Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-10-13

gotiating for the purchase of the wa
ter plant at Boonton, but no Roadway
had been made. 1t was a project en-
failing the expenditure of even mil
lion dollars. The purchase was con
summated and Mr.. N1tpenn, In adj
dition, gave the people a reduction In
the cost of water from $3.50 per one
thousand cubic feet, -effecting a saving
of more than one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars a year to the con
SumerS
From the date of the organization
of the water department in 1852 to
the date of the Inauguration Of Mayor
Wittpenn the department had never
paid or retired a single bond through
it's earnings or receipts. Valuable wa
ter front privileges were restored to
the city by the railroads that had
usurped them. His interest in the
public school system has resulted in
that branch of education making won
derful strides.
1t was inevitable that with his sup
porters urging him to higher office
Mr.. Wittpenn should look toward the
gubernatorial chair. When Woodrow
Wilson resigned the post to take the
Presidency of the United States, Mr..
Wittpenn believed his opportunity was
at hand. So he entered the field with
his rivals, James f. Fielder, Governor
pro tenn, who wanted a full term, and
Frank S. KatZenbach, Mayor of Tren-
ton.
A less sincere man would have re-
fused to retire In the face of such a
promising chance for success, but in
July, 1913, Mr.. Wittpenn announced
his willingness to withdraw at the
presidents request and eliminate him
self from a contest that might endan
the president felt he owed support il
his candidacy. Without bitterness Mr.,
Wittpenn threw himself into the con
test and contributed UNNECESSARILY to
the election of the present governor.
In recognition of his services Presi
dent Wilson that fall sent to the Unit
ed States senate the appointment of
Mr.. Wittpenn to be naval officer OF
customs at the port of New York with
800 men under him. This appointment
was made after Mr.. Wittpenn had de
clined the postmastership of Jersey
City and refused TO consider being
state comptroller, either of which posts
could have been his for the asking.
Mr.. Wittpenn's generosity in with
drawing drew from former Republican
Governor e. G.. Stokes the following
admiring statement:
Former Mayor Wittpenn's action
in withdrawing from the contest to
promote party harmony is most mag
unanimous and stamps him as a man
ly man. / first met Mayor Wtttpenn
when Governor and trusted him In a
day Of corrupt politics to see that a
public building in Hudson County was
honestly constructed. He had the
courage to carry out his assurance to
me in this respect, and my admiration
for the man has grown from hat day
to this.
president Wilson owes him much.
The President could not have made
a successful fight in this State except
for Mayor Wittpenn, and it is not too
much to say that the Wilson dele
gates from this State to the national
convention were the result of the eff
forts of Wittpenn more than any 9th
er man."
Now, H. Otto Wittpenn believes he
has the right to demand something
for himself. Party obligations have
been fulfilled, honor has not been be-
trayed, and the road to the governor
ship lies open befor, the naval officer
and his Republican rival.
For great things accomplished, for
steadfastness of purpose and the will
to obey his conscience rather than eX-
apediency, for business sagacity and
for those qualities that arouse respect,
there is a mile of difference between
II. Otto Wittpenn and any other can
didafQ-