The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-13

Sounding a note for the selection OIL
Under-Sheriff Charles. M. Mason as the
candidate of the Democratic party for
Sheriff next fall to succeed his chief,
Sheriff Sommer, In the work of purify
ing Essex County. Laurence T. Fell,
member of the County Board for the
Equalization of Taxes and former chair
man Of the Democratic County Committee,
has announced his declinatiop of the
honor of the nomination and also spoke for
non-partisan government in the city OF
Orange. The occasion for Mr.. Felps
speech arose at a meeting of the Second
Ward Democratic executive commit
tee, Orange, on Saturday night, when the
former city leader was named for reelec-
ton to the Democratic County Commit
tee. He surprised his auditors with a
formal speech. in which he advocated the
selection of Mr.. Mason; declared for non-
partisan government in Orange and for
mally retired as candidate for the shriev-
atty.
The significance of Mr.. Fell's declara-
ton. owing to his prominence in the coun-
ellis of his party. also settles the ambitions
of Mayor Isaac Shoenthal. of Orange, who
in an interview is quoted as saying he
would accept the shievalty nomination,
although he had previously announced his
Intention to run for Mayor of Orange
again.
Mr.. Fell, in declining election as execn-
tive member of the county committee,
said:
ITO my mind the man who accepts tho
position of executive member in this ward
this year should be so situated that he can
devote the necessary time to the work. 1t
IS going to be a very important year. We
shall have important county offices to fill
ana the presidential campaign will be on.
MY connection with the County Board Of
taxation makes 1t not only Inappropriate
! IhQf Ghn1flH Hnrxrn ktrf n1-@ nIr.a 80 o.
much of my time that it would be impos-
sible for me to devote the time necessary
Tor the work of an executive member.
With the selection OF n county hair
man Monday night the campaign in this
county will practically start. | am not
interested in the selection of the hair
man. and am satisfied that whoever is
selected will be a capable man. | have no
DOUBT that the members of the county
committee from Orange will cast their
votes for the man they think will best fill
the once. In declining the executive mem
oership, do not mean that it should be
inferred that | intend to give up all in
terest, in politics, for | believe every citi-
zen should take an interest in such mat
tiers. MY action simply means that I shall
not participate In the active management
OF the campaign.
with reference to our eity's affairs l
am convinced that the best interests Of
the city can be served by a non-partisan
government. This. of course. cannot be
accomplished without civil service, but as
49, Pe'NhNo III lnt last cdIlpdiSH plPuReu
themselves to civil service / lave no doubt
that the Incoming Legislature will enact
legislation accomplishing that end. With
the municipal officers under civil service
1t would be very easy in cities Of the size
OF Orange to have a non-partisan govern
ment and get away from the bitter partisan
fights of every election. You know, and
the Republican leaders must agree, how
hard 1t is TO persuade good citizens TO
make q primary or campaign fight. With
a n~ou-partisan government this would be
eliminated and the results to the municipal
ity would be of the best.
The subject of non-partisanship in pol
itics suggests the satisfaction which | and
hundreds of other citizens feel over the
activity displayed by the clergy in pol
itics In this county. This activity has been
enGendered because of our system of parti-
sanship, IL real non-partisanship prevailed
we would have better government, and In
consequence the clergy would not have SO
much occasion to take an active part in
politics and they would be content to de-
vote their whole time to their particular
fields of duty. Under present conditions
their activity is practically a necessity
and the people welcome 1t.
1T has been suggested to me by some
OF my friends that l become a candidate
for Sheriff this year. / am not a candi-
date and do not wish to be considered
as such. n you and other Democrats of
the county could get together and see your
way clear to placing in nomination some
such capable man as Charles M. Mason,
the present under-sheliff, you viii be
taking a long step in the direction of good
government and clean politics."