Introduction
BERNARD JOSEPH “BARNEY” TRACY was born in Pennsylvania around 1881 to Thomas and Mary Tracy. The Tracys came to Stockton Township during the first half of the 1890s, settling at 2006 Federal Street where Thomas Tracy ran a saloon. By the summer of 1900 Barney Tracy had gone to work at a leather factory, a trade he would follow almost exclusively into the 1930s.
Barney Tracy joined the Improved Order of Red Men in Camden around 1902, and became involved in politics shortly afterward. The family was living at 58 Boyd Street when the Census was taken in 1910. Sons Thomas and Harry had already arrived; a daughter, Roberta, would soon follow. The 1914 City Directory shows the family at 105 Marlton Avenue, and also reveals that Barney Tracy had taken a shot at running a retail variety store. This venture did not pan out and he was working at the Keystone Leather Company factory by the summer of 1918.
Barney Tracy was a life-long Democrat. During World War I he worked registering men in the Twelfth ward for the draft. He was living at 2001 Federal Street in September of 1918 when he himself registered, local businessman Charles A. Reynolds handling the formalities of that transaction. Barney Tracy was then working for the Keystone Leather Company at 1600 Mickle Street.
In the early 1920s he was a supporter of Victor King, and was instrumental in having Camden’s form of government changed to commission in 1923. By the 1930s he had risen to the post of County Committeeman from the Twelfth Ward, which comprised East Camden. So popular and effective in getting services delivered to his area that Barney Tracy was known as “The Mayor of East Camden.” He served three terms on Camden County’s Board of Elections.
By 1930 Barney Tracy was living at 2003 Federal Street in East Camden with his wife Freda and children Thomas, Harry, and Roberta. He was then working as a foreman at one of Camden’s leather factories. Around 1936 he was appointed to run the United States Marshal’s office in Camden, and served in that capacity through at least 1938. In the late 1930s and early 1940s his next door neighbor at 2001 Federal was Samuel J. “Buddy” Leyman, who operated a sandwich shop from the address. Samuel Leyman would be drafted and killed in action while serving with the United States Army in Europe in December of 1944. Thomas and Harry Tracy, also known as “Barney” were well known in Camden as athletes. Both played professional basketball in the Eastern League in the 1920s and in semipro leagues in the 1930s, and Harry “Barney” Tracy played with the traveling House of David baseball club, sporting a long red beard.
By the time the 1947 Camden City Directory was published Barney Tracy was approaching the age of retirement. Still living at 2003 Federal Street, he was then working as a custodian at the William McKinley School which stood at the corner of 35th and Mickle Street in East Camden. Son Harry Tracy was still living at home, and was serving as an officer in Camden’s Police Department. He appears to have moved to 130 North 24th Street sometime thereafter, and is listed in the 1959 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory at that address.
World War I Draft Registration Card
World War I Draft Registration Card for Bernard J. Tracy
Parish Plans Party for Father Brennan
Camden Courier-Post —
A farewell party will be given tonight for Rev. William J. Brennan, assistant pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Twenty-ninth [sic] street and Westfield avenue, who has been transferred to Iselin, where he will become pastor of St. Cecelia’s Church.
Father Brennan came here 14 months ago from New Brunswick, where he was assistant pastor of St. Peter’s Church. He is 39, a native of Wallingford, Conn., and was for a time in charge of the Hopewell Orphanage, Beverly. Since coming here to assist Rev. Charles McCorriston, he has taken much interest in children of St. Joseph’s Parochial School and has taken an active part in staging plays and athletic events.
Bernard J. Tracy will be toastmaster at tonight’s party, to which priests from all parishes in this vicinity have been invited. The committee in charge is headed by Tracy as chairman and includes John Carroll, Frank Doherty, John Nettleton and Joseph Smith.
