The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-22
COUNTY FIGHTS.
Warning Factions Cause Re
publican Leaders Much
Anxiety.
SOMERSET FOR THE DEMOCRATS
Speaker Watson Seems to
Have Handed His Sena-
torial Boom to His
Secretary.

TRENTON, May %, 1S99.-In Essex,
the banner Republican county of the
State, from one end of the year to the
other, the politicians always find some
thing to talk about. Next falls campaign
is now the uppermost topic of discussion.
But it seems to be all one-sided, the Re
publicans apparently enjoying a monop-
oily of it. AS the Republicans are hrmly
intrenched in power. everything is like
ly to go their way newt November. Inc
Democratic outlook for victory is not
very inviting. There is no wonder that II
is, so, because during the last SIX years
one Republican victory after another
has been scored. Under the skilful man
agement of Major. Carl aLentz he Re
publican machine has. always been kept
in the best of order. He is a power
among the German element, so much SO
that he has always kept most of it in
the Republican ranks. Even if he could
not get a big office himself-to the emolu-
ments of the public patronage. Franklin
Murphy, the chairman of the Republic
can State Committee, also exercises
marked influence in Essex politics, and
he and Major Lentz have made their
party almost invincible in the county.
DUH HUN q lutloiidl liz G.
standpoint the campaign this year is of
the greatest Importance. The offices to
be filed are those of State Senator, Sher-
if and Surrogate. The new Senator Will
have a vote for a United States Senator
to succeed General Sewell. On this ae-t
count alone every effort will be made
to keep the county at the head OF the
Republican column. The General has
many warm personal friends in Essex,
who are always ready to do battle for
him and the cause he represents. His
name alone is a tower OF strength. Or
course. he has some enemies in his party
there, but they are powerless to do him
any harm. Every effort made to defeat
his ambition in former campaigns prov
ed futile.
There are numerous candidates for Sen
ator this time. Among them are Thomas
N. McCarter, Jr., and the present City
COMPTROLLER of Newark, John S. Gibson;
also James B.. Dill, OF East orange. The
name of William Riker, Jr, the present
Clerk of the Supreme Court, is also men
toned in connection with the office. lie
has a powerful following in Essex, and
should his friends, with his permission.
llG 0S u q v
would be every likelihood of his nomina-
ton. People might wonder why he would
be willing to r~elinquish a SC, 900 position for
one which pays only $500 "a year. This is
easily explained when it is stated that Mr.
Riker is a ma of Independent means, and
therefore ne is not in need OF a high sal
aired office. A State Senatorship carries
with it more honors han the Clerkship
of the Supreme Court, Notwithstanding
the fact that the latter Jays more money
And there is also something in the Iact
that far less duties are attached to the
former than to the latter. 1t is natural to
suppose that a rich man has a dislike 10
an office which demands routine service
nearly every day in the week. For these
reasons among others, there is a propa-
bility that should Mr.. Riker seek the nom
nation. he will be successful. And. be-
sides. his eminent service to his party
must be taken into account. He has ever
been aloyal Republican, and his activity
for party success at all times has made
INN very conspicuous as a leader.
In case Mr.. Riker does not want the
Senatorship, then perhaps Mr.. McCarter's
prospects for the nomination would be
bright. He is a talented young man and
is said to be very popular in Republican
circles. Last year he resigned his position
as District Court Judge in order to give
more attention to his law practice
Mr.. Dill is a prominent Republican of
East Orange, which is the stronghold OF
his party in Essex. Without the vote of
East Orange the Republican party would
have been on several occasions left in the
minority. The followers of the party
there complain that they nave been ne
elected in the patronage line Tor a long
time. and that now is the time to make
amends by conceding to the township the
nomination for State Senator. Then all
would be well and encouragement wouid
he given to the workers to pile up larger
Republican majorities than ever before.
The present Senator, Mr.. Ketcham, is not
a candidate for denomination. He has had
two terms. which breaks the record ever
since the late John w. Taylor held the
Office. MI. Ketcham is evidently satisfied
and he retires with good grace.
There seems to be a consensus of opin-
ion that the best and strongest man the
Republicans can nominate for Sheriff is
John H. Bonneu the present custodian
of the state Capitol. He has made an
! enviable record in his present position,
| and the Democrats as well as Republicans
all over the State are his friends IS
| a party man he has always performed his
| duty, and without giving personal offense
to those who differ with him in politics
| He has rendered yeoman's service to his
| marty on all occasions in Essex, and his
advice as to how campaigns should be run
| has oftentimes prevailed and been pro-
! d,lctiye of fertile results. While other
names are mentioned in connection with
fhe nomination, yet that of Mr.. Bonnell
excites the greatest interest. Joseph Hy-
| aft. of East Orange, has his eye on the
| office, and so have A~ssemblyman Guen-
ther. George Virtue and David Johnson,
all of Newark 1t is not likely, how
| ever. that their names will be, presented
to the county convention because by
/ that time it is probable the leaders will
have concluded that the best thing to do
to strengthen the ticket would be to place
the name Of John H.. Bonnell on for
| Sheriff.
The present Surrogate, Edward W.
Jackson, does not desire a denomination.
The candidates mentioned are DR.. Vim
cent. of Newark, and Joseph Hyatt and
James B.. Dill, of East Orange. 1t would
seem that the claims OF East Orange must