The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-10-27
REPI RLICAN TICKET.
SOME ENTERTAINING HISTORY.

When John j. Matthews appeaied
in Trenton in 1887 as a member of the
Assembly from Union County. the
report came with him that he was
rising man in the Democratic party.
The next year he WAS e-elected. For
the two years following he was the
Clerk Of the House. That far be had
risen, and there he suddenly stopped.
When his second term as Clerk Of the
House expired, he also expired in 80
far as political prsferment was concern
ed in Union County. The Democrats
there had no further use for him. His
ambition to rise to the place of Sena-
tor was not realized. The Democrats
of Union County had taken his meas
IRE, and they knew perfectly well
that to nominate him for Senator or
any other political Office which would
require that campaign be made
would be to invite defeat
So, after awhile Mr.. Matthews drift
cd over into Hunterdon County. He
brought with him the same suayity
and smiling countenance, and some
of the same shrewdness, that had for a
time and only for time-made him
popular in Union. He also brought
with him new broom-the old one
having been worn out in active service
and began to sweep path for him
self.
Mr.. Matthews is as patient as a
mole, and the fur of that rodent is not
smoother to the touch than are his
words and manner to the listening
ear. Political life had many charms
for him. His first taste OF it had not
been unpleasant, although it was not
full meal; and he wanted to go back
to the table. Possibly he wasn't to
blame for that But the way was not
open to him in Union County. Hun
terdon County offered several attrac.
tons, and seemed to be open to his
motives. 1t was uniformly Demo
cratic in sentiment, had powerful
Democratic machine, and boss who
did things something like Billy
Thompson did them in the race track
days, only more so. Moreover, Mr..
Matthews had been SO long behind
the political screen in Union that it
was probable that his record in the
House was forgotten ut least that
it never would be wanted to testify
against him. Even if it hadn't been
forgotten, ii was Just about such u
record rs would suit the Hunterdon
Democratic boss; and once in his good
graces, it would be clear sailing back
into the Assembly, and for a rising
man, possible promotion to the Sen
ate.
When Mr.. Matthews first landed in
Hunterdon County in the pursuit of
politics and II livelihood, the political
situation and conditions were differ
ent from what they now are, There
was some talk of Local Option, but it
was more or less sporadic and HARM
less, apparently; and anyway, with
such powerful political boss as
Jim Pidcock opposed to the proper
restraint of trade in liquor, Local OPP
tion never could amount to much in
Hunterdon. How could it?
Soruns the world away with men
who are indiscreetIy ambitious for
political fame, fortune and prefer
ment, aud who forget that IA man il
known by the company he has kept
and keeps on keeping; who be-
lieves, because he wants to believe,
that his record in one county will not
be in his way in another county. Be-
sides, Mr.. Matthews may have be.
lieved that the Democrats of Union
County were more particular than
they were IN Hunterdon. At all
events, he was not as we'll known
there as he was in Union, and that
fact ought to count for something in
helpful way.
For time it did count for some
thing and it was helpful to Mr.. Mat
thews. Last year the voters were
not so inquisitive as they are this
year. They have had more expert
epce. and are accordingly in want of
more information than they formerly
were content to get along with. But
last year, when they go back to il they
remember, that there was something
more than n breath of suspicion and
belief that Mr.. Matthews had record
that was not just the kind to inspire
the fullest confidence in his political
credentials. However, he was let
slip into the Legislature without very
close scrutiny into his past in that
body. Hunterdon County people
were not as aggressive then as they
are now; neither were they so inquisi-
tive. This year they want to know
what MIR. Matthews has in the way of
past record in the Assembly to re-
commend him to their confidence and
support. And they have been asking
for information about him.
The information they have obtained
from the House records is neither
gratifying nor reassuring. as has
come to be known since part Of his
record was made known last week.
1t was public property. Mr.. Mat
thews made it so when he belonged to
the people, and as they are at the
present moment the dearest thing on
earth to him, he ought to be glad that
they have become better acquainted
with him than they were year ago.
But, as it possible that some sincere