Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-15
THE REsTLT IN ORANGE.
JAMES SMITH. JR.

Reasons aseribed by those familiar with the stua-
zion and the men and elements that figured IN the
election at Orange yesterday, wherein the advocates
Of commission government defeated the supporters
Of the present and long-estabshed form OF municipal
rule appear to possess the virtue of logic and have
the ring of practical deductions The promoters OF
The movement for a change it is pointed out had
started their effort months ago, organized thoroughly
with active campaigneIs in charge of select force
Of assistants in every district naugurated personal
canvass and appeal system, distributed literature lib
orally and kent up an incessant and persistent agta-
ton in behalf of their and against the existing
government BY these methods there was grounded
n the minds Of many feeling that change would
be a good thing at least that it would work no harm
20 give it a try out"
1t was not until after the commission-rule advo-
Gates had gained a positive advantage and a pro-
bounced lead that the opponents of the change aWoke
70 a realization of their danger and began to
5estr themselves. 1t too late to recover lost
ground however The attempt to defeat an organized
element with a hurriedly mustered and, therefore but
partially equipped aggregation, met with setback
ehat history has shown is inevitable
Allied with Mayor Murray and the other Repuh-
lcans were most of the Democrats who had united
With the Republicans at the last election to defeat
Arthur Seymour, Democratic mayoraly candidate
Among Democrats who joined hands with the Repub-
deans in yesterdays battle men holding office in
organizations bearing the titles Wilson League and
FIELDER Club who days gone by exercised consider
able influence among the voters in different sections
and we're themselves frequently honored by election
70 public place by Democrats.
This combination of Republicans and Democrats,
with the preparedness of experienced campaigners,
was formidable one to hope successfully combat
regardless of at stake particularly by dis
organized force recruited at the eleventh hour.
Then again the peril of probable embarrassment
20 Orange in the event of its becoming commission
governed municipality, from bond-ssuing stand
IL. -, aoaaE md nrninpt nd
public improvements, contained in the warning of
law firm of bonding brokers' and in the statements of
the authorities of Jersey City and Trenton were DIS
counted by the managers and workers in the commits
son-rue movement
This was in despite of the fact that meeting of
officials OF commissioned-governed cities had been
called to discuss the to such cities by the oper
ntions of the clouded Hennessy act They cared not
Cor consequences to Orange. They had set out to
accomplish certain object and if Orange must suffer
then let Orange suffer. AS individuals they would
and some way of taking of themselves So
courers were sent the rounds tell the voters to have
no fear While the revelations of the Hennessy acts
dubious and doubtful provisions had the effect of
lettering many voters from even visiting the polls,
40 discouraged had they become, sufficient time was
not afforded to deal the commisson-rule faction the
u strength OF the blow. This faction was therefore
enabled to weather the storm.
Another factor that figured In the result has not
been lost sight Of and that is the secret ambition
cherished by even pretended anti-commssion men to
obtain higher better paying offices There would
be an opportunity for to enter the list pro
ded change took place, it is given as their way OF
r asoning and the lightning would be just likely
10 strike them their neXt-door neighbor. So they
were willing to take the chance They would have
nothing 10 lose and considerable to gain. Therefore
q lack OF real enthusiastic interest and work on their
part to retain the existing form of municipal gov
eminent.
Candidates for office under the incoming system
are already bobbng up and among those who have
been mentioned are Democrats who seem to count
npon past popularity to more push them to the
9ront
Right here it might be said that these over-conh-
dent ores may be given dose of the same medicine
{bev so cheerfuly administered to others There are
not times ahead for Orange.