The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-01
HUNGRY REPUBS
They Are S~crambling in an
Undignifed Manner For
Newark's Offices.
DEMOCRATS MAY FIGHT
Think They Can Retain Their
Places Under a Recent
Decision.

TRENTON, May /, 1S99.-These are days
of anxiety for the o~ffice-holders and office-
seekers in Newark. A change of admin
istration seriously threatens the decApi-
tation OF Democratic and Republican en-
ployes alike. Excitement over the mat
ter is intense, and the leaders Of both par
ties are much puzzled as to the best policy
to pursue.
In Newark the Republicans have just
been restored to power. The applications
for Office are numerous. The leaders of
the dominant party have issued the ukase
that to the victors belong the spoils,'
and no man who differs with the new adj
m-inistrations politically must be retained.
The Newark Board of Works will soon
be organized Hundreds of lucrative
offices are at It's disposal. That body con-
trolls four-fifths of the political patronage
of that city, the other fifth being held
by the Mayor and Common Council, both
Democratic. The Democratic office-hold-
ers awe held their berths for only one
year. Most of them have been capable
men, and it is acknowledged, even by Re-
publicans, that the public service will not
be in any way improved by their re-
moval, and, in fact, It may be injured.
But nowadays the professional politicians
do not care much for the public service,
their sole object being to have their
names inscribed on the pay rolls of the
city. Many politicians believe that the
offices benefit the party in power, while
others are of the opinion hat they cause
more harm Than good. Some Democratic
leaders incline to the latter idea, as is
evidenced by their objection to a scheme
which is on foot to appeal to the Courts
against the proposed sweep which is
in contemplation by the new administra-
ton.
The Democratic o~fice-holders believe
that according to a recent decision rem
dered by Judge Depue in a case concern
ing a water supply for Newark they see
a method by which their removal can be
forestalled. In that decision the Judge
holds that all business meant to be per-
manent must have the Endorsement either
of a resolution or ordinance, a mere mo.
ton not being legal or sufficient. The
| contention is made that appointments to
office come under a permanent head. The
~ofice-holders nave employed counsel, who
have advised them that they have a good
| case to take into Court. That means a
QSnl, anu d most 1ilefeStlIS Ole d. thai.
Even should the ofice-holders be even
tually thrown out of Court, still it will
take some time to go through the va
rious stages of litigation, pending which
the ~incumbents will continue to draw
their salaries. 1t is stated that the
Courts have already passed on two or
three analogous cases, upholding the
views taken by those Democratic officials.
Still, as before stated, some Democratic
leaders frown Upon the proposed litiga-
! ton. They advise that it were much bet
ter to let the Republicans have full
| swing, and then the turmoil into which
they viii surely get over the distribution
of the patronage will undoubtedly make
votes for the Democratic party. Anyhow
they say the Republicans may be in power
| only for one year, owing to the friction
| that. will be caused over their selections
| for the offices, and then all the Democrats
/ will be reinstalled.
The proposed litigation does not affect
| Jersey City at all because the offices to
| be filed there are in the gift of the Police
| and Fire Boards, and they are admins
| trative and not legislative bodies, and can
transact business by mere motion. The
| Mayor and the Board of Aldermen being
Democratic, and all the present Office
| holders being of the same political per-