Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-12-21
STRONG EFFORT BEING
MADE TO WIN STACEY
Report of Confer
enCe Saidto Have
Been Held.
IN NDuCEM ENTS

That much pressure is being brought
to bear on Freeholder William I. Stacey
in order to get him to oppose II. Ray
mond Groves for reelection as county
collector, is made more more evident by
the report of n conference that is said
to hal been held at Mr.. Stacey's home
in Jeilo- ~ street last week. Judging
from the gossip among politicians, the
main object Of Theodore Strong and
his machine is to GUST Mr.. Groves, re-
gardless of who is put in his place-as
long as the new incumbent is friendly
to the Strong interests.
Those Present.
Among those present at the confer
ence last week are said to have been,
besides Mr. Stacey, George j. Haney,
the lieutenant of Theodore Strong,
Chauncey O. Baldwin, John Pfeiffer, vii
liam Fullerton and possibly others. 1t
is sa' that the proposition put to Mr..
Stacey was that in return for his vote
against Groves, Mr.. Fullerton, close
friend of Mr.. Stacey, would be made the
next superintendent Of the water de-
partment in this city. Another PROPOSE
tion was that Mr.. Fullerton could be
county collector if Mr.. Stacey would
oppose Mr.. Groves.
Again, the name of William H. Pfeif-
fer, who was defeated for sheriff, was
mentioned In connection with the coun-
ty collectorship If Mr.. Stacey would
only vote against Mr.. Groves.
Fullerton Unaware.
1t is understood that Mr.. Fullerton
was not aware of the purpose of the
conference when he went to Mr..
Stacey's house and was surprised when
his name was brought into the matter
1t is understood that he would not go
into such deal, but before he had an
opportunity to express himself, SO the
story goes, Mr.. Stacey had 4 refused
roint blank to listen to the proposition.
lie said he was for Mr.. Groves for coun-
ty collector and would stick.
1t is also said to William II. Pfeif-
fer's credit that, as soon as he heard
in what connection his name had been
used. he vert to Mr.. Stacey and stated
that he positively would no do any
tnlng that would stand in. the way Of
Raymond Groves reelection.
Put On The Pressure.
When Mr.. Stacey spurned the offers,
the screws were applied, according to
the statement of politicians who claim
to know. They say that Mr. Stacey
was told that he would never have been
thought Of for freeholder if it had not
been for Strong and Haney; that he
ought to stand by the machine that
made him, and SO on. It is stated, how
ever, that Mr.. Stacey's friends met this
argument by saying that Strong and
Haney needed a man of Mr.. Stacey 's
qualities at the time in order to defeat
John Hanson for the nomination for
freeholder and that they could hardly
have defeated Mr.. Hanson had not they
had Mr.. Stacey for their candidate.
Stacey Will Stick.
1t is understood that further efforts
will be made to win Mr.. Stacey over,
but he says nothing will move him. Mr.
Groves has made good official There
is absolutely no reason for deposing
him excepting that Theodore Strong
dislikes him and that reason is not suf-
ficient in the eyes of the freeholders.
The board saw the storm brewing sew
eral months ago. They realized then
that Strong would be after Mr.. Groves ;
scalp and that when he did go after it.,
the break would come.