Martin A. McNulty
MARTIN A. McNULTY was born in Maryland in October of 1888, to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McNulty. By the time he was 12 his mother had passed away. At the time of the 1900 census the McNulty family, which included Martin and his 4 younger siblings, were living in Sparrow's Point MD, near Baltimore.
Martin McNulty had come to Camden by the summer of 1910. At the time of the 1910 Census he was unmarried, lodging at 1914 Broadway, and working as a machinist in one of Camden's many shipyards, most likely that of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, a short walk south on Broadway.
Shortly after the Census was taken in 1910, Martin McNulty married. By January of 1920 he had bought the building at 307 Kaighn Avenue, where he operated a hotel, a term which in that time referred more to being a bar and restaurant operation than an overnight lodging business. By this time his wife Florence had bore him three children; Catherine, Florence, and James. His unmarried sister Mary also lived with the family.
With the advent of Prohibition, Martin McNulty closed his hotel operation and opened a hardware and home furnishings business at 307 Kaighn Avenue, which was still in operation as late as 1947. Another child was born after 1920, a daughter named Margaret. Sadly Florence McNulty passed away in January of 1928.
A staunch Republican, Martin McNulty served as Camden County's purchasing agent in the late 1930s and early 1940s until being forced out of his position as a result of a political feud with his former patron, Louis Bantivoglio.
Martin McNulty was still living at 307 Kaighn Avenue as late as 1959.
Florence McNulty
Camden Courier-Post —
As a result of a serious operation which she underwent in St. Joseph's Hospital, Philadelphia, Mrs. Florence McNulty, 38 years old, wife of Martin A. McNulty, of 307 Kaighn Avenue, died shortly after midnight. She had been ill since Monday.
Mrs. McNulty had lived in Camden all her life. Her husband has operated a hardware store at 307 Kaighn Avenue for many years. Besides her husband, three daughters, and a son survive their mother. They are Catherine, Florence, Margaret and James, all living at home.
Mrs. McNulty was very active in the affairs of the Church of the Sacred Heart. She was president of the Parent-Teacher Association of the in-stitution at the time of her death.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.
Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.; Madden To Lead Democrats
Camden Courier-Post —
Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.; Madden To Lead Democrats
Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.; Madden To Lead Democrats
[Left column portrait: JOSHUA C. HAINES] [Right column portrait: JAMES A. MADDEN]
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 heat- (Continued on Page Two)
Hadley Faction Loses And Miss Kelley is Winner of Vice Chairmanship
Attempt of an insurgent Democratic faction to elect Raymond P. Hadley, of the Tenth Ward, as chairman of the Democratic committee, was overwhelmingly defeated at reorganization of the committee last night. James A. Madden, of Collingswood, favored by Harry L. Maloney and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, members of the state committee, was elected by a vote of 69 to 14 over Hadley. The meeting was held in the Women's Democratic Club, 543 Washington street. The faction also made an attempt (Continued on Page Two)
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. In explaining these reasons to the vice chairman still has two years to run.
Haines Finally Elected
Then Baird accepted the resignation from the chairmanship and Mrs. Verga from the vice chairmanship.
Keown was nominated for re-election, and Hanna for the chairman position.
Baird was renominated by Remington. Keown reiterated his insistence, issued some months ago, not to stand for re-election. Baird again declined.
Then Keown moved the election of Haines and Mrs. Reinert and the discussion which followed continued for three hours. Finally the vote was taken at 11.30 and Haines and Mrs. Reinert were elected.
Mrs. Reinert, however, declined the office, stating her candidacy for the Assembly precluded her at this time. Then Mrs. Pfrommer was nominated, but she turned it down twice. After much persuasion Mrs. Reinert agreed to accept the office, with the provision that she serve through the summer and that she be permitted to resign later, if she wished.
In congratulating Mrs. Reinert, 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. Phillips Brown, J. H. Reiners, Jr., Rocco Palese and Morris Praissman.
Members of the Republican County Committee, which organized last night, follow:
Camden City (*Indicates New Member)
First Ward—William H. Heiser and Marie McCready
Second—James Corea and *Susie Marchiano
Third—James E. Tatem and *Mary A. Ivins
Fourth—Martin A. McNulty and Madeline Salvatore
Fifth—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
Kathryn McNulty & Robert O’Keefe Wedding
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Kathryn Cecelia McNulty, Martin A. McNulty, Robert O’Keefe, Mary O’Keefe, Kaighn Avenue, Church of the Sacred Heart, Peter Kelly, Mrs. Walter Fewer, Florence McNulty, Osworth O’Keefe, and Hotel Walt Whitman.
