New-York tribune., 1901-10-07
A HARD FIGHT IN HUDSON
THE REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE TO BAT
TIE AGAINST A FINE ORGANIZA-
TION TO CUT DOWN DEMO
CRATIC PLURALITIES.

The Republican Committee will have a hard fight
in Hudson County to cut down the Democratic
plurality given three years ago to Elvin Crane.
The Democrats have splendid organization and
are enthusiastic. They consider Seymour as Hud-
sons candidate, and will prosecute active CAM
paign and get every Democrat to the polls on
Election Day. The Republican organization is in
better condition than 1t in the last State bat
tie. for serious factional strife in the County
Committee had destroyed interest in the election.
The lack of energy patent even in strong Re-
publican precincts Foster Voorhees, popular
with the people. He had practically been Hudson's
representative in the Senate, and If the Repub-
licans had united and active Cranes plurality
would have been considerably less than 10sSs in the
county. The differences in the Republican organ
izaton have not all been healed. but the leaders
have recently shown a disposition to forgive and
forget, and those who were prominent IN the
minority faction are now working in concord with
their former opponents and it is probable that
earnest and fruitful effort will be made this
fall.
The Republican leaders are exceedingly anxious
poll full party vote, for they started the boom
for Franklin Murphy and they ambitious to be
credited with effective work toward electing him.
They taking active part In the selection OF
local candidates In Hoboken and the towns and
townships in North Hudson, and the extent of the
Democratic plurality will depend on the wisdom
shown In choosing candidates.
In Jersey City the Democrats have nominated for
Mayor George T. Smith. who has excellent rec
ord and Is popular he is a man OF dpiiity anu
recently promoted to be general agent or the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and commands
the respect and friendship OF his subordnates The
candidate prominently mentioned for the Repub-
lican nomina ation is Mark NJ. Fagan, young man
of excellent standing. whose claim is based on the
fact that he elected Freeholder in a strong
Democratic ward. and was beaten by a small
plurality for reelection. Many Republicans would
prefer a of more mature years, and some
have argued that Pagan be nominated FOR street
and Water Commissioner. and that the nomination
for the higher office be given to some more prom
inent citizen.
In Hoboken there is dscord in the Demo-
cratic party arising from Mayor Fagan's opposi-
ton to his party machine. The city has been a
Democratic stronghold. An independent ticket has
been placed in the field. with Frederick Verdon for
Mayor and he anticipates receiving the Repub-
lican Endorsement. and will probably not be dsap-
pointed. It is doubtful II he would receive the Re-
publican support even II he does win the indorse-
ment and the leaders must be cosnizant Of the
fact If straight Republican candidate Is nomt-
mated 1t will improve the chances OF Franklin
Murphy receiving larger vote. as the indepen-
dents will undoubtedly have two sets OF ballots
printed-one with the Republican candidate for
Governor and the other with the Democratic nom
inee.
In North Hudson the charter elections were held
last spring. and the battle will be devoid of local
issues. There spirited contests then In the
town Of Union and West Hoboken and the Demo-
In the fight this fall the discontented Democrats
who were prominent In the convention at Trenton
which nominated Seymour will work and vote for
him Their fight vas to gain rec recognition @ S In theiF
Davis is shrewd and recognizes as district leaders
the who chosen by the district voters.
and he has. by following that rule. built up the
powerful organization that has enabled him to
steadily increase the Democratic plurality In Hud-
He has arranged for a persistent. lively cam
pagn. and In every election district has an organ
lzation that will be required to do active service
and close vigil will be maintained to keep up the
enthusiasm and confidence and check any de-
fection.
1t is this superb organization that the Repub-
lican committee must combat. and II will have a
busy time until the polls closed IL II expects to
make any gains Mr.. Davis realizes that the Re-
publican organization is In a better condition for
the campaign than II has been for several years.
and admits that the Democratic plurality will
probably not be great as 1t was In 1885; but he
estimates that II will be close to 10000 which Will
be sufficient, with the Increased Democratic plural
ity OF Hunterdon. Mddlesex, Monmouth. Sussex
and Warren and decreased Republican pluralites
OF Essex and the other counties. to elect Seymour
Mr. Davis pointed to the fact that Voorhees, 8
plurality in the State in 1898 only 5.49s. and
change OF $500 votes would have defeated him. and
. 800 would have been an insignificant number in
the big total Ss S64 votes were cast at the last
State election.