The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-11
REPUDS' TROUBLE.
Lafayette Association Blam-
ed by the County
Leaders.
COUNTER CHARGES MADE
Club Says it Has No Represen
tation on Hudson Commit
tee and is Not Responsible.
Club Says it Has No Represen


The Lafayette Republican Association
held a stag last evening in it's quarters
on Communipaw avenues, between Halla-
day and Van Horne streets The mem
bers came prepared for good time.
Much to their surprise the entertainment
was interrupted must unpleasantly by two
extremely disagreeable speeches by Re-
publican leaders. After several numbers
had been given John j. Erwin, secretary
of the Republican County Committee and
president of the Young Mems Republican
Club of the First ward, was introduced.
The members expected the usual COM
plimentary nothings, but much to their
surprise Mr.. Erwin pitched into them hot
and heavy.
Mr. Erwin began by referring to the
work done by his club in a ward which he
said was Overwhelmingly Democratic.
He spoke proudly of the record made by
the Republicans in that ward saying that
occasionally they elected to important
offices a few Justices of the Peace and
Constables. He said he heard that there
is dissension in the Lafayette section, and
almost went as far as to lay the blame
for the disruption on the Lafayette Asso-
citation.
The differences should be settled" he
said "and harmony should exist. This
pulling is not good for our party. There
Is certainly trouble somewhere and it
should be adjusted. In the spring we are
to hold an important election. We will
put up man whom the people can look
up to and who will represent the people. -
The speaker failed to say who the candi-
date is.
William Ea ton, also of the Young Mems
Republican Club was the next speaker.
He lost no time in getting to his subject,
and in most vehement manner said it
was time the disruption in the ward
should end.
Il am very sorry to hear of SO much
kicking" he said. II know it has. been
going on for years. much to the detri-
ment of the party. 1t should be done
away with Come down to our ward,
and we will show you people how the
work is done. In all our ward there are
not a half dozen Republicans who are
not in harness."
This was more than Captain Barker
could stand. He jumped up, before the
speaker had been seated and said
respect, but there are always two sides
to a question. You know we have no
representation in the County Committee
and I fail to see why this associa ton
should be so severely censured for the
existing conditions You should know
both sides of the story"
The speaker unconsciously let drop the
secret of the trouble in the party in that
in the County Committee.
Mr.. John Bechtold, president of the
League of Clubs. said that he thought
proper steps should be taken to adjust
the condition of affairs in the ward
'sThere is no doubt but that dissension
exists" he said. "but no one has ever
taken the trouble to locate it. A commit
tee was appointed by the League of
Clubs, but nothing was ever done about
it. There undoubtedly are two sides to
the controversy and an effort should be
made to settle it once and for ALL"
Mr. John P. Landrine also spoke. He
said he was now considered out of poll
tics, but he was well pleased to see the
association organized in spite of the fact
that it was not represented in the higher
councils of the Republican party, He
then referred, in an appropriate manner.
to the festivities of the evening. He was
cheered when he finished.
Alderman George Decker, in a short ad-
dress. spoke of the coming campaign, and
said that he was glad that he was not a
candidate.
Mr. John H. Weastell of the Wanser
Club brought the best wishes of the club
he represented and expressed them in
neat speech. Speeches were also made by
Mr.. Buss, Mr.. N. H. Fogg and Mr.. A. A.
Bonneville of Bayonne.
The programme was:-Song, Mr. Eber-
sole; song, Thomas Argus; song, Lester
Gilbert; piano solo, Mr.. Schalk; violin
solo, Mr.. A. Loyton; songs and comic
speeches, Messrs. Mason and Reid; hui
morisms, Mr.. Neil Oliver, and comic
sketch by the Willet Bros. The refresh
ments served at the conclusion were bet
ter than the first part of the entertain
ment Clam chowder, and delicious 1t
was, too, was served to all and excellent
coffee was supplied later
Previous to the entertainment a short
meeting was held, at the which the fol-
lowing officers were elected:-Captain
Charles H. Barker, President; N. H.
Fogg, First Vice President; Burr st.
John, Second Vice President; Floyd
Rhodes, Secretary: Richard Dawcey FL
nancial Secretary; Charles Muller,
Treasurer, and Henry Miller, Sergeant
alarms. Trustees, John Halliday, James
Hall and Edward Hess. The committees
will be announced at the next meeting.
Among those present were;-N. H.
F'ogg, Burr, st. John, Floyd Rhodes,
Richard Dawcey, Henry Miller, James
Hall, John Halliday, Edward Hess,
George H. Link, H. c. Tanner, j. Gull
| man. T. ]. Christie John J. Erwin,
John P. Landrine Captain Charles O..
Barker, John H. Weastell. Alderman
Decker, Orrison McNeill, Jacob Green
way. John Ash, J. H. Bunnell, Mr.. Buss,
William Eaton and John Bechtold-
Those on the Entertainment Committee
which had charge were:-C. 0. Link, H.
c. Tanner, J. Cullman. R. J. Dawcey and
T. J. Christie.