Republicans Seek Mrs. Hyland's Job On Election Board
Camden Courier-Post —
Will Drop Mrs. Stinson To Win Place for Mrs. Caperoon
AIM AT CAPTURING POST OF SECRETARY
Plan Revolves About Law’s Jig-saw Puzzle on Member’s Ages
By MERCURY
A change in the Republican membership of the Camden County Board of Elections will take place when that body reorganizes March 1, with the G. O. P. looking towards ousting Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Democrat, as secretary of the board and commissioner of elections.
According to a well-founded rumor afloat last night, a meeting of the Republican Conference Committee held yesterday afternoon decided to drop Mrs. Lottie B. Stinson, Republican, and chairman of the board, in favor of Mrs. Pauline Caperoon, office manager of county Republican headquarters at Broadway and Stevens Street.
By this move the Republicans hope to regain the secretaryship, lost when Mrs. Stinson succeeded Edwin G. Scovel as a member of the election board six years ago. At that time Scovel was secretary and Mrs. Hyland was chairman.
At that 1927 reorganization meeting following Mrs. Stinson’s appointment, the Democrats pulled a fast one on their rivals by nominating Mrs. Stinson for the post of chairman. The law provides that the secretary must be of opposite political faith from the chairman, and as the secretaryship carries with it the post of commissioner of elections, it is the coveted plum.
The Republicans promptly nominated Mrs. Hyland for re-election as chairman and a vote was taken. Each nominee received two votes, the Republicans voting for the Democrat and the Democrats for Mrs. Stinson.
With the result a tie, the Republicans claimed that Mrs. Hyland should remain as chairman, but the Democratic members produced the law which instructed that in case of a tie vote for chairman, the post should go to the oldest, in the matter of age, of the two nominated. So, Mrs. Stinson was declared chairman and Mrs. Hyland selected as secretary. If the Republicans had nominated Bernard B. Tracy, the second Democratic member at the time, the two Democratic ballots undoubtedly would have been cast for Mrs. Hyland creating another tie and Mrs. Hyland would have been awarded the secretaryship on the same grounds Mrs. Stinson was made chairman.
The post of secretary of the election board pays an annual salary of $2250. Minus the 30 percent cut, the secretary will receive $1575. All other members of the board, are paid $1500 annually, less the 30 percent which brings their pay down to $1050.
Both Mrs. Hyland and Mrs. Stinson’s terms are up this year. The other members of the board are William E. A. King, Republican, and Charles J. Clark, Democrat.
Mrs. Hyland, who is Democratic State Committeewoman of Camden County, will undoubtedly be reappointed to the board. Appointment is made by the governor upon recommendation of the members of the state committee from the county involved.
It is not known who the Republicans have selected as their choice for the secretaryship, but it is believed Mrs. Caperoon will get the coveted post. As partial repayment for losing her place on the election board, Mrs. Stinson, who is Republican County committeewoman from the Fourteenth Ward, will probably be given Mrs. Caperoon’s place at Republican headquarters.
Mrs. Caperoon resides at 346 Carteret Street, in the Ninth ward. She is the wife of Frederick W. Caperoon, musical director of WCAM.
Democrats Arrange for 'Maloney Day'
Camden Courier-Post —
July 9 Set for Reception and Picnic to New Revenue Collector
“Harry L. Maloney Day” will be celebrated by South Jersey Democrats, Sunday, July 9, when the newly-appointed collector of internal revenue will be guest of honor at a picnic at Silver Lake Park. State leaders of the party will attend. Maloney, Democratic state committeeman from Camden County and Mayor of Bellmawr, was named by President Roosevelt to succeed Edward L. Sturgess and is expected to take office by July 1.
Plans for the outing were made last night at a meeting in Democratic headquarters, 538 Stevens Street, at which Albert S. Marvel, Jr., was named chairman of the general committee. Vincent de P. Costello was elected secretary and former Mayor Victor King treasurer.
