The Jersey City News

ERWINITES DINE Republicans Launch a Boom For Sheriff With Feasting and Speechmaking. JOHN J. ERWIN HONORED Major Pangborn Scores His Party and Flavel McGee Talks of "The Boss."

John J. Erwin, formerly Under Sheriff and now clerk of the Second District Court, had sent him a few days ago an invitation to be at the Hotel Washington last night. When he got there he found a very large gathering of men, big and small, low and high in the Republican party gathered there to do him honor for faithful service to the party and, on the part of some, incidentally assist in booming him for Sheriff.

The boom was launched by Flavel McGee, who had in addition the task of warding off some awkward thrusts made by Major Z. K. Pangborn at the local leaders. The main dining room of the hotel was tastefully decorated with bunting, and at the cross table, presiding, sat Fire Commissioner John Brennan, who changed the usual order of things by having the guest of honor on his left. Near them were Messrs. Flavel McGee, Major Z. K. Pangborn, W. H. Eaton, John G. Fisher, Chief B. Murphy, Postmaster P. Farmer Wanser, Colonel S. D. Diekinson, Judge C. W. Parker, R. W. Dewey, E. McCormack, William Ritchie, Thomas G. Henderson, H. H. Farrier, Assistant Prosecutor M. Van Winkle, R. Carey, J. E. Denecke, H. Schaer, J. Sonneborn, E. Bernstein, Michael Schultz, Jr., C. McCabe, G. W. Decker, J. Rotherbaum, W. Ormsby, F. T. Lockwood, Colonel J. J. Toffey, L. H. Washburn, J. H. Weasteil, Commissioner R. D. Urquhart, W. M. Klink, A. Goodyear, Captain J. Cody, S. J. Blakey, T. M. Coughlin, Rev. C. H. Cussler, F. J. Stuhr, R. McAndrew, J. C. Kaiser, G. E. Francis, H. H. Newman, W. H. Hooker, Captain Archibald, Felix Lowe, E. McAneny, W. E. Reed, A. J. Doan, R. J. Taylor, H. Hauck, H. Rose, C. Lyon, C. DeR. Leonard, C. Basse, J. Locke, E. Johnson, W. Wilkie, J. Freeman, H. Holback, Thomas Lee, Captain Wohleben, C. B. Reilay, R. D. Gilman, O. Schellenberger, J. Riley, W. H. Garvis, A. Ray, C. W. Hoblitzel, Commissioner T. D. Mills, W. Prescott, T. Chamberlain, J. Straus, Alderman E. Fry.

After Rev. H. C. Cussler had said grace this repast was served:

Oysters on half shell
SOUP
Consomme, Royal Sherry
RELISHES
Olives Celery Cucumbers
FISH
Fried Filet de Sole, Sauce Tartare
Pommes Natural Pontet-Canet
ENTREE
Filet de Beouf, aux Champignons
French Peas
Pommes Croquettes
Roman Punch Cigarros
ROAST
Young Vermont Turkey, Jelly
Moet et Chandon
SALAD
Lettuce, French Dressing
DESSERT
Neapolitan Ice Cream
Fancy Cake Fruit
Roquefort Cheese Water Crackers
Demi Tasse

Mr. John Brennan, producing a batch of letters, read one from Attorney General Griggs, another from General W. J. Sewell, and a third from Prosecutor Erwin, regretting that they couldn't be present. Then he proceeded to welcome the guests and complimented John J. Erwin in a happy little speech.

Mr. Erwin, on rising to reply, was roundly cheered, and in his characteristically modest way thanked the party for the honor they had conferred on him. He would, he said, continue to do his duty to the Republican cause faithfully in the future as he had done in the past. (Cheers.)

Major Z. K. Pangborn, who was to respond to the toast, "Reminiscences," descanted on ancient history and administered good advice in very liberal doses. The leaders of the machine sitting near the Major made exceedingly wry faces at the medicine, particularly when he said that in Hudson County, because of offensive bossism, the Republican party had lost ground on account of the machine leaders who were bound to rule or ruin. Those opposed to the policy of the Republican leaders howled with delight at the Major's slaps and cheered him to the echo.

Talk about Democrats and their love of office and power," thundered the Major. "Why, we have in this county-and you know it-Republicans who do nothing but fight for office and hold on when they get it. (Cheers.) I could have had office after office. They were offered to me, but I couldn't afford it; but when I could afford it and asked for one my own party refused me. (Cries of "You're right, Major!") If you want your party to be victorious in this county you must lift it above the grabbing policy and bring it back to good old Republicanism. (Loud cheers.) I speak freely because of this tendency to personal aggrandizement on the part of some. (Cheers.) In this city, owing to the folly and idiocy of certain Republicans, who have tolerated quarrels and invited them by their greed, I can tell you that if these disturbers are not got rid of the party here will lie down in a heap and will deserve it, too." (Great cheering from the end of the room where the disaffected sat.)

Mr. Flavel McGee spoke of "The Boss" and he diplomatically smoothed down the ruffled feathers of that creature which he happily termed "an excrescence." The boss, he said, was nothing new. He was only the epitome of the robber barons of old. Given a leader of ability, brains and genius, he was useful, but put him in a weak place where he led from the bottom he was a curse. Mr. McGee eloquently limned an ideal boss who could dominate men and say to them, go and he goeth, and to others, come and he cometh; a veritable sultan in America. The speaker concluded with praising John J. Erwin, and naming him as a suitable candidate for Sheriff and a suitable victim to his Democratic opponent next fall.

Speeches were made by Col. D. P. Dean, R. Carey and Creswell McLaughlin. Charles Smith sang delightfully two songs, and that ended a dinner to a very worthy gentlemen deserving of a better fate.