Palisadian., 1915-09-18

Men and issues of the great politi-
cal campaign which is now fairly
under way were interestingly dis
cussed at the Cliffside Park Republi-
can Clubs public meeting at Carney
Hall, on Friday evening, September
10.
Speakers of prominence from vari-
Gus sections of the county were
present including mayors, commits
soiners, freeholders and other county
officials, candidates for office in the
coming election. Among these We're
Mayor Webbon of Ridgefeld Park,
Mayor Gertzner of Ramsey, Free
holder Glover of Englewood, ex-As-
sistant Prosecutor Zabriskie of
Hackensack. Other speakers were
Edward G.. 1rion, well-known criminal
lawyer of Hackensack; Samuel j.
Corker, plumber and hardware, Fort
Lee; and James F. Welch, efficiency
and business expert of Wyckoff.
Live Issues Presented
Among the most important sub
jects set forth in the various speeches
were the traditional inefficiency of
the large board of freeholders; the
unsatisfactory condition of the
county's finances; the elimination of
boss dictation; the removing of all
persons now in office; the introduc-
ton of sound business methods in
county government; the new double
slogan of County House Cleaning"
and "No Boss Dictation."
The first speaker of the evening,
James F. Welch, candidate for free
holder made plea for the injection
into office of men of large business
experience. Don't put men with 30
cent minds to deal with three million
dollar questions. Municipalities
should pay not owe. On August1,
last, Bergen county owed $4,30O,-
900. On January 1, next, after taxes
have been collected, we will still be
$4,OOO,OOO in debt.
Freeholder w. J. Glover, of Engle-
wood, candidate for Assembly said
that while he did not belong to the
W. c. T. u, he was in favor of the
Gaunt bill for local option, at least
until better one was brought for
ward.
Commission Government Extolled
Mayor Earnest w. Webbon, of
Ridgefeld Park, candidate for free
holder, said that the crying issue in
Bergen county was the general bad
ness of it's governmental affairs.
There was sickness in the county
and the remedy was soon to be placed
in the hands of the people, The
mayor, speaking of his own COM
munity said that in 1911 it was on
the eve of bankruptcy. It's govern
ment was corrupt, though not in
tentionally so, and absolutely incom-
petent. Then came commission gov
ernment with five members. This at
first was unsatisfactory, but with
the Mayors advent he believed
change had taken place. Now Ridge
field Park was on absolutely a bust
ness basis. 1t had 100000 sinking
fund from which it loaned money
without the burden of bonus. The
people of the town were perfectly
happy and contented.
In regard to conditions in the
county government, Mayor Webbon
said that it had been largely domi-
mated by one or two outside men. In
competency was tradition with the
board of freeholders. People had be-
come greatly dissatisfied, however,
and it was up to them alone to change
conditions regardless of political af-
filiations. Mr.. Webbon and the men
on his bracket, if elected, would ask
the resignation of every appointed
man in the county.
Mayor Gertzen of Ramsey said
that if his election as Assemblyman
depended upon his ability to speak,
he would certainly be defeated. He
had been mayor and councilman of
Ramsey for many years and his
record must speak for him.
Ex-Assistant Zabriskie Scores BrOhel
Ex-Assistant Prosecutor John Ia
briskie spoke of Chairman Brohel of
the Republican County Committee as
the boss dictator, and said that his
bracket did not deserve support.
Twenty-six men had filed their petit
tions as candidates for Freebooter, of
whom seven. would be elected.
Mr.. Winney, of Hasbrouck Heights,
candidate for Assembly, made an ap-
peal for the support of the old-time
organization men, as opposed to the
candidates whose zeal for reform had
led them to depart from the party.
Continued on page 81