Madaline Salvatore
Madaline Salvatore, c. 1935
MADALINE SALVATORE was born in New Jersey around 1885. She married John Salvatore, an Italian immigrant, when she was 16. By 1920 John Salvatore was operating a grocery store at 300 Mechanic Street in Camden. By the time of the 1930 census, the Salvatore family owned a home at 308 Mechanic Street in Camden, Mr. Salvatore still keeping the grocery store at 300 Mechanic Street. At this time, there were four children at home, Madeline, Jennie, John, and Albert. After Prohibition was repealed, John Salvatore opened up a saloon for a time at 300 Mechanic Street.
During the 1930s, Madaline Salvatore served as the Republican county committeewoman from Camden’s 5th Ward. In January of 1936 she was elected president of Camp Betsy Ross No. 2 of the Union of Brotherly Love, an Italian-American social organization that flourished in those times.
Italian Women Republicans Stage Second Annual Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Prominent Republicans gathered last night at the First Italian Republican League hall, 813 South Fourth Street, for the second annual ball of the Camden County Italian Women’s Republican Club.
The grand march was led by Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Mecca, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Laviano, Mr. and Mrs. Cascini, Mrs. Mamie Piraine, president of the club, with Anthony Di Marino, and Mrs. Anna Larusso with Harry Larusso.
Mrs. Mecca was chairman of the ball, assisted by Mrs. Laviano, secretary; Mrs. John Gargano, treasurer; Mrs. Frank Valeriano and Miss Mary Lario.
In addition to Mrs. Piraine, officers of the club are Mrs. Larusso, secretary; Mrs. Margaret Viggiano, secretary; Mrs. Josephine Tamru, financial secretary, and Mrs. Madeline Salvatore, treasurer.
Among the guests were Walter S. Keown, chairman of the Republican county committee; Assemblymen Frank M. Traveline, Jr., and George D. Rothermel, Postmaster Charles H. Ellis, County Detective Fiore Troncone, Miss Marie Doyle and Mrs. Pauline Caperoon, of Republican headquarters, and Walter Sekula, candidate for freeholder from the Eighth Ward.
Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.; Madden To Lead Democrats
Camden Courier-Post —
JOSHUA C. HAINES
Baird and Mrs. Verga Decline Posts During Spirited Committee Session
Joshua C. Haines, Camden county register of deeds, was elected chairman of the Camden County Republican Committee at its reorganization last night in one of the most spirited contests held within the Organization in a decade.
Mrs. Isabella C. Reinert, of Collingswood, nominee for Assembly, was elected vice chairman.
Haines succeeds Walter S. Keown and Mrs. Reinert takes the post held by Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga.
Their election came at 11.30 p. m., after more than three hours of heated argument behind closed doors, and after former U. S. Senator David Baird and Mrs. Verga had declined to accept the offices.
Keown, Hanna Mentioned
Others nominated were Keown and Camden City Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, for chairman, and Mrs. Etta C. Pfrommer, of the Eleventh Ward. Mrs. Pfrommer twice declined.
In previous years reorganization of the county committee had been effected without dispute, and with unanimous action by the members. Last night, however, the discussion waged long and loud.
Though newspapermen were excluded from the meeting, the voices of the debating members coming through the locked doors left no doubt as to the progress of the election.
Other officers were re-elected as follows: Howard B. Dyer, secretary; William D. Sayrs, Jr., treasurer, and Mrs. Lottie B. Stinson, assistant secretary. Mrs. Anna G. Holl, of Collingswood, was elected assistant treasurer to succeed Mrs. Reinert.
Keown opened the meeting and then Baird spoke.
The former Senator presented the recommendation of the Republican executive conference committee that the members elect Haines and Mrs. Reinert in view of the fact that Keown and Mrs. Verga had resisted all requests to continue.
Then Mrs. Margaret Wermuth, of Delaware township, and Carlton M. “Cy” Harris, of the Twelfth Ward, presented a petition signed by virtually all the committee, asking Baird and Mrs. Verga to accept the chairmanship and vice chairmanship.
Baird Declines
Baird then declared that he was unable to take over any additional work.
“I must not be chosen, but must work with and for you, and I ask that you respect my wishes.”
