Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-11-05
CONTROVERSY HAS
TOWN Stirred UP
Charges and Counter
Fly Fast in BelIeviIIe
Fight.

Charges and counter charges are
flying thick and fast in one of the
hottest elections Belleville has ever
witnessed. Councilman Herman t.
= Honschka. Republican. of the Third
ward; Henry Mason, Bull Moose can
didate for the same office in that
ward. and John F. Coogan, a Demo-
GRAFT. and Mason's chief supporter, are
the central figures in a controversy
that has the town stirred up. DR.. r.
O. Cyphers. the Independent candi-
date for councilman in that ward,
does not figure in the latest imbroglio.
Coogan. who at the election last
year vas chef worker for Honichka,
early in the present campaign es-
poused the cause of Mason. who is a
member of the Board of Health. In
the latttr's behalf Coogan has issued
many letters and statements giving
reasons why his protege should be
supported in preference to either
Honschka or DR.. Cyphers. The last
named and Coogan became involved
IN a controversy through the news
papers, and when that had died down
Coogan turned his guns on Honschka.
In a lengthy statement he gave his
reasons for turning from Honschka
TO Mason. Among other things he
mentioned the fact that Honschka at
the last election had openly worked
against every candidate on the Re-
publican ticket except himself. He
said he was ready to make an affi-
aavit to. this charge,
Refers to BrIbe OHer
Honschka came back with a state
ment to the effect that the reason
why Coogan deserted his cause for
that of Mason was that he qIonsch-
ka) would not let Coogan boss him.
Referring to the deadlock that ex-
listed in the Town Council over the
selection of a town attorney early this
year when he held aloof from the
other three Republicans and refused
to vote for John De Graw for that
Office, Honschka claims Coogan want
cd him to vote fora Democrat.
Honschka in the same statement
alleges that a man in the Third ward
told him there was 5000 in it for him
If he voted for a certain Democrat.
Coogan and Honschka came out
with circulars yesterday. Coogan de-
MES in toto Honschka's statements
and mentions among other things
that he suggested to the councilman
that he support Joseph A. Connolly
for town attorney. Mason in his
statement referred t o Honschka's al
legation that he was offered money
to support a Democrat for town at
torney. Mr.. Mason characterized
this as being not only misleading
but false.
Mr.. Connolly. whose name was
brought into the affair. feels that
he has been placed in a dubious
light. In q statement today he said
he was a candidate last year for
mayor and for no other Office. He
was not the first choice, he said, OF
the Democratic caucus for town at
torney.i He believes, he said. he was
selected at an eleventh-hour u
held on. New Years Eve. He did
not wish the Office. he says, and did
not seek 1t nor did he solicit any
aid in his behalf. =
Was Not n Candidate.
On the contrary, he say after
being informed that Councilman Car
ragher had presented his name he
entreated him on different occasions
TO withdraw it and he urged the
selection Of another attorney.
"As far as Mr.. Coogan 10 con-
cerned," he says. 81 neither saw him
nor spoke to him concerning the Of
fee, nor did 1 authorize him or any,
body else to speak to any council-
man in my behalf"
Councilman Honschka when seen
today In reference TO the latest
phase OF the controversy, refused to
DISCUSS the matter without the adj
vice of his attorney.