By J. Owen Grundy
The next gubernatorial campaign saw Hague backing State Senator Wene (Cumberland County) who lost to Driscoll. Driscoll was reelected by a plurality of more than 75,000. Kenny had pretended to support Wene, the Democrat nominee, but actually threw his strength behind Driscoll.
For many years John V. Kenny had been Hague's second ward (Horseshoe) leader. Kenny had built a county-wide following. When he reluctantly "broke," he took with him a legion of Hague Democrats from every ward, who together with returning war veterans, real Republicans (Edmund Stevenson, of Kearny and Jacob Levey, of Jersey City were Republican county and city chairmen, respectively, at the time, and were sincerely Anti-Hague,) and anti-Hague Democrats, led by the courageous and tireless Anti-Hague crusader, James P. Murray, Sr. and Charles S. Witkowski. Without this combination there could have been no victory.
Also, Kenny recognized the growing strength of the Italian and Polish vote by putting Louis Messano and Witkowski on his ticket. Hague, (who held the purse strings, thus controlling his nephew,) refused to alter his four Irishmen and one Protestant pattern that had won again and again. In 1949, Jersey City, for the first time, had voting machines. This not only insured an honest count, but citizens no longer feared the Hague Machine knowing how they voted. The Republicans were in control of the Hudson Prosecutor's office; this made a difference. Two Jury Commissioners, U.S. Mowle and Mary Angela Doherty, Republican and independent Democrat appointed by Gov. Charles Edison. No longer did Hague foes have to fear trumped-up indictments by Hague hand-picked Grand Juries and convictions by Hague-selected petit trial juries. An Anti-Hague governor was in office. The whole atmosphere favored change. The stage was set for Hague's last hurrah.
There is no point in retelling the story of the exciting 1949 campaign; that already has been recited, accurately and colorfully, by reporter Martin Gately in a Jersey Journal series in (Apr. 9 to May 12) 1969. It should be reproduced in permanent form. But even that rich history is lacking in many names and numerous incidents that played a vital role in Kenny's triumph.
In 1949, John Longo fielded a "third ticket." He conducted a lively campaign. Longo spoke on radio and on every street corner. He had a Journal Square campaign headquarters, as well as the home of his campaign manager, Vincent Ferro, which was a beehive of activity.
Ferro says, "I am convinced Longo wanted to win, and I would not have supported him had I thought otherwise. J.V.K., himself, offered me both an important post and a large cash sum, if I would go over to him; both were refused. On election day, Longo received his biggest vote in my home ward, (the old Sixth or Lafayette,) with the result that it was the only ward in the city carried by the Eggers ticket."
Had Longo done as well, proportionately, in every ward, as he did in Ferro's, the John V. Kenny forces would not have won. (Hague, himself, was not a candidate. Hague was mayor of Jersey City from 1917 to 1947 and never personally lost an election.)
Anyone who thinks that Hague had a clear field, from the time he first seized power until it was taken away from him by Kenny, is greatly mistaken. Frank Hague was constantly embattled by disappointed job seekers, earnest, idealistic reformers, well disciplined Labor organizers, skillful lawyers, adept politicians, and newspapers and magazines. Hague knew how to "dish it out," but he also knew how to take it. Overthrowing him was a constant crusade of more than thirty years duration; and it took many individuals and wide array of forces, each working in their own way, to accomplish it. Some were rewarded, many suffered, all made sacrifices, but never have really been recognized to the extent they deserve.
This Web version, edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
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