He then proposed that Haines and Mrs. Reinert be chosen unanimously.
Despite his proposal, Mrs. Wermuth moved the election of Baird and Mrs. Verga. The vote was virtually unanimous. Immediately J. C. Remington, Jr., of Haddonfield, moved to adjourn. The chair refused to recognize the motion.
Several members threatened to resign from the committee unless Baird and Mrs. Verga accepted. To this Baird answered:
“I’m still fighting for the party, no matter who quits. If you quit, you’re not worthy to be members.” His remarks were greeted with applause.
In announcing her decision not to accept renomination Mrs. Verga said her duties as state vice chairman, taking her into all the 21 counties, made it impossible for her to continue to devote the time to the county committee which it deserved. She explained that her term as state vice chairman still has two years to run.
Haines Finally Elected
Then Baird announced his resignation from the chairmanship and Mrs. Verga from the vice chairmanship.
Keown was nominated for re-election and Haines and Hanna for election. Baird was renominated by Remington. Keown reiterated his insistence, announced several weeks ago, not to stand for re-election. Baird again declined.
Then Keown moved the election of Haines and Mrs. Reinert. The discussion which followed continued for three hours. Finally the vote was taken at 11.30 and Haines and Mrs. Reinert were declared elected.
Mrs. Reinert, however, declined the office, stating her candidacy for assembly would consume all her time. Then Mrs. Pfrommer was nominated, but she turned it down twice. After much persuasion Mrs. Reinert agreed to accept with the provision that she serve through the summer and that she be permitted to resign later, if she wished.
In a telegram to the committee, Congressman Charles A. Wolverton urged the election of Baird and Mrs. Verga.
The committee elected the following solicitors: Carl Kisselman, Edward R. Deibert, L. Scott Cherchesky, William E. A. King, J. Claud Simon, T. Philips Brown, J. H. Reiners, Jr., Rocco Palese and Morris Praissman.
The conference committee, which suggested Haines and Mrs. Reinert, comprises Baird, Keown, George R. Pelouze, Albert S. Woodruff, Mrs. Verga, Remington, Commissioners Hanna and Clay W. Reesman, Sayrs, William Wimer, Horace G. Githens, J. Wesley Sell and A. C. Middleton.
Members of the Republican County Committee, which organized last night, follow:
Camden City
(*-Indicates New Member)
First Ward—Robert Brennan and Marie Mackintosh.
Second—*William H. Heiser and Mary McCready.
Third—James Corea and *Susie Marchiano.
Fourth—James E. Tatem and *Mary A. Ivins.
Fifth—*Martin A. McNulty and Madeline Salvatore.
Sixth—Howard B. Dyer and Mary S. Hartung.
Seventh—Edward A. Kemble and Mary D. Guthridge.
Eighth—*Edmund A. Walsh and Mamie F. Piraine.
Ninth—Edward Holloway and Deborah Schuck.
Tenth—*Henry I. Haines and Lillian M. Walker.
Eleventh—Horace B. Beideman and Etta C. Pfrommer.
Twelfth—Carlton M. Harris and Mary E. Hamel.
Thirteenth—*Henry Knauer and Louella I. Whaland.
Fourteenth—*Jesse M. Donaghy and Lottie B. Stinson.
Gloucester City
First Ward—Walter H. Craig and E. C. Moffet.
Second—James A. Lewis and *Nellie Keebler.
Third—*James M. Officer and *Margaret P. Powell.
Suburban Districts
Audubon—*Marshall N. Hammon, Jr., and Laura Williams.
Barrington—Harry J. Stone and Margaret Taylor.
Bellmawr—*William C. Stillwill and Katherine Dyer.
Berlin Borough—Leslie M. Ewing and Esther B. Jaggard.
Berlin Township—Frank M. Tyson and Lydia M. Eckstein.
Brooklawn—Morton S. Broomall and C. Mae Marsh.
Chesilhurst—*William Wiegand, Sr., and Mary L. Lyons.
Clementon—J. Palmer Earl and Mabel Rogers.
Collingswood—Edward B. Rogers and Isabella C. Reinert.
