Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-03-24
GRIFFIN IS TO
T Be NEXT MAYOR
OF HOBOKEN
Commissioners Sworn In, but
Do Not Organize, Pending
Writ Adjustment.
Special to the Evening Star.

CDcc1dt 10 tHG Evening OtAba
HOBOKEN, March 24.-The council
chamber in the City Hall was crowd
ed yesterday afternoon when the five
newly elected commissioners, who are
to manage the affairs of Hoboken
under the recently adopted form of
government, were sworn in, but did
not organize.
The commissioners are Patrick r.
Griffin, James II. Londrigan, Harry
L. Schmulling, Gustav Bach and Ber.
nard N. Merely. Assistant Corpora
tion Attorney and Master in Chan
Gerry Horace L. Allen administered
the oath of office to each one indi-
yidually.
The interior OF the council cham
Der was banked on all sides with
floral offerings, the gifts that accom-.
panied the well-wishes of the friends
of the new commissioners. Seated In
the first row when the commissioners
were sworn in were: Mrs. Patrick r.
Griffin, Patrick r. Griffin, jr.. Miss
Mollie Griffin, of Jersey City.
Although having taken the oath of
office. the commissioners cannot
transact municipal business until the
obstacle In the shape of q writ of
certiorari. granted City Treasurer
James Smith to review the proceed
ings of the election for the adoption
of commission government. is dis
posed Of.
Mr.. Smith has endeavored to with
draw the writ. but Supreme Court
Justice iSwayze explained that appli-
cation for the withdrawal must be
made by Smiths counsel. Merritt
Lane, who Is expected back from
Providence, r. L., today.
Commissioner Griffin is to be the
mayor Of the City Commission az
soon as the obstacles are removed.
Commissioner Harry Schmulling,
the only Republican elected to office,
said he heartily indorsed the plans of
Commissioner Griffin for the city's
future welfare. as previously OUT
lined. and would gladly assist him In
carrying them out. He, too, was
given a big ovation.
After the commissioners had as
sembled Commissioner Londrigan
made the following announcement:
II beg to notify the commissioners
elect that I was served with a writ Of
certiorari sued out of the Supreme
Court by James Smith, prosecutor,
to review the proceedings had for the
adoption Of commission government
In Hoboken. and that / am advised
that the writ stays the organization
Of the Board of Commissioners"
Addressing Commissioner driff1n.
Mr.. Londrigan then said:
Mr.. Griffin, II Is the unanimous
anl f@T Ha11 IL.
elect that as soon as the opportunity
is afforded them they will confer
upon you the honor of selecting you
as the presiding officer and mayor of
the commission, but inasmuch az
the writ If certiorari stays the or
ganiza II the commissioners. the
accomp ment of our desire will be
deferred to another time.''
Replying to this. the Commissioners
remarked:
THE campaign Is ended. As for
myself, ] hold no bitterness toward
those who attempted to assail my pri-
vate and official character. Let our
work for the city and its people be the
answer to the criticisms and insinua-
tions that have been urged against
us. Let us all work in harmony to
accomplish the things that mean so
much for the life of the people of our
city. Let us raise standard or civic
conduct to which all men can turn
with admiring eyes in the years to
come. Let a peace loving people en-
Joy a lawful freedom. If we shall do
this. our efforts shall not have been
in vain.''
While there has been great deal of
talk about others taking up the pro-
{ 1odings where City Treasurer Smith
left off, 1t Is now said that this win
not be done. First, II was said that
Mayor Martin Cooke would either do
1t himself or that some people inter-
ested in him would do so. Then II
was said that Collector Bowes would
take the action, but he has about de-
cided not to. The chances are that
the whole thing will drop.
1t is stated. however. that the valid
itv of the ballots that were rejected
cause voters checked off fewer than
five candidates on "first choice are
taken up for consideration, they will
be referred to the court and this Ia
likely to bring up the question Of the
constitutionality of the preferential
voting, so that that question may be
taken up as a result of the recount.