The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-28
C. O.P. HUMORIS rs
Hold a Meeting, Tell Funny
Stories and Call It a
Ratification.
DENSE IGNORANCE DISPLAYED
Even woolley Didn't Know
the Assembly Candidates
Erwin introduced
Himself.


the wanser Republican Club last night
was a success, as a political meeting, 1t
was a frost, the coldest and dreary
soft of an affair. Previous to the OPEN
ing of what was intended for a ratifica-
tion meeting, the frost that prevailed the
rooms hung about the walls in chunks.
The star speaker of the evening was
funny, funny in gestures and remarks.
This Individual was Mr.. Flavel McGee-
The other speakers were funnier, because
of their ignorance Of the topics upon
which they attempted to speak. And TO
cap the climax, John G. Fisher, the can
didate for County Clerk told story OF
a battle ne fought in the Civil war, no"
he was wounded in the mouth and how 1t
impaired his powers of articulation. This
story with a few remarks touching on
waht the Republicans would do II elected,
constituted the meeting.
The Assembly candidates were not even
recognized when they appeared. Even
Mr.. Woolley, who, with Smiling Johnny
Weastell, led the clapping, did not know
who had been selected by the party un-
til they made themselves known.
Chairman Decker opened the meeting.
He said he thought Mr.. Erwin had not
been before the public until the present
campaign, and concluded by hurting a
few verbal bouquets at all the candi-
dates.
Jacob Straus of Hoboken, whose knowl-
edge of the issues appeared to be very
limited, attempted to gull the audience
with a speech touching on the labor ques-
tion. He represented the Republican
marty as being In favor of everything
beneficial to the laboring man. He said
he thought the struggle of 1900 would De
far greater than those Of 1860 ana 1904.
He then attempted to foist the blame OF
Mr.. Erwin's crusade against the liquor
dealers. three years ago, on the shoul-
ders of ex-Sheriff Johp ]. Toffey
.IJnfortunately Mr.. Erwin was under
Sheriff Toffey at that time, he said,
land therefore he was forced TO do THIS
work or lose his position" He wanted Il
made known that the party was never SO
harmonious, and then he let slip little
story that let the light in on the true
state Of affairs in the party
.aTo show YOU" said he, that there IS
harmony let me tell you that every rae
tion was represented at meeting OF the
Executive Committee when the candidates
were introduced. There were Mr.. Wooley
and Mr.. Wanser on one side, Mr.. ToHey
on another, and Mr. Dickinson and Mr.
Baldwin representing factions OF fheir
own This proves conclusively that there
is harmony"
Mr. Woolley at this juncture mumbled
something about calling the speaker on
his perch
Mr.. Basse then launched into an ecstatic
hurst of oratory regarding the under
current. that had not yet manifested
itself. but probably would after election
day. He even went so far as to admit
that the Democrats would probably re-
ceive about 5000 majority instead OF l2,Voo.
Jobn !. Erwin came next. He proceeded
to make himself known by declaring that
he was the man nominated py the re
publican party for Sheriff. He never feit
more sure of being elected, was Tree ana
independent man. He said that the uh-
dercurrent" was being manifested
Claus Basse said something about sup
porting the ticket
Edward s. Brown claimed that the party
he represented was the only party to be
trusted with the reins OF the govern
ment.
C. G. James, of Bayonne, said he could
tell all he knew in few minutes. rms
statement was unnecessary. He told all
he knew in less time.
F'lavel MCGEE came next. he eouio
not find single thing the Democrats had
done. in the county State or municipality
that was laudable. He deplored the fact
that Democrats held any office. He
could not see why the people voted Tor
Democrats, supported them or wanted
them to govern them. He charged them
with every conceivable crime on the poll
tical calendar and even stated that should
the Democrats be placed in. charge af
the State they would not only spend the
4 big deficiency, in spite of the fact that
an enormous income was derived from
corporations Mr.. McGee impiored the
men to get out and hustle Tor lne party.
A few more uninteresting speeches fol-