THE COLONY INCORPORATES 135 



1903. Mr. Jacob Schiff wrote to my husband, con- 

 gratulating Woodbine on its new right to self-govern- 

 ment. My husband replied: 



"My DEAR MR. SCHIFF: 



"I will report your encouraging words at the May 

 meeting that the Woodbine people will hold this week. 

 I hope the responsibility taken by the people of Wood- 

 bine will not be too heavy for them and that they will 

 prove themselves worthy of the trust now conferred 

 upon them." 



How Woodbine rejoiced when, next morning, the 

 happy news reached it, may be imagined! The first 

 Jewish community to govern itself! Not a whistle 

 blew that day to call the people to work. The schools 

 were closed. The town band and Agricultural School 

 band were out in full force. What a hooraying and 

 tooting and making of music! Where did the young- 

 sters find all the horns and tin trumpets? 



The Civic Club hung out a big poster announcing 

 the coming elections of the new borough. There was 

 no question in any mind as to the man to head the list 

 of new officers to be voted for who should be elected 

 the first Mayor of the first Jewish borough! There 

 was just one name that of Professor Sabsovich, the 

 father of the place, and, without a dissenting vote, he 

 was elected. Sixteen citizens for the six Council- 

 men prescribed by law, were nominated. Scarcely a 

 newspaper, large or small, throughout the country, 

 failed to chronicle the event. 



