Palisadian., 1925-11-13

That the Democratic party in Ber-
gen County is not unanimous in its
approval of Bill Conklin as party
leader was apparent on last Tuesday
evening when he was attacked by
some committeeman and committee
women at a meeting of the County
Committee in Hackensack. A num-
ber of friends of Mr. Conklin, who
was not present, took the floor in his
behalf. Conhlin is confined to his
home recuperating from an operation
he delayed undergoing until after elec-
tion, despite the advice of his family
physician.
Called "SeIf-Appointed Leader"
Representative Hicks, of Hasbrouck
Heights, offered a motion of express
sion of appreciation to the candidates
who had run on the ticket last Tues
day.
In doing so he declared that the
candidates had done more than the
County Committee, dts chairman or
Conklin, the chairman of the County
Campaigning committee.
He started to criticize MIR. Conklin
as the "sef-appointed leader of the
party"
One committeeman took exception
to the declarations of Committeeman
Hicks, stating that DIT was unfair to
attack a man who was ill at home
and unable to defend himself.
Mor..n En&.. A,ou~.an%
Mrs. Hicks then arose, saying: 81
am sorry that Mr. Conklin is ill and
unable to resign from a position to
which he was never elected
This prompted Mrs. Conklin to arise
and say:
Men of the party and not sore
heads asked Mr.. Conklin to assume
the leadership of the party.
His resignation need not be sought,
for he intends to do what he prom
ised year ago, retire from the work. ;"
The round of applause that greeted
Mrs. Conkin signified the attitude of
majority of the committeeman and
women present
Everything became serene again as
Chairman Conley called for reports of
the leaders in the various towns.
Each pleasantly reported the results
nm his district.
Edgewater Committeeman Speaks
Committeeman Michael ]. McDon-
ough took occasion to say that if
man could not be condemned at
meeting because of his absence he did
not believe it fair to bestow credit
upon him at such time.
McDonough later criticized Chair
man Conkin for selecting men who
were not members of the County Com
mittee to serve on the campaign
committee.
Mr.. Walsh, of Edgewater, attempted
to explain the situation in Edgewater,
where the Democrats who were not
members of the Jeffersonian Club,
who Mr.. McDonough believed should
have been credited for the victory of
A Harry Moore in Edgewater, Joined
hands in the victory.
The meeting ended with a determin
alton ON the part of all to make
new start" and build a stronger or
ganization.
Protesting vigorously against the
action of Republican officials of Ber-
gen County, whom they charged with
ignoring deserving party workers
when election appointments ars
passed around, members of Count"
Republican Committee brought TO an
issue at Wednesday nights meeting
of that body grievance that has been
ranking for some time under the sur
face of the party organization in the
county.
Expresses Dissatisfaction
The storm broke after the resigna-
tion from the committee of Hiram
Calkins, of Ridgewood, had been read
and accepted. Precipitated by Joseph
Brohel, who expressed keen dlSs3tls-
faction at existing conditions within
the party, the discussion was cont1n-
ued by dozen or more who concurred
with Brohel, among them John Dater
and other successful candidates IN the
recent election.
Asked by Mr.. Brohel why the
county committee is so seldom con-
suited when appointments are to he
made, b. Duncan McClave, chairman
of the committee, explained that he
III his official capacity has contended
with the same difficulty for some time,
and voiced his own discomfort over
the practice of overlooking committee
members when the plums are dealt
out.
Not Fair 10 Hard Workers
Mr.. Knox, of Tenafiy, one of the
sneakers, demanded that more atten-
ton be given the matter of appoint.
ments. declaring that it is no more
than fair that members of the party
who work hard for the election OF the
party's candidates should have some
voice in naming those to whom the
appointments shall be given: Merit
and ability, he said, should be the only
considerations to have amy weight,
and appointments should not be made
merely as a means of paying on OLD
political debts.