The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-11-22
PRECINCT PRIMARIES.
Deckerites Are Trying to
Make it Hot for
Woolley.

There were signs of a good fight last
evening at the meeting of the Republ-
can Ward Association of the Eighth
ward. when the Decker faction put in an
appearance. Precinct primaries have been
the bone of contention here as elsewhere,
and this fact perhaps more than any
thing else caused the turning of the ward
into the Democratic column on two occa-
sions. 1t was the avowed intention of the
Deckerites to spring little resolution on
the machine forces. in which the Decker
followers advocated separate primaries.
Some time ago the anti-ring people sue
ceeded in passing such a resolution, but
1t was subsequently rescinded Profiting
by one experience, the machine forces
We're not to be caught mapping again and
the organization followers were out last.
evening in force ready to meet every
move of the opposing faction.
The size of the machine contingent
rather overawed the Deckerites, for the
pet resolution was kept closely under
cover. But some of the rings enemies
protested loud and long against joint
primaries to no purpose. They want a
primary in every one of the ten precincts
in order to have what they term fair
chance
There is no ward in the county where
dissension is more apt to cause trouble
in the ranks than in this ward. 1t is safe
to predict a hot and bitter fight on the
night of December S, when fourteen COM
mitteemen are to be chosen to represent
the various precincts. Unusual interest is
centered here because of the expiration of
the term of Chairman Edward w. Woolley
of the County Committee. There are
various stories afoat as to Mr.. Woolley's
proposed action regarding the chairman
ship for 1901, but the chairman has not
committed himself. He is to wait until
after the primaries are held before he
makes known his decision.
Mr.. Woolley is to run again from the
Third precinct of the Eighth ward, and
presumably against George w. Robertson,
secretary of the Decker Association and
of the Ward Association. In combining
the First, Second. Third and Fourth pre-
cincts, the machine forces hold the upper
hand. Again this combination the anti
ring people stand no chance and they
realize the hopelessness of fight. But
they intend to make stand even against
such odds.
The Seventh, Eighth and Tenth pre-
cincts have also been combined, leaving
the Fifth, Sixth and Ninth separate. The
last three precincts are conceded to the
anti-ringsters, while the remaining seven
precincts are certain to give the machine
forces a good majority for their commit
teemen. This ward gets twenty-nine COM
mitteemen. 1t is now the largest in the
county The ward leaders fear no i'll re-
suits from the coming primaries and even
talk of carrying every precinct in the
ward against all the efforts of their op-
ponents.
The Ward Association was not produc-
tive of much excitement. The leaders
will prepare their list of committeeman
next week. The Decker faction will also
look after fourteen men to oppose the ma.
chine candidates. The Deckers explain
that they want to capture the ward from
the old leaders who are no longer the
idols of the Republicans of the ward or
county. New blood is their cry and un-
til this new material is allowed to take
hold and manage affairs the county will
always be split up and factional fights be
numerous and bitter. OF course there are
those who would like to see Mr. Decker at
the head of the County Committee.
Mice men and all that" they say. ''but
one can readily see the improperly of al
lowing the anti-organization men to cap
ture the leadership" Then again, the
leaders appear to be satisfied with the
present state of affairs and it is more
than likely that Mr.. Woolley will be re-
uueSted to remain as chairman