New-York tribune., 1904-09-03
THE VOTE IN HUNTERDON.
Bad County Rale TO Hurt the Demo
cratic Ticket.

20 some purpose. The Democrats also have been
busy: and in. way thai, while ii has kept them
IN CONTROL OF the county offices steadily. has been
helpful 10 the Republicans. They were found out.
ana nothing is discouraging 20 the average
Democratic county official than be caught. in
the discharge OF his duty. in doing something
which his duty did not demand something which,
in. feet. il would be unpleasant have the
consider. and which ali efforts far have failed
tc bring into court. That IS the kind OF se:sie-
tling that the Hunterdon County Democratic
Board OF FTeehOlders had been doing when they
found out, and although they have succeeded
IN keeping Of IL is quite possible that the
statute is strong enough, IL properly enforced to
Put some OF these particular and peculiar Demo
Gratis in a reasonably tight place.
Although the. Republicans away back in the
minority in Hunterdon County. and while there is
no prospect Shst the Democratic majority will be
fully overcome tho next election. the hope that
the naTiouai and State ticket will be well
supported 10 reduce that majority by several
hundred votes IS not visionary. Hunterdon County
in 1896 and 1899 was irnpregnated with the i6
10 heresy, and the st. Louis convention failed
10 wash IL out. The Bryan Democrats OF four and
eight years ago were Hearst Democrats this year.
Ex-senator Foster and ex-senator Gebhardt. both
Of whom were nOculated with Democracy before
they were vaccinated were the Democratic county
leaders in the Bryan campaigns, and they have not
yet declared their allegiance 10 Judge Parker. In
fact Mr. Foster one OF the signers OF that
address 20 the Democratic voters Of New-Jersey
wlssch caused ex-Unitsd States Senator Smith
some worrlmeht OF mind and conception
that for him trouble brewing. Foster and
Cebhatdt had large plumber Of followers in 1895
and 1900. and not all of these followers; by "A
Huhterdon County Jugful. have fallen away from
theit Bryan leaders
DEMOCRATS TO BOLT TICKET
II is therefore. a popular belief among both
Democrats and Republicans that fair proportion
OF the Brysn-H earst Democrats will vote for Presi-
dent Roosevelt and It IS known that some of them.
because OF their opposition to ex-senator Smith.
whom they hold responsible for, their in
the last Democratic State convention viii support
the Republican State ticket. Most of these radi-
Gals. II Is believed viii vote for Watson. As
incident which leads up to this belief there is
strong talk and ar apparently sincere movement
toward forming Tom Watson campaign club.
At the recent farmers picnic in this county there
was afforded an opportunity something like
a line on Democratic sentiment here. As q drawing
card the custom OF the managers OF the picnic has
been to invite the members OF all political parties TO
send speakers 10 discuss the OF the day.
When Mahlon Pitney a Justice OF the Supreme
Court running for Congress several years ago
he was treated so badly by the Democratic cat
callers and shriekers that Republican up to this
year had ventured to attend the picnic with the
intention OF making speech. But this year Con-
sressman GaFdher. the .'old Brains of the I'D
District. decided. at the request of the State
chairman, Frank O. Briggs. attend the picnic
and try 20 tSke.care Of himself He did BOTH
Alter metapherically wiping up the floor with
Asshnblynan~ Swackhammef. Congressman Gard
ner ventmrel 10 mention the of william J
Bryan The truth is Lange said to-day
Nc. Gafdner was endeavorfng to learn how many
Parker Democrats there were among the 1900 or
s.4e0 people who attended the picnic. The hrst ap-
piSrse that greeted any speaker was that which
broke all over the crowd IN a mighty when
The nams- Of Bryan was mentioned, and on every
occasion thereafter when Bryan's name was called
hundreds pf Dennoersts responded with unrnistak-
ale enthusiasm. and al the end nf his speech ''Old
Brains had the pleasure OF a duplicated round Of
applause.
The snoTmal Democratic majority in Hunterdon
County is about LOCO In the year the majority
for Bryan l.96s and tha; time there a
spEislklsRe of gold Democrats who voted for Nc
kiniey ana another sprnkling that remained at
home. II is believed by well Informed Republicans
that those gold Democrats who will this year
Judge Parker viii be balanced by the Bryan-Hearst
DEMOCRATS who will vote for President Roosevelt.
STOKES STRONG. IN HUNTERDON.
Ex-senator Edward c. Stokes has a strong fol-
iewins IN this comfy and If he should be the Re
publican candidate for. Governor the prevalent
lfef is that he will run quite up 10 the national
ticket. againsr which many Republicans say and
LEO Other Repgfaicans say that unless something
aer in the DARK should come 20 the light the ma
single above 1900 against either the national
OF Ne oet h his one TessOn a fSE % 1e S ny
public school question Under the present school
law encatiOlrai matters and interests in Hunterdon
hayt, beer advanced greatly. \
= 5he taxpayers or this county, said an old line
Denaocrat to-day have warm place in their
hearts for Stokes because ne the father
eBSgs of she s school % Sa iD nenai Ray 4 ae RE
Pnbicsn. one Of the most influential IN the State.
Hunts rdOn County and speak here and made such a
csnyasss as John W Srisgs aid when he was the
astonish some OF the other parts OF the State The
.lere is only the remotest hope OF majority vote
The only county efficer 20 be chosen is surro-
gate The psaaocrstie candidate for that place Will
be -Georgs y Hanson, who has been the Deputy
that another Democratic candidate mad been in
duoed "a withdraw from the contest for consid- cons d.
10hn Baines. ef Annandale He made surprising
ming fpr Governor.
g WHAT INVESTIGATION SHOWED.
Tbs. recent Investigation Of she old Board OF
Freetolders an Ehis county. incidental alusion TO
which has been made al the beginning OF this
correspondence, Will, il is expected. greatly bene-
II the RsphbIean party. because OF the Democrat
Ic corruption IN ofhee which IL uncovered. The tax
pssars now know that whereas the old Board OF
ENreehoIders appropriated something than
10000 Tor a years expenditures. and expended II
an within eight months, the new commission
tcalIed the new boarcD which has taken the place
of the OLD board has fixed the budget for the cur
rent wear at s7l0po and out of this the commits
sioners expect 10 pay the expense Of the recent
investigation G2s.o,0l and legacy Of debt left
by the oIe board oti S2sooo that this county is
now practically on "a ssSoooa basis instead of up
ward of q $4,000 basis under the old Democratic
management The new board, which is Demo
cratic OF course. driven by the sentiment de-
veloped through the investigation of the old
board" a leading Republican said to-day. Ito
make this reduction in the budget. The new board
was the creation OF the Republicans. and the law
which made the commission possible was passed
by a Republican legislature, aided by the Repub-
In addition 10 the foregoing the invesiigat ton
uncovered the saeitlSnsi iaeis that mere was