Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-07-15
FRANCIS AS COLLECTOR.

NNA RHAA - ~ AHN -
Asa Francis as collector of the port
of Perth Amboy. Briggs is one Of
the "old guard" who failed to see
any significance in the great Demo-
crat sweep last fall. The hand Of
Theodore Strong is readily seen in
the appointment. Strong is close to
Briggs, and having brought about
the ruin Of the Republican party in
this county as far as state and
county Offices are concerned, he pro-
ceeds to complete the wreck by using
his influence at Washington regard
Ing federal appointments.
While we do not deny hal Robert
Carson has served as collector long
enough and that harmony could
never be restored as long as he re-
NAMED in office, yet matters are not
bettered any by the appointment of
such a man as Francis. If this is
the best the Republican party can do,
it is indeed In a bad way.
"Dory" Strong has never had any
use for Perth Amboy except to get
what votes he could out Of the place.
| When he was in the height of his
power there was mighty little he sent
this way excepting what was abso-
Iutely forced from him. The ap-
pointment of collector really belongs
to this city. 1t has been a long
time since a Perth Amboy mar has
held this, the most lucrative politi-
cal Office in the district, although 1t
is located here. This is the first OPP
~portunity Strong has had to use his
influence in this appointment, and
ne not only turns down Perth Amboy,
but even goes outside of the county
to which he owes every honor and
position that has been bestowed upon
him politically. Politicians are very
fond of talking about gratitude.
This is a sample of it for sure.
But the whole thing is most dis
gusting. Here is one of the most
important business offices in the man
agement of the government, yet it is
made a football in politics, placed
at the disposal of selfish politicians
seeking only to crafty their personal
spite. How long will the nation
continue to be run in this way? Why
not extend the civil service so as
to cover every public office? Let
men be named because of their 1T
ness for the place, not because they
have a pull. Having secured a good
Aa- IN office keep him there regard
less Of politics and see th8t-be earnd
the money paid him, something that
is not done under the present sys-
TEN of managing the collectors office.
With Francis as collector, a new
stopping place has been furnished
for Theodore Strong. The former
boss will doubtless make frequent
calls on his pal from Monmouth and,
unless we are greatly mistaken, the
private office in the northeast corner
Of tn. federal building Will probably
become the scene of many a confer
ence, scheming ways and means Of
regaining control of the Republican
party for the old guard.
But the appointment of Francis
shows up another trait in politics.
Robert Carson, the present col
%lector, was a great friend Of former
Senator Kean. Carson did a great
deal Of work for Kean in MiddleseX
and stood by him to the last. In fact,
Kean was under considerable obliga-
ton to Carson for services rendered.
Now Carson's term expired while
the former senator was still in office.
| With his failure at reelection Kean
rIust have realized that he was politi-
cally dead. He was about to retire
permanently, but he had a chance to
show his loyalty to his friend If he
had chosen to do so. But, as Is sc
often the case In politics, when there
is no further use for a man he is
thrown over like a squeezed lemon.
With a new man as postmaster as
we'll as a new collector there will be
quite a shake-up at the federal build
ing. Both new men are friendly to
'Dory" Strong and the one-time boss
must be feeling rather clipper these
/ H. r. L. about tbo ora Of bic