The committees follow:
Ways and means – Sidney Kaplan, chairman; Judge Samuel M. Shay, Judge Frank F. Neutze, Victor King, Vincent Gallaher, Samuel P. Orlando and Thomas N. Madden.
Entertainment – Joseph A. Varbalow, chairman; Patrick H. Harding, Joseph E. Nowrey, Calogero Salvagio, Thomas Cavanaugh and Joseph A. Gorman.
Refreshments – Ralph W. Wescott, chairman; Raymond Hadley, Walter Bateman, Joseph Ackroyd, James Hainesworth, Joseph Harczynski.
Athletics – Frank Abbott, chairman; John Lyons, Joseph McVey and Daniel T. Hagans.
Music – John P. Bissinger, chairman; Ventorino Francesconi, William Bell, Bernard Tracy and Matthew P. Johnson.
District organization – Michael J. Powell, chairman; Dominick Josephs, Ralph Comilli, Herbert McAdams, William Noonan, Edward Huston, Harry Daly and William Kistner.
Transportation – Mayor Emerson Jackson, of Gloucester, chairman; Lewis C. Parker, George Cohen, John Bennett, Horace L. Brewer and Sabba Verdiglione.
Printing – Charles J. Clark, chairman; Raymond Saltzman, Jack Goldstein, Walter Kelly and William M. Williams.
Publicity – Edward C. Bowe, Herbert Beattie, Patrick Whalen, Alfred R. White and Luke Bates.
Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, state committeewoman, and Miss Marie V. Kelley, vice-chairman of the county committee, will head a women’s reception committee to be chosen later.
The committees will meet again Monday night to complete arrangements.
Court Aide to Speak at East Camden Club
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank J. Suttill, deputy clerk of the Camden City District Court, will address the Twelfth Ward Democratic Club tonight at its clubhouse, Federal Street near Twenty-seventh Street.
Suttill will deliver a “Resume of the Roosevelt Administration’s Achievements.” He also will discuss whether the Constitution should be amended and the power of the U. S. Supreme Court be curtailed.
In accordance with the new practice of the club, Bernard J. Tracy, county committeeman, arranges with some outstanding member of the Democratic Party to address the members each month.
Democrats Demand 7 Streets Be Fixed
Camden Courier-Post —
12th Ward Club Sends Request Hartmann; Suggests WPA Project
The Twelfth Ward Democratic Club has requested City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., to repair seven streets in the first precinct of the ward.
Recommendations for the fixing of the highways were made by Bernard J. Tracy, Democratic county committeeman of the ward, and unanimously adopted by the club, according to William A. Miller, secretary. The club meets at 2716 Federal street.
Commissioner Hartmann said he will give the request immediate consideration and will order an inspection of the streets. “Not only will I look at those streets,” said Hartmann, “but I will make an inspection of others in the immediate vicinity, and then will see what can be worked out. I am just as anxious as anybody to have the streets in first class condition, and we will see to it that Camden has streets worthy looking upon as improvement.”
The streets are Boyd to Baird boulevard, Morse to Baird boulevard; Twentieth street, Federal to Carman street; Boyd to Cooper street; Twentieth street, from Nineteenth street to Jessie; Morse from Stevens to Marlton avenue; from Twentieth street to State street; also an alley in the rear of Federal street and an rear of homes on Cooper street, running from Morse to Marlton and East Slate street.
Tracy attached a letter in which he suggested the work as a WPA project.
Streets in Camden, he pointed out, are in such a bad state of repair that residents have in many cases begun looking for homes in other parts of the city.
“It has been so long since anything in any great importance in the line of street improvement in the ward,” for the lower section of the ward. I might say that action for cleaning of that action does not recall.”
“Occupants of the houses on streets which we seek to have repaired,” continued Tracy,” let it shatter at their windows or on porches owing to the dirt and filth being blown from the thoroughfares, seeping through the streets from passing autos continually dust and redust their furniture and sometimes have to launder their names on their furniture.”
