New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-27
NEW JERSEY NEWS.
FLAvEL M'GEE SPEAKS.
NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE REPUBL1-
CAN LEADERSHIP.
HE DISCUSSES THE NEED FOR A THOROUGH RE-
ORGANIZATION OF THE PARTY IN HUDSON
AND REFERS TO pIssENsIoNs-ED-

son County many Republicans have looked upon |
Counsellor Flavel MCGEE. OF the law nrm OF |
Bedle. MCGEE & Bedle of Jersey City. as the man |
who would prove most acceptable to all factions i
a leader, and who could thoroughly unite and |
strengthen the party in Hudson County.
st stan said aid Mt MCGEE TO Tribune reporter
hs frs hm ans sdn his jersey s
I'm the first place, could not afford to make such
sponsbilites which leader is compelled to as
very good eaCH cSnn U Mr. cGee s that
am man with a large family, and as / am not
tire ,,sri am compelled to give my whole time and
Mr.. McGee's attention was called to the fact that
many Republicans in Hudson County were heartily
he consented to accept he could easily restore
harmony In the ranks and strengthen the Repub
YES. I believe could restore harmony in the
ranks II consented to act as leader. replied Mr..
MCGEE, but for reasons which have explained. 1
could not under any circumstances think of en-
tertainlng any, such proposition"
who would you suggest available
for leader?' asked the reporter.
Mr.. McGee pondered over the question several
II do not know OF anybody just at present who
would prove acceptable to all factions In the party
would make excellent leaders II they could be In
duced to accept the responsibility. 1t would be
to devote his whole time and attention TO the work
WANTS A THOROUGH REORGANIZATION.
IF we are TO have any reorganization. let it be
thorough consolidation of all the dissatisfied ele-
ments factions in the party. Let them all unite
and advance the interests of the party. II It can
be accomplished successfully / would be very glad
TO have reorganization. | think II would be a
good thing for the party and 1t certainly conld DO
But there is only one way for real reorganiza-
ton. and that is by a county convention new
are working for a reorganization get their FORCES
together and elect their men 70 the Coum'y NU ,,a
mittee. They cannot expect the majority 10 Sive
way to the minority. and then complain that they
are not fairly treated. -. rooroa,,
zatlon can be brought about successfully. Repuo-
leans who want reorganization must ton,e . oaI
nzed, and they can Select their own leader Other
effected"
REASONS FOR REPUBLICAN WEAKNESS.
ITO what do you attribute the poor showing
made by the Republicans In the last TWO cdih-
paigns?" asked the reporter
II think that the Republicans realized that the
Democrats had a strong organization rephed MI
MCGEE. In the first place, HUDSON county -
naturally Democratic county. large majority
OF the Republicans in this county are New iork
business men, who cannot be Induced 70 vote OF
they realize that a change Of government is neces-
sary. Secondly. these Republicans never vote un-
would like TO see elected, and, thirdly, many. Re-
publicans do interest themselves in local affairs
enemies There are not so many Offices as aspIr
ants who are seeking appointments ana me as
PeeFPRaps wSe the Repubcans in power many
Sfes that Mef had pGt to some dssas
faction. .a.s@
faction existed in the ranks. When John P.
Landrine wanted to be placed at the head Of the
ton, which committee was placed in charge OF the
work Of arranging for political meetings his course
the men in his district. The result was that there
he Ninth Ward was defeated for reelection
10 the County Committee Mr. Landrine has many
Wsrd and the result was that there was split
in the party in this ward
State and National Affairs He directed his fight
against Colonel Dickinson.
MANY Republicans thought st,,r that Mr. Guisto.s
suit. i caused split In the party n Hoboken
in the Board OF Freehoders two years ago and the
counter combination between Colonel Dickinson
but do not think that any blame can be attached
to the Republicans any more than 10 the Demo
people should not have been visited upon the Re-
nbcans in that aar . dny more TN Than upon the
which resulted from this combination, and learned
something about what had occurred ] never felt
but merely that we had exercised bad Judgment
LET REPUBLICANS COME FORWARD
IT have never been organization man in the
strict sense OF the word but for the last few
II seemed to me that more was to be hoped for
that wing or inc party imam from any otneT
In my Judgment. If the Republicans Of influence in
Hudson County would get themselves elected to the
County Committee, as they could easily do IL they
to The work and some money. much could be done
toward redeemng the county But II seems impos-
Tbey refuse to take any active interest in the
party work and yet when something gees wrong
far as they 60 II these men would only get out
enndtion Of affairs would be the result.
I'm my Judgment II all branches Of the party
were united It would result in good government as
not what In the words or Pope
For forms Of government let fools contest;
Wha,e' err is best administered is best
THE LEADERSHIP NOT AN OFFICIAL PLACE.
"In regard to the leadership. may say that It is
mt a place that is officially recognized by the
county organization. Colonel Dickinson is now rec
oonIzed as leader by the district leaders. who
friendly toward him and seek his advice. The boss
or leader in American politics is only man VINO
mas teammates the wills OF those who compose It
Sv virtue OF some qualities of leadership WHICH he
possesses and often he is man VINO holds TO
oficial place party office whatever.
MITCHELL SPEAKS HIS MIND
Health Inspector Edward T. Mitchell. who was
warden Of the Hudson County Jail during Sheriff
Toffev's administration, acted as chairman OF the
ORGANIZATION Committee in last fails campaign
when asked by Tribune reporter YESTERDAY II ne
,,oupht that a reorganization of the Republican
nartv could be effected in Hudson county ne re-
piled: .. :, rsorganiza,ion will do
a. a anv good would be glad 10 have II take
nIs Ma at once The question can best be answered
by asking Did you ever hear OF majority sup
~ and giving way 10 minority Inat Is
exactly the situation with the present "a hs
mnnSoritv? II II would prove beneht 10 the party.
viii be one Of the FIRST 70 step down dnq b gs 's
mnor eyyervthing that will beneht the party
This night for reorsaniza,on IS oh ,ns sne eariv
9t n men they we're defeated at the primaries they
worked openly against the party rscognlton at
s sSe han S Of the present organization?"