The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-09-29
LENTz HOLDS HIS
GUARDIANSHIP
Gallant Major Absolutely
Declines to Step Down and
Out At Colby's Request.
LEADERS HELD a CONFERENCE
SESSION WAS SECRET WITH
COLBY PRESENT AND THE RE.
suit WAS THAT LENTz
SHOULD DIRECT THE CAM
PAIGN.

Special to ..The Jersey CITY News
NEWARK, Sept 20, 1905 Major
Lentz absolutely declines to step down
and out from the chairman hip of the
Essex Republican Committee A spec
ial committee of the County Committee
conferred regarding the letter yesterday.
Colby himself was present.
The meeting was secret one. Itwas
lively. There were other candidates
present besides the Senatorial nominee.
and when in the course Of red hot
discussion of the proposition for Lentz to
step down Mr.. Colby referred to ''my
campaign and repeated the expression,
he was called to book in a somewhat
vigorous manner by one of his running
mates. who reminded the West Orange
independent that he was not the only
man on the party ticket. and that the
wishes of others should have at least
some consideration.
The diplomatic refusal Of the Mpjer
to bow to the dictates of the victorious
Colby forces took. the shape of tha
adoption of resolution offered By
Assistant Prosecutor Wilbur A. Mott, as
follows
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
committee that this campaign shall be
conducted by this committee under its
present officers. At the same time we
desire to extend to all candidates the
fullest opportunity to familiarize them
selves with all the details of the cam
paign and to be in position to ask
advice and be freely consulted; to- that
end we hereby elect all the candidates
on the county and city tickets ad-
visory and consulting members of this
committee and direct the secretary
whenever a meeting of this committee
is called to notify them to be present.
"We deem it advisable that regular
meeting of this committee be held at
least once week during the campaign,
ssWe approve the suggestion made by
the Chairman of the County Commit
tee that Mr.. Gardner Colby be ap-
pointed a member of the Finance Com
mittee.''
The Colbyites did not like the resolu-
ton, but it was adopted by a decisive
vote. Its effect was to declare that
this campaign shall be conducted in the
same manner that other Essex County
Republican campaigns have been carried
on-under Lentz's leadership and accord
ing to his domination.
The only concession offered the Colby
men was the approval Of the suggestion
that Gardner Colby. the Senatorial can
didate's brother. shall be placed on the
finance committee. 1t has always been
customary to make the party candidates
consulting members. and it has been long
the custom for the executive committee
to hold frequent meetings.
Before the blank refusal of the Major
to grant the Colby demands was made
effectual by the adoption of the resolution
the family quarrel assumed very serious
proportions. The organization profess
ed to be shocked beyond measure that
almost Immediately after all the Colby
ite candidates. including their leader, had
accepted the arrangements made by the
County Committee to take up the fight
for all the party nominees they should
have revolted.
Mr.. Colby adhered to the arguments
advanced in his letter. He declared it
would be absurd and incongruous for
him to accept the leadership of Lentz
after all that had passed in the ante
primary fight.
The Colby men declared after the
adoption of the "stand pat'' resolutions
that they will not abide BY them.
Whether the differences will attain the
magnitude of an open split and a deci-
sion of the Colby forces to go it alone"
will depend upon the result of confer
nnca they have arranged