Twelfth Ward Club Condemns Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Resolution Attacks ‘Act of Deserting Party Which Gave Him Opportunity’
The Twelfth Ward Democratic Association, by unanimous vote, has condemned former Governor Alfred E. Smith for deserting President Franklin D. Roosevelt and advocating the election of Governor Alf M. Landon.
Bernard J. Tracy, Democratic county committeeman of the Twelfth ward, announced that the step against Smith was taken by the organization at a meeting in the headquarters, 2716 Federal street.
“Whatever may be the reasons of Mr. Smith’s grudge against his former friend and ally,” read the resolution of condemnation, “his act of deserting the party which gave him the opportunity of his political career, is hereby heartily condemned.
“Notice is being served on him that far from being influenced by his action, this club will redouble its efforts to nullify his attempt to defeat the re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt.”
“I campaigned for Al Smith in 1928,” declared Tracy, “and I did everything that I could to have him elected President. Now I want everybody to know that I will work twice as hard to defeat Smith’s plan of electing Landon. The Twelfth ward wants President Roosevelt re-elected, and the ward will be carried for him.”
Tracy said that the week of October 19 has been designated as “canvass week” when Democratic workers will visit the homes in the Twelfth ward to urge the re-election of Roosevelt. There will be a meeting of the Democratic workers in the club on October 20 to further the re-election.
John Alcott, first vice president, presided at the meeting.
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
By GORDON MACKAY
DEMOCRACY’S good solid oak is Barney Tracy. The voting lists tab him as Bernard J. Tracy, but the legion who hail him as friend call him “Barney” and that’s an insight into the man. Barney Tracy today is the United States Marshal for this district, sits in the courthouse here, usually in his shirtsleeves, a typical democrat who always votes as a Democrat.
The first time I ever met Barney was about two years ago when he and myself were the guests of a men’s club connected with St. Joseph’s parish at Twenty-ninth street and Westfield avenue. It was a get-together occasion, and there was considerable chaffing and joshing as the speakers told tales about one another.
Barney took the ribbing like a little man, because it seemed to me that nine-tenths of the men present were on the opposite side of the fence to Barney. When it came his time to speak, Mr. Tracy took excellent care of himself. He ribbed and joshed and kidded as strongly as the next fellow. He also enjoyed the last laugh. For his ward went for Roosevelt with a bang, when it was expected to be a G. O. P. balliwick [sic].
One thing that always impresses a person about Barney is his total lack of swank. To him his job is one where he represents the law, but he doesn’t have to be a martinet or a puppet autocrat either. He tempers his dealings with his charges with common sense and tact. I say there isn’t a better United States marshal at work anywhere in these United States than Barney Tracy, of Camden.
Barney’s birthplace was Philadelphia, but he came across the bridge with his parents. Like all youngsters of Irish extraction you couldn’t keep Barney out of politics. And 35 years ago he plunged in, as a Democrat, of course. There were few laurels for the unterrified in those days.
WAS VOTER IN STOCKTON
In the days when Barney cast his first ballot, the present Twelfth Ward was known as Stockton. Since that time Barney has been a resident of the Twelfth, save for a short time when he lived in the First Ward. Barney was a hustler, a plugger, he worked unceasingly for his party.
Those were shriveled times, too, for the young man who espoused the cause of Jefferson. Barney, however, was a Democrat through conviction, so he went right along doing his bit with the same fidelity then that he shows today.
His first job for the party was to “hold the book” which meant he was a precinct committeeman. Barney also joined the Democratic club and worked like a Trojan. Today Barney and the Democratic club of the Twelfth Ward are so well know [sic] that Tracy’s friends have dubbed him “The Mayor of East Camden,” a name that sticks to him to this day.
In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that Barney likes the sobriquet and would rather be “The Mayor of East Camden” than to hold any other title. It wasn’t long before the other members of the club realized that Barney never sulked in his tent, or laid down in the traces.