Delaware Township—Leonard Hoffman, Sr., and Margaret E. Wermuth.
Gibbsboro—*P. Richard Cummings and *Ethel H. Bone.
Gloucester Township—*William E. Cozens and Mary W. Frazer.
Haddon Township—*Milton E. Hanson and *Eve W. Hannum.
Haddonfield—J. C. Remington, Jr., and Anna G. Holl.
Haddon Heights—Robert E. Bromley and Mary H. Tegge.
Hi-Nella—Samuel D. Mansfield and Elsie H. Castor.
Laurel Springs—Charles V. Osborne and Anna M. Hess.
Lawnside—Horace J. Bryant and Maidie M. Gibson.
Lindenwold—George T. Neely and Irene A. Haney.
Magnolia—*Charles T. Wood and *Lillian Shoemaker.
Merchantville—E. Durell Parker and Ruth K. Yarnall.
Mt. Ephraim—Harvey L. Jacoby and *Theresa Osler.
Oaklyn—John Beasley and *Mae Walker.
Pennsauken Township—*Andrew Stewart and Catherine Brooks.
Pine Hill—*Conrad Schmidt and Mary J. Smith.
Pine Valley—Clinton L. Bardo and Anna E. Howe.
Runnemede—*John S. Adams and *Mrs. John Gaunt.
Somerdale—Edward Arentzen and Louise Brusius.
Stratford—John T. Matthews and L. Mae Titus.
Voorhees Township—*George Ziesch and *Elizabeth Ebert.
Waterford Township—Thomas A. Fanelli and Catherine Zoppel.
Tavistock—Frank B. Middleton, Jr., and no committeewoman.
Winslow Township—Samuel Withers and Kathryn Wuertz.
Woodlynne—Thomas W. Leeson and Edna M. Fritsche.
John D. Cesaria / John Salvatore
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: John D. Cesaria, John Salvatore, and Mechanic Street.
Camden Courier-Post — August 7, 1935
Hartmann Reports $23,039 Spent to Hire 500 Workers — Grand Jurors May Get Case
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando announced yesterday he will investigate charges that $23,039 spent in the Department of Public Works prior to the city election in May was a political misuse of city funds.
The charges were filed, Orlando said, by City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., who alleged the money was used to add 500 to 800 emergency jobs to the city payroll for political purposes of the Baird Republican organization. He listed 258 names yesterday.
The charges will reach the grand jury if his investigation discloses any illegal expenditures, the prosecutor said.
“Hartmann alleges the expenditure to be a subversion of public funds,” said Orlando. “I understand he made the charges public. I shall take the complaint in its present form, and if in the course of our investigation we find anything illegal, we shall go further to discover if there is misfeasance or malfeasance.”
Misdemeanor Law Cited
“It would then be a matter of grand jury attention. A New Jersey statute makes it a misdemeanor for municipal officials to over-expend their budget without proper authorization. If this falls within that statute, it will be brought to the attention of the grand jury. Hartmann informs me that this money was spent before an election but that no authorization was made for it until June and July.
“I wish to assure Commissioner Hartmann, the taxpayers and other citizens of the city that this matter will receive thorough consideration from my office.”
Hartmann accompanied his informal complaint to the prosecutor with a list of names which he estimated between 500 and 800. He said they were persons hired in the Department of Public Works before the city commission election, but all of whom were dismissed May 15, the day after election. He referred to them as “F.A.E.” employes—“fired after election.”
The $23,039.78, which he alleges was used for pre-election employment.
Orlando to Probe Hartmann Charges (Continued from Page One)
was taken from appropriations for street cleaning, grading and asphalt repairing, he averred.
“Committeewomen Hired”
Many of the names were those of women, several of them Republican county committeewomen, Hartmann asserted.
He based his charges, he said, on records left in his office by his predecessor, Frank J. Leonard, and by former Commissioner Martha Kemble, who remained as a deputy with Leonard.
“I will give this complaint consideration and advise Commissioner Hartmann what action is to be taken,” Orlando added.
Deputy Commissioner Kemble could not be reached for comment. It was stated at her home that she had gone to Wildwood to visit former Commissioner Leonard.
