The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-07-18
WAR IN mercer.
Murray and Gummere
Battling for County
Supremacy.
GARDNER OR WOOD !?
Fight For Congress Will
Settle Tilt and Decide
Who Has Power.

Especial to THE Jersey City News"1
TRENTON, July Is, 1900.-It is doubtful
II any event in the history of the Repub-
hcan party of Mercer County has so
wrought up its members as the contest
that is now on over the Congressional
nomination. The fight is one of the live
lest on record here. The torridity of yes
terday's weather was no bar to its pro-
gress. There were conferences without
end, and when the time came to shut up
shop last evening grave doubts as to the
outcome were evident in both camps
After all, it is not so much question
as to whether Congressman John j. Gard
ner shall be renominated or Assemblyman
Ira w. Wood shall be the choice of the
Congressional convention tomorrow, as it
is a test of strength between the respee-
tive leaders of the city and county wings
of the party.
AT the head of the former crowd is
City Clerk Edward c. Murray. recognized
as a shrewd manipulation, while on the
other side is to be found bunch of astute
politicians headed by County Clerk Barker
Gummere. Each is making a supreme eff
fort for the decision.
The Gummere contingent is for Gardner
SN-AN. StiS '-'A NoAt4ASc1ll LUZ ffOOu, Dul
if it were not for the strife between the
factions for the recognition that the bat
tie will give to the victor, the Congress
sional matter could be readily settled
Had Woods candidacy been sprung
some months, or even weeks ago, it is
probable that all of the leaders in the
county would have been favorable to it.
But when it emerged without a word of
warning Monday night the county leaders
recognized that the gauntlet had been
thrown down to them, and it behooved
them to show their hand
General Skirm, although apparently out
of the political game is still the greatest
factor in the Republican party of Mercer
county, and his office has been the Mecca
for the champions of both factions since
the Wood boom was launched.
County Clerk Gunmere and others in
sympathy with him, remained in confer
ence with General Skirm until after
o'clock yesterday morning and when they
had taken their leave. without any parti-
cular ward of encouragement City Clerk
Murray and some of his cohorts made
pilgrimage to the generals office
1t is agreed that General Skirm is for
Wood. but the knowing ones freely pre-
uiStSQ SNSHiliS Lndl LIE Assem- Dlylndn
from the First ward had come upon the
scene entirely too late and that the con-
vention would renominate Gardner when
it meets at Atlantic City tomorrow
Some of the most ardent champions of
Wood refused to give up, however, and
ventured the assertion that their man
would not only receive the support of the
Mercer delegation, but would also have
ai-,-f ~, A.
county delegations.
Just what the outcome will be is very
much of a problem at the present time
From the stories that were afioat at
late hour many of the Trenton delegates
are deserting the Murray ship, and it
would seem that Gardner would be named,
hair and ALL
The contest has produced no end of fun
ny situations, and many of the local
workers find themselves up against hard
propositions. Some of Murray's close
friends are also near to Gummere, and
they find much difficulty in trying to
avoid a selection between the two.
Others who are warm advocates of the
City Hall crowd are also very warm to
General Sewell, and they have been some
what Jared in attempting to make
choice in the war that is raging.
While it is understood that Sewell will
take no hand in the Mercer county scrap
he can be relied upon to issue an order
or two in the other counties of the dis
trict. Gardner has been one of the most
potent agents of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company for a Generation, and his
loss at this time would be material one
to that great corporation. He will not be
sacrificed if Sewell can help it. and Seweil
usually can when the railroads interests
are involved.
Street Commissioner John Ginder is
shining example of the local leaders in
dilemma as to which way to jump in
the fight. He is a most vigorous adher-
ent of Sewellsm and about as rampant
a Murray man as there is loose. He has
been for both Wood and Gardner since
the war was declared. and as the sun
went down last evening was reported in
the Gardner ranks. What today win
bring forth for the careworn street COM
missioner only Providence knows.
The Wood adherents are going to At
lantic City this afternoon by a special
car, and Immediately upon arrival at the
shore headquarters will be opened and
delegates 'seen" in the interest of the
Assemblyman. All of the Trenton dele
gates have been invited to go along in
this special car
The invitations were issued by City
Clerk Murray on his official note paper
The special car, however, it is under
stood. is not being provided for at the
citys expense
All of the Mercer County delegates are
not going in this car, as all are not for
Wood. The managers of the Wood boom
claim that all but seven of the city's dele
gates favor the Assemblyman, but it is
limited that there is likely to be many
others who win NOS be of the party. The
rumored attempt to force the unit rule in
the Mercer delegation will not be made.
and the delegates will vote as they see fit.