Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-11-09
THE ELECTION

have their ears close to the ground and know the trend of
public sentiment fell down miserably in their calculations.
From a strictly partisan standpoint, however, there is a balm
for both sides. While the city will be turned over to Demo-
cratic control after the first of the year, the county is still
Republican and the state as a whole is Republican. y
In the city two or three reasons may be given for the
overthrow of the Republicans. In the first place, the Re
publicans were the victims of ver-conhdence. They entered
the campaign with that cock-sure attitude which seemed
to put everybody to sleep and it was not until the Democrats,
through their quiet, personal canvass, had the election prac-
tically cinched that they woke up to the fact that they had
a real fight on their hands. And it was this very quiet, per-
sonal solicitation of votes on the part OF the Democratic
candidates that gave them such an advantage when the
votes were counted. This is particularly true in regard to
The alderman-at-large and the alderman from the fourth
ward. Meeting the voters in their own homes or in their
places of business, talking to them face to face in an open,
heart to heart manner instills confidence and the result OF
The election Yesterday proves the value of such a method.
After all, in spite of the fact that the city has been
turned over to Democratic control, only one man on the
Board of Alderman who was running for reelection was de-
feated on the face of last nights returns. Alderman waters
is returned from the second ward and Alderman Rledy is re-
turned from the sixth ward. Alderman Anderson, of the
fourth ward, was not a candidate for reelection and he is
replaced by a Democrat. This upset gives the Democrats
the upper hand. 1t was in the fourth ward where the great
est personal solicitation took place on the part of the Demo-
Gratis and it was the fourth ward, usually Republican, that
turned the trick.
In the new city government, then, there will be but one
inexperienced man. He will be the alderman from the fourth
ward. The newly elected alderman-at-large has had much
experience in the Board of Aldermen and has an excellent
reputation as a public official There is no question about
him having the welfare of the city at heart. He is a Perth
,mbovan in every sense of the word and can be counted on
% protect The city's interests in the big problems OF the fu-
nrre.-
The small margin with which Mr.. Calvin won, how
ever, raises a question as to whether a recount might not
reverse the outcome. Two years ago when Alderman-at-
Large Wester was first elected the first returns showed a
majority of three for Wester. William D. Voorhees,, the
Democratic candidate, asked for a recount, but instead OF
showing him elected it increased Wester's lead to twelve.
nv. l.oI q ohopma of nipp UOtpG I061V. win DracU-
cally twice as many votes cast, Calvin has a lead OF but nine
votes in the final count. But even should Wester De
declared elected on a recount, the Democrats, by electIng
their man in the fourth ward, would still take over controi
of the city government in the first of the year, although with
but a margin of one, Just as the Republicans now control II.
With a Board of Aldermen, therefore, made up OF
practically all experienced men no matter which party may
be in control, the city may look forward with confidence TO
The future. The people have spoken and it is the duty of
everyone to get in line and work for the advancement OF the
city upholding the leaders who have been chosen'ln order
that they will be able to do their best.
From the standpoint of the county, the two Repubh-
Fan freeholders who stood on their record of the past year
have received a vote of confidence. The voters are satisfied
10 place this important board in the control of one party
without any minority representation whatever. The people
have so willed it; they alone are responsible.
There is a lot of satisfaction in having a solid Repub-
lican delegation from Middlesex county in the state legisla-
ture this winter. In the first place, it assures four votes for
the bill providing for open specifications in the paving or
The highways. 1t also helps to emphasize the fact that the
state stands for law enforcement and the upholding OF the
constitution of the United States. The Democratic party,
under the leadership of Jim Nugent has been brought into
such disrepute that it cannot hope to attract the votes that
are necessary to success as long as he dictates the party's
policies. Tying up to the whiskey ring and hobnobbing
with bootleggers will not get the party anywhere.
1t is particularly gratifying to have Morgan +. Larson
elected to the senate by such a handsome majority. In
spite of the Democratic complexion of the election in this
city, Mr.. Larson won handsomely, the big vote given him by
the people who know him best was sufficient to overcome
any lead that his opponent might have elsewhere. Credit
must be given Fred w. DeVoe, the Democratic candidate,
for making a splendid run, however. Mr.. DeNoe is a first
class man and has a big future before him if he sticks to
politics. He took hold of what, at the outset, looked like a
forlorn hope, put up such a~eampaign backed by his excellent
record in the assembly that the Republicans had to sit up
and take notice. With a less popular man than Morgan
Larson for his opponent he might have been elected. Mr..
Larson will make a valuable man in the upper house of the
legislature. The voters of Middlesex county will never have
cause to reeret the vote of confidence given him.
The bond issue was showed under in Middlesex,
hainn heaien here hu four 10 one Mhether the vote in the