Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1912-08-29
Situation Now Seems to
Hinge on Whether or Not
Garrsts0n Will Stand.
BARGAIN WITH SEAMAN
Organization Anxious TO
Make a Place for Voorhees,
In City Government.

III COHpleX COuulllOu lOE lne COul-
Ing forty-eight hours, at least. The
Democratic city organization will
| back the candidacy of Alderman F.
A. Seaman, of the second ward, it is
now pretty generally understood, If
he will resign his seat in council in
time for the Democrats to nominate
William D. Voorhees,, president of
the Middlesex County Board of Tax
alton, as his successor. Acting Mayor
Ferd. Garretson remains non-com-
initial on the likelihood of his ac-
ceptance of the Republican nomina-
tion, and will not give a decided
answer within the next forty-eight
hours, he says.
Wait for Seaman's Word.
Alderman Seaman, who can have
the organization backing, the story
goes, if he will tender his resigna-
tion at the next meeting of the Board
of Aldermen, remains undecided on
the question and will not give final
answer until he has time to look
into the matter more thoroughly, he
states. The organization leaders will
rest from their activities to find
candidate to oppose Mr.. Garretson
until Mr.. Seaman supplies them with
the final word, which, If in the mega
tive, will probably cause them to put
up candidate more to their liking.
The man most favored for the may
orally by the organization, 1t is said,
is William d. Voorhees,, who will
run for aldermanic honors in the
second ward If Mr.. Seaman resigns
his post.
Would Devote Whole Time.
In speaking with Mr.. Seaman on
the mayoralty question, the NEWS
reporter was informed that the sec
ond ward alderman Is willing to ac-
cept the office of mayor if the people
so choose, and will promise his con-
stituents that he will give his un-
divided attention to the Office if
elected. 1t is his plan, if chosen
mayor, to turn over his drug store
business at Smith and High streets
to his son, Ralph, and enter upon
the duties of mayor without any
other business cares. He believes
that he can be elected with harmony
in the ranks of the local Democrats,
regardless whoever his opponent may
be, but, if defeated, declares that he
will accept the will of the majority
without semblance of disappoint-
ment or regret.
Garretson Unchanged.
Mr.. Garretson ayers that his posi-
tion is unchanged; that he prefers
to remain as alderman-at-large-
says he likes the work-and looks
with distaste upon another campaign
at this time. But, he says he will
serve his party if the majority in
oc1yr II i 10 IL
questioned on the reported candi-
dacy of South R. Harrington, Mr.
Garretson informed the reporter
that he would not consider with
drawing at this time in favor of Mr..
Harrington or any other Republican
candidate. He added that he will be
in a position within the next forty
eight hours to give the public a def
mite answer.
Somewhat Split Up.
There is considerable doubt in the
minds of many whether or not the
mayoralty situation will be cleared
up even after the primaries on Sep
tember "a. The Democratic side of
the house is well split up, with
cliques singing the praises of Alder
man Seaman, Recorder Henry w.
Kehoe, John Toolan and William
Harding, all for the mayoralty nom
ination on that ticket. On the other
hand, the Republican leaders are
urging Mr.. GarretsOn to again take
up the standard of that party and
lead the local fight, while the friends
of Mr.. harrington, especially former
Recorder Harold E. Pickersgill, who
Is again out for election to that
office, are booming his candidacy to
oppose Mr.. Garretson or to be select
ed as the harmony candidate in case
the acting mayor decides to refrain
from any campaign this year.
Harrington Ready to Run.
Mr.. harrington expressed himself
today as ready for a "little friendly
primary fight with Mr.. Garretson," If
Mr.. Garretson is willing. He believes
however, that Mr.. Garretson should
withdraw from the race, as he says
he desires to do, and remain as
alderman-at-large Mr.. Harrington
does not believe that the Republicans
should jeopardize both positions by
nominating Mr.. Garretson for mayor.
In case the latter decides to with
draw, Mr.. Harrington declares that
he will enter the race regardless of
any opposition which may develop in
his party before primary day. He
expects to discuss the situation with
Mr.. Garretson before announcing
his candidacy in opposition to Mr..
Garretson or any other aspirant for
mayoralty honors on the Republicn
ticket.
Smith in First Ward.
President Thomas j. Smith, of the
First Ward Democratic Club, has
petition out for the Democratic NOM
nation for alderman from that ward
His friends have besieged him for the
last three weeks, he states, to enter
the race for the nomination, and he
has finally decided to heed their
entreaties. Mr.. Smith says that his
campaign will be conducted on the
principal that the aldermanic repre-
sentatiyes from any ward should be
of the people, regardless of party
affiliation, and that he will run on
self-made platform which will con
tain planks dealing with extensive
improvements needed in the first
ward He will call upon the Republi-
can voters for support, which he
must gain If he expects to be elected
The first ward has normal majority
of $50 Republican votes.
1t is very unlikely that Mr.. Smitt
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