipulators
and workers which. while they made hardly q
ripple on the surface NV, were e. ds sns 1Htt,s
in a larger field.
Johnston Cornish, the aggressive young Demo
crat Of Warren County, who has been ooth
Senator and member Of Congress. and who IL
now Senator again, with, as Is said. the hope OF
being Governor some day not far distant, was
al one time the accredited protege or MI I'D
cock. OF late years It has been understood that
their relations have been somewhat straineo,
but there is still the belief that Mr.. Pidcock
had strong liking for and deep interest," T IN
the political welfare Of the young Warren
County Democrat. who now has things pretty
nearly as much his own way In Warren county
as Mr.. Pidcock had In Hunterdon
HIS SHARE IN THE COAL COMBINE"
The methods OF Mr. Pidcock in politics were
not always concatory, but he generally de-
pended upon persuasion to obtain the ends de-
sired His share in the Goal Combine which
was one Of the influences which wrecked the
Democratic party In New-Jersey. is pretty we'll
known but has not been definitely fixed. II is
enough TO say that his native shrewdness and
| long experience about the State Legislature
| both as o member and as visitor enabled him
| TO come out of that combination with record
which was less exposed than that or some
others who participated in II. What he could
have told about that combination would have
| made an interesting chapter In the history OK
| the Democratic party in New-Jersey. But, as he
| generally kept his own counsel as we'll as some
| OF the participants in that deal have kept
| theirs, his death will probably leave IT un-
written. ,,
Mr. Pidcock had many commendable qualities,
| not the least Of which his generosity to
| those who needed assistance financially, when
| he was able 10 assist them. 1t has been said OF
| him that he never forgot friendly action, ana
that he embraced the earliest opportunity 10 re-
| turn t. At one time he had large business IN
| terests and his circumstances were said 10 De
| affiuent but he met with business reverses' anu
| although he partly recovered his former stand
| ing in business Ill health and advancing years
| prevented him from regaining all the lost
ground His frst love, In puplc way was
| politics and for this calling he had as many
| talents as almost any of his contemporaries
some OF whom are still living, and who re-
wifi whom