The Jersey City news., 1899-06-26
SENATE FIGHT
Democrats Have Bright
Chances Of Controlling
That Body.
CLAIM SEVEN OUT OF EIGHT
Prospects That the Repub.
licans Will Lose All
But Camden.
Especial to "rhe Jersey City News."l

|
the other day when he was told that the
Republicans were boasting that they
would elect all of the State Senators to
be chosen next November.
! "And that one will be in either Essex
or Gloucester"
81 don't know about Gloucester, be-
cause l am told that the Republicans are
in bad way there and there is a GOOD
chance for the election of Democratic
Senator
| The leader who made these remarks
was only a few years ago high up in
the councils of his party, and he is today,
| for that matter, but for year or two he
has not made himself as prominent as
| formerly Friction with the rank and
file of his party over the money question
was the cause for his apparent inactivity
No other Democrat in New Jersey keeps
himself in closer touch with the political
situation than he. Like other members
of his party, he has arrived at the conclu-
sion that owing to the alleged fostering
of trusts by the Republican party and the
prolongation of the war with the rebels
in the Philippine Islands. public sentiment
is changing IN favor of the Democrats.
And besides the Republican factionh
squabbles in various parts of the State,
he believes. are giving the Democrats
much desired opportunity to prepare
themselves for battle and make an earnest
effort for victory at the next election.
Colonel Zulick an old time Democratic
warrior. is very enthusiastic in his belief
that there will be sweeping victory for
his party in November. He feels partieu-
larly confident over the result in Mon
mouth county, where he has resided Tor
seven or eight years, and predicts that
the whole Democratic ticket will be elect
ed there. Several years ago the Colonel
was one of the Democratic wheel horses
in Essex. Under the first Cleveland adj
ministration he was made Governor of
Arizona. When the Republican party re-
gained the ascendency the Colonel was
removed. and then he returned to New
Jersey He is a powerful stump orator,
and last fall he rendered great service TO
the Democratic ticket. In politics he
says he feels just as young as ever he did
and he claims that he is in close toucn
with the present situation.
The essentials required by the Demo-
Gratis for the prosecution of a vigorous
campaign are good leadership, supported
by harmony IN the ranks. The Republi-
cans flatter themselves with the idea that
the Democrats have no leaders. and that
their forces are split into irreconeilable
factions. And it seems there is reasonable
ground for the belief. Former Senator
James Smith has heretofore been looked
upon as a safe leader, but ever since the
defeat of last year many members of his
party do not care to see him in the sad
die again. Then there is Allan L. McDer-
mott who in the days of Albeit conduct
ed numerous successful campaigns Mr..
McDermott Is in every way qualified for
leadership. The leaders of the Silver
Democracy of the State cannot run sue
cessful campaign without the help of
such men as McDermott, and they well
know that to be a fact. And then another
fact must be remembered. that as long as
the silver men adhere to their issues the
influential Democrats who bolted their
ticket in 1896 will not return to the fold.
Then how will the Democrats get to-
gether that they may take advantage OF
the opportunity which presents itself 10
carry the State at the next election? The
only thing to do is to bury the hatchet
and smoke the pipe of peace.
There are indications that movement
is on foot to try and harmonize the con-
fiicting elements. The confident predic-
ton made by the Democratic leader
above alluded to may be founded upon
belief that unity will prevail and that
brainy and experienced men will be in
vited to conduct this years contest at the
polls. With such an arrangement the Re-
publicans would find that their roseate
feelings of confidence would fall far short
of their expectations
Although Mr.. McDermott has not been
talking much lately, yet he is doing
great deal of thinking. His experience as
a State Senator last winter has taught
him many things which he can put to
good use for his party. He has discov-
cred the weak spots in the dominant par
ty and is confident that he has secured
valuable campaign material. Even should
he not be again elevated on the
ladder of leadership he will do lot of
planning which will help those who are
more conspicuous in running the party
machine.
In Essex county there is an indication
that serious trouble may arise should Ma
jor Carl Lentz insist upon again taking
hold of the machine of his party. There
are large number of independent Re-
publicans who object to the leadership of
the Major. They demand his retirement,
and if their wishes are not respected they
may bolt the ticket in November. Here,
then, is the Democratic opportunity to
gain a conquest in that strong Republi-
can county. With Republican dissensions
the feat might not be so difficult for the
Democrats to wipe out the normal major
ity Of 5000 which has been against them
for some time back. A prominent Essex
Republican said a day or two ago that
trouble was brewing in his party, and it
behooved the leaders to be on their guard
so as to try and avert what threatens to
bring about a serious disaster
With factional fights in Hudson, Essex,
Somerset, and even in Union and Glou-
cester, one fails to see the reason why
the Republican politicians pretend to be
so buoyed up with visions of victory all
along the line. And, after all, the in
dependent voters will decide the contest
at the polls. They are not amenable to
machine rule, and it has frequently oc-
Cured in New Jersey that the party
which felt the most confident of victory
before the election came out of 1t de-
feated. And history may repeat itself