Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-10-20
THE LOCAL POLITICAL SITUATION

The New Brunswick murder case has put a decided
crimp in the political campaign this fall as far as Middlesex
county is concerned. People seem to want to read about
and talk about nothing else. The absorbing mystery has
had a great fascination and every day, almost. there has been
a new sensation in connection with the case.
But the election is drawing near and it cannot be lost
sight of entirely. 1t means a great deal to the taxpayers
and the voters should be prepared to go to the polls on
November 7 and cast their ballots intelligently.
AS far as the city government is concerned the Repub-
lcans must elect all three aldermen this year in order to
regain control. This is going to be a pretty hard thing to do
especially as one of the seats to be vacated this year is that
of the fifth ward alderman. This ward is usually as strongly
Democratic as the first ward is Republican. Alderman John
r. Clark has been considered unbeatable there and it was
thought that as long as he chose to be a candidate he could
always be elected.
This year, however, the Republicans entertain great
hopes of carrying the fifth ward, at least as far as the alder
manic candidate is concerned. They have put up an excep-
tionally strong man, popular among his %neighbors and a
great vote-getter. Not since Ira R. Grouse was the Repub-
lican candidate in that ward have the G. o. P. elected their
man there. That they are making strenuous efforts this
year is apparent and the outcome will be watched with a
great deal of interest.
AS far as the recorder is concerned, Judge Pickersgil
appears to be a fixture in that position. Party affiliations
do not seem to count in his case. His name is synonymous
with the title of the office for which he is running and it
carries much weight among a certain element in command
ing respect for the law. 1t seems almost increditable that
he can be defeated.
In the race for mayor the people have to choose be-
tween two well-known business men who have been in pub
lie life for several years. Mayor William G.. Wilson is a
candidate for reelection. His record for the past two years
is fresh in the minds of everyone. No comment is necessary.
lie asks the people for a vote of endorsement. Before be-
coming mayor he was a member of the Board of Aldermen,
representing the first ward for several years. Both his
ability and his shortcomings are well known to everyone.
Running on the Democratic ticket in opposition to
Mayor Wilson is John X. Sheehy, a prominent Smith street
merchant, whose business integrity is unquestioned. AS
president Of the Board of Education for the past twelve years
he has done much to place the school system of this city on
Il firm basis. raising its standard to the point where it ranks
among the best in the state. He has served long and faith.
fully without compensation and would show the same ability
as the head of the city government.
With two such wel-knOWn and capable men running
for mayor it is for the voters to decide which one they will
have. In cases of this kind it is a pity that one has go. to be
defeated. The choice can safely be left with the people of
Perth Amboy.
One other thing affecting the city directly is the ques-
zion of a raise in pay for the policemen which is to be passed
upon by the voters at the coming election. On a previous
occasion when this question was submitted the vote was
overwhelmingly in favor of the increase. The Evening News
is having prepared an article covering all the facts in regard
TO this matter which it will publish shortly. An effort is
being made not to prejudice the voters one way OF the other:
the one desire is to give the people all the information
needed for them to vote inteligenty.
The policemen are the personal friends of many OF us;
we all know what duties they perform and we are certain
that the general disposition is to favor them IN every way
possible. However, government expenses pile up so rapidly
these days that no matter what the inclination may be this
feature has got to be considered.
IT is time for the voters to give serious consideration to
these things. In matters purely local, as these are the Even
ing News feels that it has done its duty when it has called
the attention of the people to the situation in as fair and I'M
biased a manner as possible.
More than 500 boys and girls danced and shouted IN
New York streets as they watched their schoolhouse burn.
Where is the Old Gloom who said that children are dl1eren'
in these days?
Wonder if those old Bible patriarchs didn't borrow a
new outfit of sheep glands or something every hundred years
or so.
Present-day craftsmanship most everywhere seems to
he based on the cheerful hypothesis that any intolerable
situation is bound to s~traighten itself out if you just let Il
alone long enough.
What's in a name? France, having refused with abso'
lfe fnaIty to grant Germany another moratorium, extends
the time of reparaton payments a few months more.