The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-13
PURE

Is, 600 Republican voters their remeaiai
legislation, which shall at least exhiplt d
desire to guarantee them an honest eiec-
ton and a fair count.
ssThe saloon element under Demo-
cratic administration of the police de-
partment in Jersey City and Hoboken,
have been heretofore under the absolutely
despotic rule of the Democratic ma
chine.
s.Their licenses have been held up IN
definitely, and finally refused as PUNISH
ment for political independence or fall
ure to obey orders. They We're compeHea
to buy their beer of certain brewers, tneT
whiskey from certain dealers, their
cigars from certain makers; and to fali
in either brought an officer to watch the
side door on Sunday, absolutely prevent
ing the usual Sunday trade, and further
espionage during the week to pounce upon
the unlucky offender who filled a can or
a pail for a minor.
These same conditions of trade on the
opposite corner the officer could not see;
his business and his orders were to pre-
vent 'this lobster" from breaking the
law
This condition ofsaffairs has actually
existed, and it was common newspaper
talk at the time, which is only a few
years ago.
1.-THE same elements control the Demo
cratic machine here now that controlled
it then; what can you expect If they are
allowed to resume dominant control of
the police? The New York Legislature
recognizes the fact that New York City
Republicans labor under adverse condi-
lions that are not uniform throughout the
State, and legislate accordingly; will the
New Jersey Legislature do as much for
Hudson County, which is similarly stu
ated?"
One of the Essex men remarked that
the subject has already been disposed of,
so far as his county was concerned, in a
caucus held in Trenton last Wednesday,
when it was unanimously decided to OPP
pose the measure. He added that the at
tempt to induce an Essex man to intro
duce the bill was unfair, and should not
have been made, and declared that it
looked as if Essex was to be made a tool
of at all hazards.
Colonel Dickinson disclaimed all respon-
sibility for the action of Edward Wooliey,
who ~endeavored to nave Mr.. Weseman in
troduce the measure in the House, and
asked the Essex men to reconsider their
determination to Oppose it.
'If this bill is so much Importance to
Jersey City" remarked one of the Essex
Assemblymen, "why was it not introduced
last year in order to be operative when
the important election for a Governor ana
United States Senator was under way?'
To this query Dickinson replied that the
Republicans were in control of the Police
Board of Jersey City then, and no neces-
sity for a change existed.
"Well," replied the Essex member, sit
the result of the last election in Hudson
with your Police Board under Republican
control can be accepted as a criterion, a
change could hardly make the condition
worse. Essex saved the State for the
Republican party, and if a move of this
character were made for the benefit CT
Hudson and we lost Essex in consequence
Hudson could hardly be relied upon to 90
in the future what Essex has done in the
past"
Another member took exception to the
reference to protection for ~saloon-keep-
eTS WHO SOlu pcSI LII d PdAt - S@
minors" and remarked that, while such a
class Of saloon-keepers might exist in Jer-
sey City, they were an unknown quantity
in Newark. Furthermore, he said II any
did exist, the reputable saloon keepers OF
this city did not want a Police Board TO
protect them, and if such a board was
contemplated by the bill in question, no
stronger reason for it's defeat could be
advanced. 1t was evident, he added, that
the plan of having city conventions name
commissioners, whose nominations would
be- equivalent to election, would have just
such an effect, because they would be re-
sponsible only to the delegates who named
them.
The visitors were reminded of the fact
that both the Republican and Democratic
city conventions had approved the plan
under which the Newark Police and Fire
departments are being run, and that the
people Of the city had Endorsed it at the
polls. Other members spoke in a similar
strain. and when it became apparent to
Mr.. Dickinson and his friends that the
member present were opposed to the bill,
they asked that action be deferred until
the entire delegation could pass upon the
matter. This was agreed to, and the mat
ter will be taken up by the Essex men in
Trenton next Monday night.
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