Hartmann gave Orlando a written statement containing his charges and a copy of a letter allegedly signed by former Commissioner Leonard in which Leonard authorized his deputy, Miss Kemble, to sign payroll vouchers.
“This delegation of power may have been illegal,” said Hartmann. “It was executed May 22, the day after the city commission re-organized.”
‘Appropriation Wiped Out’
His department, Hartmann said, was appropriated $5,587.05 for grading, but this has been wiped out and now there is a deficit of $7,392.27 which must go into next year’s budget.
He charged an over-expenditure of $6,665.76 in the appropriation for asphalt repairs.
Among those who Hartmann declared were hired for election purposes were Mrs. Mamie Piraine, Eighth ward Republican committeewoman; Mrs. Madaline Salvatore, Fifth ward committeewoman; Henry and Maurice Gilbert, brothers of Mrs. Florence Baker, state committeewoman.
“Records which I have discovered in the department of Public Works indicate a shameful misuse of public funds for the political purposes of the Baird machine during the recent commission campaign for which the taxpayers of the City of Camden are to be penalized in their tax bills,” said Hartmann in his statement.
“I am turning these records over to Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and requesting a Grand Jury investigation.
“Records in my office, left by former Commissioners Kemble and Leonard, show that anywhere from 500 to 800 men and women, several of them Republican county committeewomen, were hired in the name of emergency for street grading, cleaning and asphalt repairs, and all dismissed from their jobs on May 15, the day after the city election.
‘Cost Taxpayers $23,000’
“This cost the taxpayers $23,039.78. This I construe to be a subversion of public funds.
“I was elected to office to serve the people, and I am going to serve them. Until officeholders, given public trust, are made responsible for their acts, we cannot get good government. I am determined to get good government and instill the fear of public wrath in the hearts of all who would subvert for selfish purposes by pressing for action in the cases which I am bringing to the Prosecutor’s attention.
“The department was appropriated $5,587.05 for grading, but this appropriation was wiped out in a total expenditure of $12,979.32, leaving a deficit of $7,392.27 which must go into the tax bills next year. The department was appropriated $5,361.62 for asphalt repairs, but spent $12,027.38, leaving an over expenditure of $6,665.76. When taxpayers realize that for aproximately [sic] every $16,000 in money to be raised by taxation, on the basis of present assessments, a cent is added to the tax rate, they will see to what extent they have been bludgeoned by the administration which they have just repudiated.
‘Only $7000 Left’
“The appropriation to the department for street cleaning was $24,254.29, and in six months a total of $17,237.06 was spent, leaving only little more than $7000 for this work for the next six months. And, $6,470.91 of the $17,237.06 was spent over and above $10,766.15 expended up until the month of May.
“I have had several clerks working all day and they have not yet finished their work of listing the persons employed. Among those employed as street grading laborers appears the name of Mrs. Mamie Piraine, Republican committeewoman in the Eighth ward, and who conducts a saloon at 2006 Broadway. She was hired on April 9 of this year. She is now on vacation, with pay, I understand.
“Another committeewoman, Mrs. Madaline Salvatore, in the Fifth ward, is listed as a laborer on grading work. Her husband conducts a saloon at 300 Mechanic street.
“Also listed as an emergency employee, was Charles Auletto, now a bartender for his brother, Daniel Auletto, who is a Republican committeeman in the Third ward.
“Henry Gilbert, of 614 Federal street, and Maurice M. Gilbert, of 903 N. Eighth street, brothers of Mrs. Florence Baker, Republican State Committeewoman, are on the list.
“Henry was hired January, of this year, and is in the department now. Maurice was hired April 16 along with the other emergency employes and let out the day after election, but he was rehired on July 23 and still is in this department.
“These are examples of what has been happening to the taxpayers under Baird Republicanism. I will not leave any stone unturned to bring efficient and honest government to the people of Camden.”
Camden Camp Elects Woman for Third Term
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Madeline Salvatore, of 300 Mechanic street, was recently elected to her third term as president of Camp Betsy Ross No. 2, Union of Brotherly Love.
