The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-07-23
Hot Weather Affects the
Activity of Both Politi-
cal Parties.
REPUBLICANS GREAT HOPES
Gardner's Easy Defeat of
His Congressional
Opponents.

Quently tnere is no ACTIVITY IN eltiieI Pea
with regard to plans for the Presidential
campaign. Most of the big leaders are
away from home and nothing of import
ance will occur until their return. Still IN
the meantime many of the county leaders
are keeping close eye on things and are
not allowing their respective organlza-
tions to suffer in the heat and humidity.
The Republican organizations are always
in good shape, anyhow, and more partlcu-
larly those of Essex and Union counties,
which are run on the Tammany plan
The Democrats cannot boast of their or
ganizations, excepting in Hudson county,
where Robert Davis is in control. Chair
man Gourley, of the Democratic State
Committee has a very hard task before
MIN, indeed, to try to place the various
county organizations of his party in fight
ing trim 1t is doubtful If he will meet
with success because of the apathy which
prevails among those leaders who hereto
fore took an active part in shaping af-
fairs. But he viii try at all events to in
fuse some life into the dormant Demo-
cratic ranks.
1t is very evident that the Republican
leaders will do everything in their power
to make the paramount issue of the cam
paign the 16 to plank in the Democratic
platform. Their newspaper organs are
keeping it in the front. knowing full well
that it is the best card to play in the
campaign especially in New Jersey. And
many of the Gold Democrats are of the
opinion that they were four years ago,
that the free coinage of silver is the vi
tai issue The Democratic leaders, on the
other hand, want to keep the money ques-
ton in the background and to make the
living issues of the campaign "anti-trusts
and anti-imperialism." On that policy is
based their only hope for success in this
State.
A Republican leader of prominence was
asked the other day what majority he ex-
pected for his ticket in New Jersey, when
he replied that it was yet too early to
make a prediction. Things are not yet in
shape for the running of the campaign,
and until they were, he said, it would not
be wise to make any figures. There is one
thing very certain, he added, and that was
that Mckinley and Roosevelt would carry
New Jersey by a good round majority.
Should there be a landslide the major
ity would be about the same as it was
-four years ago. Should every county in
the State do well Essex, Camden
and Union then the ticket would not re-
ceive less than $4,000.
Those Gold Democrats who have con-
cluded not to join the Bryan ranks are
in dilemma as to how they shall vote.
They have nearly as much objection to
Mckinley as they have to Bryan, and
consequently they will not vote the Re
publican ticket. In the absence of a
ir1 fal af
to stay away from the polls altogether.
And many such Democrats reside in this
city, and they claim to represent the
views of others throughout the State.
1t is conceded, however, that the Bryan
vote in this State will be larger than 1t
was four years ago, but there is no
prophet who seriously ventures the pre-
dictioa that he will carry the State.
Chairman Gourley, of course, is in the
rainbow chasing business, as becomes his
position, and says that he sees victory
in the air. but no one believes that he
means what he says. As the head of the
organization of his party he is in duty
bound to infuse some animation in the
ranks by taking hopeful view of the
situation. Mr.. Gourley. however, is a
wide-awake politician, and he has gone
through many stirring campaigns. Were
his party united on the issues of the day
and were he to receive earnest support
from all the old leaders, he would conduct
the campaign in a mastery way and per-
haps wrench victory out of apparent de-
feat. But, under the circumstances, what
can he or any other leader of equal merit
accomplish when most of the influential
leaders of his party are either sulking in
their tents or are open and above board
in favor of the reelection of Mckinley?
The monotony of hot weather politics
was considerably relieved during the
week by the sudden and unexpected at
tempt which was made to defeat the re-
nomination of Congressman Gardner. Ol
course, it ended in absolute failure, as
had been predicted not only by the
friends of Mr.. Gardner, but also by de
interested observers. And here, again
the commanding influence of General
Seweli in his party has been demon
strated He desired the denomination OF
Mr.. Gardner and, once he said the word
it was done, without friction, all opposi.
tion having been Withdrawn.
There are various reasons assigned fol-
the opposition, which sprang up SO sud
denly and ended so disastrously. One was
that the city organization of the Republi
can party, headed by City Clerk Murray
wanted to demonstrate to the county
leaders-State Comptroller Hancock
County Clerk Gummere and Postmaster
Yard-that they should be consulted and
not dictated to in the matter of such ar
important nomination. Another was tina
the movement was originated to please
an influential member of the party WHIT
desired to get whack at Mr.. Gum
mere. who strongly supported Mr.. Gard
ner, and thereby warn him that his sup
posed dictatorial leadership was dis
tasteful to many Republicans. Still an
other reason was that because Mr.. Gard
ner so strongly advocated the eight-hou
law for mechanics and laborers certain
manufacturers became incensed at him
and. consequently, favored the move
riant for the defeat of his denomination
1t seems that the law which Mr.. Gard
ner so zealously espoused provides tha'
ali material supplied for Government
use must be produced under the eight
hour system. Anyhow, no matter whai
the reason was. the scrImmage between
the county and city leaders, although d
BRIEF duration caused lots of conamotlof