The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-17
OFFICIAL
MORTALITY
Deaths Among State Politi-
clans Are Unusually
Great.
STRUGGLE FOR VACANCIES
Within Nine Months Five
Office Holders Have Pass
ed Away.
STRUGGLE FOR VACANCIES

Chamber the other day, while the Cover
norss callers were discussing two ad in
term appointments caused by death
ss1Fe hardly take the crepe off one coun-
ty before we hang it up on some other
he said resuming. The finger of fate is
stirring up politics to a point of discom-
future for hot weather. and never in the
history of New Jersey has there been
such a hustle for dead mems shoes.
cannot recall when, in this State, death
has removed so many men while in office.
The old statesmanrs reflections caused
many of his hearers toSthink a bit and
figure UP the political neurological list
and it is unusually long for a small
State.
The politicians of Essex County think
that an upas tree has grown out of their
body politics, because within nine months
five men in official life have passed away
The &rst 90 go was the well known Re-
publican leader, William r. Williams,
who YVES the Collector of the Port. He
.fhad only occupied his important office
less than a year when he was fatally
stricken with apopIexy.
This vacancy and the new appointment
paused an additional ruffls in the agitat-
ID waters of Essex county politics, and
the waters had scarcely settled when
Postmaster David D. Bragaw, who had
beer in Office less chan three months,
to pneumonia Then followed
another political disturbance which CON
tirued until the appointment of James L.
Hayes. a former Senator of Essex. In
both these cases there were many men
who rushed for the political shoes of those
wfaAn fate forced TO vacate, and the two
incidents gave politicians much to talk
abotst. Then came the death of City Clerk
Lewis Wendell. who had been the hero OF
a scheme 10 out him from his City Hall
berth.
He had stood the fire of an Investigation
but under the Veteran act he held on to
his office.
Death, however, did for some anxious
politicians. what the law could not be
made to do. This death opened a place
for James r. connelly, the former Demo-
cratic Comptroller of Newark. and lately
a Consul to a Japanese port.
A few weeks ago. Assemblyman John
L. Billiard died suddenly at his nome at
Short Hills. HI had served but one term
in the HOUSE of Assembly, and was to
have the usual second term.
Former Assemblyman Thomas H. Jones
of Livingston. died a few weeks ago. He
was Clerk of the House of Assembly Tor
the past two terms. He had been active
in politics for several years and had
hopes Of recovery and further political
usefulness.
The Democrats of Monmouth think
themselves in hard luck. Last fall they
elected Theodore F. Aumuck County
Clerk. Mr.. Aumuck had been hardly
settled in his office when he died, and the
Governor was called upon to appoint a
County Clerk ad interim. He named
Joseph McDermett. the Republican oppo-
nent. to fill the office until the fall cleo
ton, and Mr.. McDermott. according TO
the slate that has been made by the Re
publieans. is to be the regular Repub-
aican candidate, with DR.. A. T. Apple
gate as his Democratic opponent.
In Burlington county the Republicans
on Wednesday last buried their County
Clerk, William H. Warrick, who died
at his home in Chester Township last
Saturday evening. He was elected to
the office last fail for a term of five
years, n had only served seven months
of his term when he died of eonsump-
ton His son, Roland Warrlck, at the
request of the men of the county, was
appointed by Governor Voorhees, to serve
until the next election. This vacancy
must be filled at the fall election, and
will give additional interest to the Bur-
lington campaign, when a Sheriff is to
be chosen. AT the present time sentiment
favors the selection Of the son for the
Office.
Il is evident that the Grim Reaper is
no respecter of political parties, for he
knocks at Democratic doors as well as
Republican. The triumphant Democracy
OF Hudson county was severely shocked
when the leaders were summoned around
the bier of Sheriff William Heller. He
was popular and greatly esteemed. He
stood for the Democratic organization
of Hudson. The result of his death fur
nishes an opportunity to the Republi-
can State Administration to get possess
sion Of the Sheriff's office for six months
and with 1t the county Jail.
TIL Republican Organization could not
find a man sufficiently righteous in their
estimation to be High Sheriff. The Gov
esnor made a personal appointment nam
ing on Thursday last. Alexander T. Me
Lean@ Jersey City journalist, who for
thirty years or more was a legislative
correspondent, and now an editorial
writer. He has a grand jury to select,
and public opinion demands it be made
of representative and fearless men.
Sheriff Heiler's term would have expired
in December. Mr.. Mclean serves only
until the next election.
In Salem County the strongest Demo-
GRAFT has passed away-not to the land
from which ne man returns, but to some
land from which t is not safe for
him to return at present. Assemblyman
Frank Wright, who was slated to head
the Democratic ticket in Salem, eithe as
q candidate for County Clerk or Senator,
has disappeared. There are various esti-
mates as to his shortage. About $4,000
Will be the amount. The Democrats have
felt almost certain that they were goifs
TO elect Senators county Clerk, Sheriff
and Asemblyman. because they would
have Assemblyman Wrfght's magnetism
on the ticket.
The Democrats must find a new stand
ard bearer and suffer the odium of
Wright's shortcomings. the Republicans
breathe easier, and are certain Of anssasy
victory under the circumstances.
IN Trenton. Joseph B. Stokes, a Water
COMMISSIONER died two weeks ago. The