M’Nulty Pay Claim Settled for $2100
Camden Courier-Post —
Board Votes Compromise on $3558 Claim of Ousted Purchasing Agent
An 18-month controversy involving Martin A. McNulty, thrice-fired county purchasing agent, the former 38-member board of freeholders, and the present board ended last night when his salary claim was compromised.
The board of freeholders adopted a resolution providing for payment of $2100 to McNulty on his original claim of $3558.38 as his salary from Jan. 10, 1940, when he was first fired, up until May 21, 1941, when he was reinstated by the present freeholders. His job was abolished later.
County Solicitor Vincent L. Gallaher explained that McNulty agreed to waive any claims to his old job as purchasing agent, had offered to withdraw any and all pending court action and agreed to sign a waiver upon receipt of his check for the compromise salary. Gallaher said McNulty probably will receive the check today.
McNulty, a lifelong Republican and former leader in the Fifth ward, for many years has conducted a retail hardware business at 307 Kaighn avenue.
In 1939 McNulty feuded with former Freeholder Louis Bantivoglio, recognized Republican boss of the ward. That’s when his purchasing agent troubles began. It was alleged that Bantivoglio, who “made” McNulty purchasing agent, greased the political skids and the job was abolished by the former large board on Jan. 10, 1940.
After McNulty’s job was abolished, the freeholders assigned such duties to a committee of three members and Bantivoglio was named chairman at a salary of $1000 in addition to his freeholder salary of $750 a year. McNulty was paid $3000 annually, less the 15 percent economy cut.
McNulty appealed to the State Civil Service Commission which set the action of the freeholders aside and ordered them to reinstate McNulty at his original salary.
Abolish Job Again
The old board of freeholders did not reinstate McNulty. Instead the freeholders on April 10, 1940 again abolished the job and the duties were again assigned to the committee with an allowance of $700 a year for automobile maintenance and expenses.
McNulty again appealed to the Civil Service Commission, which again reversed the action of the freeholders and ordered McNulty reinstated with pay from Jan. 10, 1940. In its ruling the commission recommended McNulty be paid $1000 or more annually.
When he was not reinstated, McNulty appealed to the New Jersey Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to compel the freeholders to reinstate him.
The Supreme Court issued the writ on May 17, 1941, ordering McNulty’s reinstatement.
On May 21 last the present freeholders reinstated McNulty and fixed his salary at $20 a week. McNulty filed another Supreme Court suit demanding his full salary of $3000 a year, less the 15 percent pay cut.
Job Abolished Again
Later on May 28 this year the small board of freeholders deemed the office of purchasing agent as not being necessary, inasmuch as Freeholder Earl Armstrong, director of purchases, was doing work similar to that formerly performed by McNulty. The board adopted a resolution again abolishing the job.
The freeholders disputed McNulty’s claim that he was entitled to $3558.38 in salary, but did admit McNulty was entitled to $1400. An agreement finally was reached whereby McNulty would be paid and would accept the compromise amount of $2100.
Swinton Promises to Hire Mechanics for WPA Projects
Camden Courier-Post —
Freeholders Told Every Available Man Will Be Put to Work
A pledge to hire “every available mechanic” to complete county WPA projects has been made by George R. Swinton, director of the South Jersey WPA district, it was reported yesterday to the Board of Freeholders.
Last week the freeholders voted to send a committee of three to Washington, if necessary, to seek an increase in the quota of WPA workers needed on county roads and institution projects after it was reported work on WPA projects at Lakeland is lagging seriously.
Freeholder Francesconi reported he and Freeholders Molt and McCall had conferred with Swinton at his offices in Atlantic City and had been promised “every co-operation.” Francesconi said 185 new men have been put to work on the projects and Swinton promised to reclassify men at work on the projects, who are mechanics, but not doing that type work.
The board adopted a resolution appropriating $2100 as an emergency fund to pay Martin A. McNulty, thrice-dismissed county purchasing agent for the old Board of Freeholders.
Last week McNulty agreed to waive any claims to his old job and to withdraw any and all pending court action upon payment of the compromised claim of $2100.
McNulty first demanded $3558.38 as his salary from Jan. 10, 1940, when he was first ousted, until May 21, 1941, when he was reinstated by the present board. His job was abolished later.