So they decided that the proper spot for Mr. Tracy was in the Democratic city committee. Barney was sent as the ward representative. He has remained in this billet unto the present day, and Tracy is one of the oldest members of the city committee in point of service.
It was natural that Barney, with the Irish love for politics, would seek public office. It was a thankless job, toting the banner of Democracy in the Twelfth Ward in those days. But Barney was a fighter, as his antecedents would show. Despite defeat Barney was never really knocked out. He always came back for more. What’s more to the point, he always got it. When the city commission form of government overturned the old councilmanic rule, Barney threw himself into the battle to elect his candidates.
FOUGHT FOR KING LOST FOR HIMSELF
Barney became one of the strong right arms in the fight for Victor King, chosen mayor when the commission was organized. Barney at the same time was the Democratic candidate for freeholder from his home ward, but he cast aside his own fortunes to battle for King.
To prove that Barney might have been a winner himself had he not been wrapped heart and soul in the commission fight, is shown by the fact that Mr. Tracy was whipped for freeholder by only 29 votes.
Which rated as a moral victory in the Twelfth, although Barney has little use for this type of triumph—victory is its own reward for his money. Barney, with the eloquence of the Irish and their gift of gab, is ranked as one of the best stump speakers in the city.
The Tracy voice is deep and resonant. You require no loud speakers about when Barney is doing his stuff on the public forum. Anybody standing several squares away at an open air meeting addressed by Barney can hear that worthy spreading the Democratic gospel and urging the triumph of its candidates.
“You want to know how I got that voice,” said Marshal Tracy, with a smile the other day. “Well there is no harm in telling you. I worked for the Keystone Leather Company for 30 years, and was assistant superintendent for some time. That’s where I got my voice, if you catch my meaning.”
Public office didn’t entirely neglect Barney, however. He served three terms as a member of the Camden County Board of Elections. For the past two years he has been in charge of the United States Marshal’s office here. Barney is a great joiner, first becoming a Red Man years ago.
Barney did an odd job, too, as a member of the tribe. He committed to memory the ritual of the organization and has performed degree work to 200 and 300 men at a time, and never once referred to the book on rites during the entire exemplification. He can also deliver the funeral ceremony without consulting the ritual either.
“I’ve been a member of the Red Men for the past 36 years,” Marshal Tracy told me. “If there is any advice that I would give to a young fellow today it is to join some such fraternal order.
“Once he is inside the organization let him become active. He’ll find that through this means he’ll receive the best education that he could enjoy.”
Barney has one other joy, delight and idol, outside of politics. That is the Tracy family. Sire of three children, he has every right to be proud of his sons, Tom and Harry. Corking good athletes in baseball and basketball, the boys have no louder or more loyal rooter than “the old man.”
Just to show the pride Barney really feels in his young hopefuls, he admits with that smile of his that “he keeps a lot of scrapbooks filled with the stuff that the boys do.”
So Barney, stout old oak of Democracy, finally has reaped a reward for his political battling. Anybody who knows Barney will admit that the best is none too good for Bernard J. Tracy.
Camden Youth Held in Army Pistol Theft
Camden Courier-Post —
U. S. Marshall Bernard J. Tracy last night arrested Martin J. Corbert, 23, of 122 Pearl Street, Camden, in connection with the theft of a .45 caliber automatic pistol from the 157th Field Artillery Armory on Wright Avenue at Ninth street. He was lodged in Camden city jail for a hearing before U. S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong this morning.
As the result of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe, Carl Weber, 21, of 815 Birch Street, was arrested two weeks ago, charged with larceny of government property and was held in Federal custody. According to Camden police, Weber implicated Corbert.
Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6
11th Annual Banquet —
Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers – Barney Tracey listed among supporters of boxer Joey Powell and Sergeant Ray Smith at the 11th Annual Banquet of Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6