New-York tribune., 1901-05-07
NETJERSEY POLITICAL NOTES.

There Is trouble in the Hudson County Demo
cratic camp. The disinteSrstion Of the machine
Is threatened-but only threatened I, has before
tSen threatened since Robert Davis has been It's
manager but its rule has never been seriously IN
terFupted for any Teugth Of time " is true that
the Democrats or West Hoboken have opposed the
machine and been able to defeat 1t in two or three
local elections. but II is certain that Mr. Davis
dd not discourage the opposition to, il ne aid not
aid, the Mayor Of that small baulwick I'm his con-
lead 10 that belief. and IL IS well known that Mr.
Davis while he Occasionally permits the machine
to override him masters It's workings when il
comes TO the point OF counting the votes. and let's
his individual control of forces which may be use
IN al a later time II this was not The case in
take in the sisns which are usually reliable.
The strongest opposition to the regular machine
now is accredited to Laurence Fagan. the Mayor Of
Hoboken, who is supposed to control the major
part Of the Democratic vote in that town, in West
Hoooken, In North Hudson and in Union Hill. Mr
boken and has a strong following beyond doubt
But hts ability 10 block the wheels of the Davis
make trouble and seriously inrerfere With its
prestige and control is generally admitted The
IS recent election returns have shown, is not much
quent occurrence in that county. OF course. but
there have been times In receat years when the
the opponents Of the machine are building. and
they call their opposition the balance of power.
The position Of Mayor Hoos who is admittedly a
strong Democratic factor in the approaching strife
for the control OF the party. is not known Yes
terday he resolutey declined commit himself
replying to all inquiries that he had nothing 10
just II may be said however, that the
chine Democrats are anxious 10 know where ne
them. II is known that DR.. McGill. the president
of the Jersey City Board of Health who stands for
hossism is in favor OF the renomination Of Mr.
Hoos for Mayor. and that the machine Democrats
which necessarily causes friction within the party.
Or MeGin does noi desire conflict within the
fact that he has done much for clean government
an and nr & Sd 9 NOT bP Wse for 70 b
Democrats 10 antsgonize, as they admit.
Robert Davis who s the wheel about which all
the other wheels Of the Democratic machine
volve probably is ths most astute manager that
the party in Hudson County has ever had In
his office in the City Hall at Jersey City Yesterday
he was busy receiving reports Of the situation & fr1m
outcome Of the threatened strife. he did betray
there was nothing to indicate that he had not the
eeonndenee of his most intelligent supporters %
chine he said The Democratic organization Is
gage in one We believe in party harmony. and
our aim is to promote il, for that way hes party
can hold up our end without serious trouble. These
party kicks periodical evils and little shake
Results
The most interesting feature of the Democratic
situation in Hudson County. however, Is the rumor
that ex-United States Senator Smith is taking
hand in il. and that he is silent partner OF Mayor
Fagan. encoura ging him TO make the revolt against
the machine. Democrats who believe that Mr.
Smith Is looking into political affairs in Hudson
County also believe that his motive is divide the
party delegation in the next Democratic State Con-
venton. for the purpose Of defeating Mayor Sey-
mour OF Newark for the nomina ton for Governor
This may or may not be true, Mr.. Smith Is q
politician who is possessed of large and peculiarly
assorted variety of resources, and is a man TO
spect of the Hudson County machine At any
rate the Davis watching him. and the
threatened revolt makes political matters in that
county more interesting than they have been for