Other officers elected were Antonett Travaline, ex-president; Maria Bernardi, vice president; Anna Biondi, corresponding secretary; Sue Mignogna, secretary; Pasqualina Iacorelli, treasurer; Michelina Comando, oratrice; Anatonetta Catamusto, sanitary committee; Mary La Marra, Rinalda Lancioni, Gaetana Mussa, Nunziata Lombardo, Maria Cianfarra, trustees; Domenica Parisa, guard of honor.
Officers were installed by Frank Balestra, grand master of grand council. Pasquale Verdiroso was master of ceremonies. Pietro Di Sieno is assistant grand master; John DiCesari, ex-grand master; Salvatore Mastrangelo, grand financial secretary; Michelina Comando, grand corresponding secretary; Pasquale D. Alessandro, grand treasurer, Antonnett Travaline, grand oratore; Pasqualina Iacorelli, Guido Succhiarelli, Antonio Fariglioli, Munziata Lombardo, Giuseppe Cirelli, grand trustees; Madeline Salvatore, another member of the grand council, and Gaetana Muso, guard of honor.
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
May we not at this time proffer a suggestion to Mayor Brunner, Eddie Kelleher and the other party sachems that should be a sure-fire plan to make Camden county safe for Democracy? We advise that the Democrats gather a fund of $4000, the money to be expended in giving testimonial dinners to Republican leaders, near-leaders and persons who figure themselves to be both.
Engage tables enough to accommodate about 350 persons. Invite representatives of all the various G. O. P. factions in the county, give a half dozen tickets to boisterous Democrats, so that the latter can sit back in their seats and enjoy the subsequent dogfight on a full stomach.
This idea that I am advancing to register about 5000 more Democrats in the county and paralyze the remnants of the once-powerful county G.O.P., was born when I attended the recent testimonial dinner to Louis Bantivoglio, freeholder from the Fifth ward.
Naturally my attendance was purely in a professional capacity. Speeches were made by divers and sundry spokesmen, the high-light being the sales talk for Bantivoglio and Baird by David Baird, Jr. The latter waxed wrathfully but warily in castigating the “half-breeds,” as he once sarcastically termed the Republicans of the ilk and stature and political leanings of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus.
Rarely, too, have we ever attended a banquet, either in the capacity of guest or reporter that ever awakened so many echoes of the past as did the dinner to the Fifth ward freeholder.
Mrs. Kobus Elected Louis
First came the information from friends of Commissioner Kobus that she was responsible for the election of Bantivoglio from the Fifth ward as freeholder. In view of the fact that Squire Baird seemed to feel that the freeholder’s election was a personal triumph, this appeared strange to yours truly.
We moseyed about, however, and discovered that whether the squire likes it or not Mary W. Kobus and her minions did elect Bantivoglio. The leaders of the Kobus faction who put the thing across were headed by a woman named Madeline Salvatore and a gentleman named “Bucky” Branch.
Bantivoglio was elected by something less than 40 votes. These votes could easily have been given to his opponent but there were strategic reasons why the Kobus faction didn’t want a Democrat chosen from the Fifth ward.
So Branch, who is a policeman, I believe, and who was not working on election day, it being his regular day off, went into his precinct and put over the votes that elected Bantivoglio.
And Mr. “Bucky” Branch, I have been informed, has been so sore at the fact that he did elect Louis Bantivoglio that he moans and cries and berates himself ever since the trick was turned.
Politicos who told me the story about the Kobus support for Bantivoglio gave a rather sensible reason for the step that was taken by the anti-Baird folk. The New Dealers among the Republicans sensed that the division between the Republicans and Democrats in the 1938 Board of Freeholders was going to be exceedingly close.
Too close, in fact, to take any chances. So it was decided to support Bantivoglio in the Fifth ward, because he was a regular Baird Republican and couldn’t be won to the coalition. The reasoning of the Kobusitees was clear and correct.
Had Bantivoglio been beaten by a Democrat, the board would have been divided equally. The Democrats would then have been able to deal with an individual rather than a faction. One vote would have given either side control. Thus by putting Bantivoglio across the Kobus faction made it imperative for the Democrats to deal with that clique; in fact Brunner and his minions had to do that little thing.
In view of this analysis I’m content to believe that the Kobus claim that the New Dealers elected Louis Bantivoglio is absolutely okay.
