The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-27
Candidate watson's Letter.

Mr.. whats-His-Name Watson, the Re
publican candidate for Mayor, appears
TO rely almost entirely upon ancient his
tory for his claim to election. He cites
the record of the Wanser administration
as his chief-indeed his only argument
why voters should support him. This is
truly an inconsequential plea. Because
Peter F. wanser pursued one course, sew
eral years ago. there is no warrant TOT
assuming that What's-His-Name Watson
would act in the same manner now.
The personal equation enters into the
calculation too forcibly, n General
Wanser is a very different sort of man
indeed from Mr.. Watson. Mayor Wanser
was both better than his party and
stronger than its bosses He had the
public welfare in his minds eye, ana
when he acted on his own best Judgment
he generally benefited the city. occa-
sionally, he slipped ava from grace, ana
allowed the ringsters to entangle hin in
politics of their invention. When this
took place, the result was injurious 10
the people and to General Wanser him
self.~
Now Mr.. Watson is the political crea-
ton of the very same bosses, whom
Mayor Wanser kept in subsection. he
TITS
was picked out of obscurity by them. ms
name was written by them on their slate
the dav before the nominating conyen-
ton. The convention itself, which went
xhrough the legal formalities of electing
him was in complete s~ubjugation to the
bosses will. OF course. Colonel Dlckin-
son and his associates have no zeal ex-
nsotation of electing Mr.. Watson, but 1t
Is not open to doubt that they nave pro-
viaed against the chapter of accidents by
n,edeing him to blindly carry out tneir
will in case he should reach the office OF
Mayor.
The tone of Mr.. watson's letter Is PROOF
.nougb Of the attitude of his mind he
knows practically nothing of municipai
aaa;rs. He is a victim of current gossip
- nartisan ~preiudice. In absolute igno-
rance Of precise facts and hgures' nc
,izes vaguely. He outlines no plans
- r,,rnoses and makes no tangible prom
fses on his own account. How coulo ne
Hs does not know What his owners VIII
let him do.
Mr.. watson would have lone De''ei
n have written no letter. One can re-
n,,aiate a report of a speech. But tnis
document bearing Mr.. Watson's own
signature, will remain a proof OF incapac-
Nv and unfitness to the end Of the Dal'ie
rHE principal trouble about the presen
campaign. from the Democratic point o
view. il that it is too easy. There IS n
conceivable combination of circumstance
- uhich Mayor Hoos can be beaten, am
evervone knows it. This may leao =
qaxitv in the struggle and CONSEQUENT oe
80
moralization In the organization. Notnin'
40 spells the work of a trained team a
Z go--as-you-please contest.
The leaders should realize TINS an
should insist Upon the ampaig penn
worked up and the vote brought out Jus
~ II the result were really at stake. IN
s&uggle, which is ahead OF us next ~
vemher, win be no walkover. It VIII 0e
battleVto the last ditch, in which ever
nossibilify Of both parties will be eS
ba,sted. There win be to be chosen
snerir. County Clerk and Register, o
sides the Assemblyme and the Repu1
iican party is eager 70 capture some : :
Of these Offices.
The present election should pe maue
sort Of preliminary heat for me s'ss
race. 1t should be made an occasion =
binding the organization tosetner e'0s :"
than ever before and for developihk s
working capacity It should Pc ussa :
.a.ss,or - interest lukewarm citizen
8 ,oca1 p%olItfcs. and 10 getting them ini
q. $50 x,ot;ne the Democratic Tickle