Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-06-05
JERSEY C|TY'S
\ ELECTION TO
y COST $4,000
Twelve Men Fighting for Place
Held by Late J. J.
Ferris.
TAXPAYERS INDIGNANT
AT UNNECESSARY EXPENSE
Situation Badly MuddIed and
People Are Thoroughly
} Disgusted.
Especial to the Evening star.I


JERSEY CITY, June with about
two full fighting days left before the
battle of the ballots for the election of
city commissioner begins, the vari-
Gus candidates and their friends find
themselves in the throes of the most
bitter political struggle in the history
of this city, ever famed for the turbu-
lency of political conflicts. The polls
will open at o'clock next Tuesday
morning and close at in the evening.
There is but one commissioner to
elect He will fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of the late James
J. Ferris.
Twelve men have entered the. race,
but only five are looked upon to figure
to any considerable extent in the
voting. These are Thomas H. Stew
art, Republican, and former Assem-
blyman Henry Byrne, County Super
visor James ]. O'Melia, John Edel-
stein and Dennis Mullin. all Demo-
Gratis. Some of the other candidates
may loom up as hope destroyers, in
asmuch as the operations of the Hen
messy preferential voting law are apt
to count in the defeat of the most de-
sirable candidate and the election of
one not SO competent to fill the office.
Apprehension is felt and expressed
that this trouble making and costly
legislative act will work considerable
harm next Tuesday.
A before the battle view of the
field reveals a much muddled and al
most unparalleled situation, and tax
payers are deep and vehement in
their expressions of disgust with con-
ditions that created the mischief. In
dignation at the unnecessary expense
saddled upon the city for the special
election, estimated by Commissioners
Brensinger at approximately $4,000, is
both felt and voiced, and the things
said about the Walsh act and COM
mission government, would not look
nice in print.
Politicians old in the pastime and
who seldom shoot wide of the mark
In forecasting, point dolefully to the
fact that the Democrats are DIS
cordant and with little prospect OF
becoming harmonious. 1t is the vet
eran politicians of the Democratic
persuasion who are doleful, Of course.
why" remarked an old Stager,
''these split up the-back Democrats
are saying the worst possible things
imaginable of each other. They are
as bitter as gall and wormwood. The
only reason they haven't said worse
lnlnRS Is pTODdDlN btOduoC lASS
haven't thought of worse things. It's
bad enough. 1t couldn't be much
worse. Everything looks favorable
for the election of Stewart, Repub-
lican, in Democratic Jersey City.
Now, could anything be worse than
that"
But for the seriousness of the
proposition, so far as the taxpayers
interests are concerned, the complex
l.. lAI1 b,r.,
GUS 1t has its humorous sides and
these would furnish comic pictures
and stories of a war nature, that
might prove good filters in" during
temporary cessation of hostilitieS in
Mexico or at Niagara Falls.
The various partisan armies are
watching each other as reconnoiter-
ing detachments seldom watch each
other in real bloody war times preVi-
Gus to engagements on the battle
field Each side is playing for ad-
yantages and endeavorlng at the
same time to disconcert the political
foe. The plan is to hold out-of-door
meetings at points where the largest
crowd may be gathered and to occupy
these strongholds before the arrival
of the enemy. Wit and strategy
figure in the maneuverings with
friendly help from supposed non-com-
batantS to effect coupS.
Night before last the Stewart ad-
vanced guards marched to a certain
point where they had been given
polite permit early in the morning to
, hold an outdoor meeting. The Stew
J, art troops came along in regular
order. expecting to hear the Stewart
spellbinderS crate.
10 their CONSERVATION and dismay
they found the Edelstein hostiles
safely entrenched in the coveted spot,
with Edelstein stump speakers telling
the big crowd what fine commis-
aioner' their champion would make,
and how unworthy of their suffrages
such common people as Stewart,
O'Melia. Byrne and Mullin were.
The Stewart commander produced
a permit to occupy that particular
corner and asked the Edelsteinites TO
"move on" Would they move on!
Not much, they wouldn't. The Edel-
stems had a permit. too, and, more
over, were there first. They were Ill
possession and intended to hold the
fcrt."
As q consequence the Stewart le-
glons having been outgeneraled, held
no meeting that night.
But next day they swooped down
upon the office of Public Safety Di-
rector Hague, led by Stewart him.
self and with former Congressman
Marshall Van Wrinkle in the van
guard. They proposed to find out
what was which. Hague was not in,
neither was Deputy James Norton.
So the beiligerents moved on the Of
fec of Police Chief Frank Monahan
10 ask some questions.
.laaher-f qzilainomcdFrnkTk II
a diplomatic mediator Chief Mona
han proved to be. Van Wrinkle regis
tered a "kick as he termed II him
self, and Stewart entered a strong
protest.
Chief Monahan was awful sorry. AT
least. he said he was awful sorry.
aand promises to see that these
butters-ih would not butt in any
more"
"But we want this matter attended
to before the damage is inflicted de-
clared Stewart as his forces with
drew.
The above IS but Il specimen of the
worFike t4ctics' being pursued.
julius Bierhals. II prominent and m
fuential citizen. who has espoused the
Stewart cause, in speech AT a meet
ing where the place had not been
prompted. tore commission govern
meDt straight UP the back
"Commission Government to the
extent to which it is carried on in