Lady “Copper” Not Trade Party
Now don’t get the information askew. Mrs. Kobus had no official or personal hand in this matter. It was the keen thought of some of her lieutenants, whose judgment appears to have been excellent, that fashioned this plan and executed it.
Meanwhile numerous politicos have been jibing Baird’s statement that he would “rather have one Louis Bantivoglio than 1000 ingrates.” These political seers and soothsayers declared that such a declaration proved that its author was all wet in his political judgment and short sighted in his political history.
These politicos ambushed Mackay the other day, crammed him into a corner and told him that if it “hadn’t been for Bantivoglio Baird would have control of the city commission today.”
These chuckling anti-Bairdites not only bearded me in my den, but dared me to disprove their statements by taking a look at the record. A stranger to politics in Camden, I didn’t know the import of this statement until I squinted at the ward returns for the 1935 city commission election.
There in black and white is the proof that Baird lost the city commission fight because of the Bantivoglio-Leo Rea alliance in the Fifth ward. Just to take a look at the record again and to refresh jaded memories, the regular Baird slate received the following votes in the Fifth ward:
Bennett, 1016; Leonard, 1001; Lummis, 962; Rhone, 963; von Nieda, 1081. The New Deal ticket, then supported by the Messrs. Bantivoglio and Rea, polled these votes: Baker, 1032; Brunner, 1022; Hartmann, 1001; Kobus, 1024, and Reesman, 930.
We would call your attention particularly to the Leonard-Hartmann vote. Louis and Leo supported candidates Brunner, Kobus and Hartmann, of the New Deal.
Leonard and Hartmann polled exactly the same vote, 1001. And the recount revealed Hartmann a winner by SEVEN votes, the box score showing Hartmann, 17,338, and Leonard, 17,331. And the Fifth ward turned the trick, for it would have been easy for Louis and Leo to have given Hartmann the same vote that Reesman received, or 71 less, and elected Leonard. There would have been no recount then.
Which scrutiny of the returns would seem to show that Bantivoglio as a friend of the squire proved his valor and vigilance in the cause by seating a New Deal commissioner and owing his seat in the Board of Freeholders to the Kobus clan.
In connection with this fund which the Democrats should raise to give testimonial dinners to G.O.P. leaders et cetera we might suggest that on each occasion they have, David Baird Jr., named for a new office. In order, that my friend, Florence Baker, can show her loyalty and friendship to the Old Guard Field Marshal by asking his election to the said office.
This suggestion to the Messrs. Brunner, Kelleher and the others is made tax-free, and no charge for usage. If that scheme doesn’t make Camden county safe for Democracy, nothing will.
Mrs. Travaline Heads Lodge for 6th Term
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Antonetta Travaline has been elected to serve her sixth term as president of Lodge St. Theresa, Order Giovani Italia. She Is the mother of former Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline.
Election and Installation of officers was held at the lodge hall, 415 Walnut street. Frank Coruzzi, president of the men’s lodge, was in charge of the ceremonies.
Other officers are Adelaide Santoniello, vice president; Marie Maroccia, orator; Rose DiGuiseppe, corresponding secretary; Julia Falcone, financial secretary; Kathryn Ervoline, treasurer; Teresa Coruzzi, Rose Di Salvio, Laura Di Note, Emanuela Darpino, Maria Martino, Carmela Rosato, trustees; Teresa Di Pasquale, Marie Pizzutillo, sanitary committee; Marie Darpine, sentinella. Madeline Salvatore delivered an address and the organization presented a gift to Mrs. Travaline.
Checked and Double Checked
Camden Courier-Post —
by Jiminy
By the bye, there was no end of excitement in Merchantville the other evening when constables, after considerable ado, levied on the furniture in one of the fashionable suburb’s show places… When will somebody renew the lights on the minute hand on the west face of the City Hall tower clock?… Mrs. Madeline Salvatore, former county committeewoman from the Fifth ward, is a grandmother again…Her daughter, Jeanne (wife of Dr. Anthony Di Marino, of Paulsboro, and former secretary to Lou Hoffman at the city tax office) gave birth to a girl, Tonia, at the West Jersey the other day.