Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-08-29
ORANGE "DEMS"
IN FIGHT TONIGHT
Rival Factions Will Both Make
Try for Prestige in
Meetings.

With rival meetings of the regular
and Wilson League Democrats of the
Fourth ward in different halls to-
night, the Orange Democratic cam
paign will have it's formal opening,
and the coming campaign is without
parallel in the political history of that
city. The dissensions in the Orange
Common Council. which caused a
combination of Democrats and Re-
publicans to frame up a majority for
control of affairs, seems likely to be
continued in the campaign this fall,
and the group of men who now have
the majority vote in the body, it is
said, are planning, regardless of
political affiliations, to continue to
hold the reins of the city government
by seeking the election of men who
are favorable to the present combine.
AS the Fourth ward is a strong
Democratic field, the contest for
councilman there will be watched
with interest. Councilman Owen P.
Casey, a popular young resident, with
business connections in Manhattan,
is a candidate for reelection. He will
undoubtedly be renamed tonight at
the mass-meeting of regular Demo-
Gratis in Crosses Hall, Valley and
Forest streets. Richard J.. Kelley,
who was defeated at the primary last
year, when he sought denomination,
after n term in Council, and who
was for the second time defeated by
John ]. Condron on election day, when
he ran as an independent, is again
seeking a place on the ticket.
Won't Seek Nomination.
He will not seek the primary nomi-
nation, it is said, but will run by
petition following the primary, but as
Governor Wilson has notified his fol-
lowers that the primary is the proper
place for Democrats to settle their
differences Kelley may not get the
leagues support unless he agrees to
take his chances in September.
The Wilson folk will meet at head
quarters. Main street, near Cone
street, and may nominate a third
man to seek the vote of Democrats
at the primary election. 1t is
believed that should Kelley win he
would place himself with the Demo-
cratic Republican combination, hence
the determination of the regular men
in the ward to return Councilman
Casey.
Of the combination the terms of
Councilman Charles F. Coyne. Seconu
ward; Councilman Coleman, Third
ward, and Councilman Mathesius,
Fifth ward, expire with the present
year. Mr.. Coleman will depart from
the chamber to seek nomination as
mayor; Mr.. Coyne and Mr.. Mathesius
will seek to return to councilD
In order to keep control the COM
bine must reflect Coyne and
and any additional men
they might secur would add to their
strength. The Democrats who have
remained together and now comprise
the minority in a body which had
paper in January last nine men of
the fifteen comprising the council
number but six.
Six Go Out This Year.
OF the six councilmen. Smith, First
ward, and Casey, Fourth ward, end
their terms with this year. The pres
minority, to have a second chance
at control next year, would have to
elect all five men to be certain of Il
majority, although with success in
three or four wards they might draw
some of the Democrats from the
Up to the present time the question
of harmony in the warning camps of
the Democracy has been given scant
attention. The danger of losing the
city government to the opposition at
a time when control ean something
does not seem to have impressed the
opponents. and the Republicans are
openly jubilant at the turn affairs
have taken. They are banking on
the good fortune of choosing
a mayor in the fight, and, should The
Republicans elect enough men to the
Common Council to make a straight
majority of their own party, they
would not hesitate a moment In
dumping overheard the Democrats
whose votes now are essential to hold
control of the Council. When,
three years ago, the fancy Jobs were
passed around the Republicans had
a majority vote, and while an insur-
gent, Joseph A. Birkholz. held up the
for a while, the slate vent
through as planned. The Republicans
are hopeful of gaining enough votes
in the five wards to have the eight
votes necessary to a majority, ana
appear confident of not only cutting
down Mayor Seymour's heavy ma
jority Of two years ago, but of making
a serious fight to capture the execu-
tive branch of government.