Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-09-06
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Not This Time

It was hardly to be expected that the Democratic, or any other
political party, for that matter, would allow a election to go by
without naming a complete ticket, no matter what the circumstances
might be. Yet, as the days passed and the time grew nearer for hing
the nomination petitions and no Democrat was prominently men
toned in connection with the mayoralty nomination, there was some
reason to believe that perhaps, after all, the Democratic party would
prove itself big enough to endorse Mayor TenBroeck for another
term IS a reward for conscientious war work impartially done.
Had it been left to the rank and file Of the voters we believe that
such a course would have been adopted. But the politicians must
have their candidates; they must play the game whether 1t is a wn-
ming or losing one. They make their living out of politics and to let
an election pass without a fight would be against their principles,
even if the winning of the war were at stake.
And so, at the eleventh hour, the nomination of Frank Dorsey
was sprung and a complete surprise it was, toe.
Now, MI. Dorsey makes a mighty fine candidate. He is prom
inent in business, is a man of affairs, is active in civic development
and Is really and truly a big man In more than one sense i the
word. We are sorry that Mr.. Dorsey has permitted his name to be
used at this time because he is going to get a good licking; we trust
that the licking will not discourage him SO that he will never run
again, because the city needs men of Mr.. Dorseys type in public
affairs. We are sure that we voice the sentiments of the people
when we say that we would like to see him mayor.
But not this time. No, we cannot conceive of the people of Perth
Amboy deliberately turning down Mayor TenBroeck after the high
class service that he has rendered. 1t would be about the rankest
kind Of ingrattude that could be shown a man. 1t would be reward
ing honest effort and efficiency with a slap in the face.
Mayor TenBroeck is a man who, when he found that his private
business was interfering with his duties as mayor gave up his private
business to devote all his time to the public. That's %faithfuness,
isn't itY
It has been said that the mayor has made enemies because of his
strict and fearless method of conducting the draft board affairs. But
what better reason could be offered for reelectng him than that
The mayor has conducted the draft in this city on the principle that
Oue HAL y y VI SmpuOyS 10 uo UcbbCI Ludh uo1heI man . DJ VI
employee. If the boy was physically fit and had no dependents he
had to go, and no amount of pull or pressure land there has been a
lot of both) could change his decision.
If the people of Perth Amboy r going to find that a reason for
turning Mayor TenBroeck down for another term as mayor, then we
greatly mhudge the spirit of this city.
Few will even know what the aEst&
pRpdpalnies asPsffh Amboy, where t@ss not only a large for
eign population, but where there are numerous large industries all
engaged in manufacturing war materials. Then there were those
long, weary days of the first registration for the draft when the ma
b;par uas nam md arvthin bd IN ha triad ont whan the hours
dragged out far into the night until the early hours of the next
morning were reached before those in charge could find a moments
rest-what an ordeal that wasl Perth Amboy with the third largest
district in the country, was among the first to complete its records
1he standard set by Perth Amboy in that draft will forever resound
TO the glory of this city.
Are we, then, to turn down at the polls the man who had as
much, if not more, to do with winning this enyiable reputation than
anyone else, simply because a good man has been nominated against
hint
We don't believe it.
But the draft is only one of a vast number of things that have
been piled upon the mayors shoulders by the war. Think of all the
diversified interests mat have come up and the mayor has been a
4s been here, there and everywhere talking patriotism and spread
tg Americanism at every opportunity. Then, with the ordinary city
affairs besides, the burden has indeed been one that would tax the
strength of the ablest Of men.
purpose Of winning the war. Considering our population and the
kind of industries here this fact alone speaks volumes for Mayor
TenBroeck s leadership. There have been no riots or disorders here
as have taken place in other cities. We have all worked together
like one big harmonious family for the common cause of democracy
That we have been SC successful along this line is due, in a large
measure, to the careful management and good judgment of the
mayor, who has had some very trying problems put up to him, but
who has come through thus far without a ripple Of disturbance any
where; with all races and creeds pulling together as loyal Ameri
cans, all with the one great object in view. We repeat that the people
y this city cannot begin to realize as yet what Mayor TenBroeek
has been up against during his term and cannot fully appreciate the
mastery manner in which he has handled the most intricate affairs
1t is a civic duty, yes, and a patriotic duty that we owe to our
selves and to our city to re-elect Mayor TenBroeck with the biggest
majority ever given a mayor. That the election cannot be made
unanimous is now apparent, and even with no other candidate nom
mated it could hardly be so because there are bound to be some dis
grunhed ones-men who have tried to secure favors and been turned
down Mr.. DOrseys candidacy win also afford those roekbound
partisan, who would not vote at all Il they could not vote their own
party ticket, a chance to go to the polls on election day. But for the
great majority of Loyal, patriotic, citizens who recognize good work
faithfully done, who believe in showing gratitude and expressing ap
preclanoni Mayor TenBroeek is the only candidate in the running
We hope to see Mr.. Dorsey mayor Of Perth Amboy some day
but not this time.