The sun., 1879-01-13
SOUNDS OF WAR IN TRENTON
Legislators Raiiying for the Battle Of the
Caueuses hits Afternoon.


TRENTON, Jan. 12.-Tho Legislative eau
cuses tomorrow promise to be more interest
ing than any that have taken place since 1866
Tho Senate stands eleven Republicans. nino
Democrats. and one Independent The latest
news from Cape May iustilcs the belief that
Senator Leaning. one Of the eleven Republi
cans who has been seriously i'll for several
weeks past. will not be able to take part In the
election OF n President Of the Senate. This
leads up to the appalling reflection. on the part
OF the patriots who have been parcelling out the
Offices for two months past that Senator Beck
man OF Monmouth. who WAS elected as an Inde-
pendent by coalition OF Republicans and Re-
form Democrats. has been lifelong Demo-
crat. In Senator Leaming's absence. Senator
Beekman's vote would enable the Democrats TO
tie the Senate and make terms for division OF
the offccs.
The latest approximate parallel for this situ-
alton was in 1866 Tho Republicans had ono
majority in the Senate. Col. James NJ Scoyel.
then Republican Senator from Camden nnd-
inc that he was not to be the choice of the Re-
publican caucus for the Presidency Of the SEN
ate. WAS all the more determined To- he Pr"si-
dent Ovorturcs were glatly accepted by tho
Democrats % that end. upon the condition that
thcy should have tho rest ot the oices and
name the comm itteos IL WAS bitter pill for
tho Republicans and bad bargain for the De-
crary. Col. Scovel was rrlegatrd TO private
~ at tho close Of his term; aud he has stayed
there since. The Republicans speedily re-
until 1876.
Aspiring patriots. however. may rest easy.
Senator Beckman is not ambitious 10 be Pres-
dent. and Is too honest 10 dicker. Ho has
pledged himself not to 60 into cithcr caucus
and having been nominated 10y a Republican
Convention. could not honorably connive at the
capture Of the senate hy the Democracy.
A more serious danger Of deadlock exists In
the ranks Of the Republicans themselves. The
usage IN both parties has been TO give the Presi.
the Republicans lost the Senate three years ago
Senator Sewell had served one term as It's Presi-
dent. He was able and afable, and has had the
caucus nomination every year since. while his
party has been in the minority With his pro-
srrlptive right thus strengthened. when the Re-
puhlirans carried the Senate once more last Mo-
vcnb ber. Il was at first generally conceded that
he should hn President. The name 81 Senator
Hobart Of pAssaic bold partisan leader WAS
also mentioned; but his was n candidacy meek
and mild. His friends conceded Sewell's right
II Sewell should insist; but they thought Sewell
chance. because Gus was in his last year. and
might not go back, whereas Sewell was In his
first. and would still have two years 10 80 on.
Lately. however another element has np-
pcArcd ia the political reckoning. viz, Judge
lathrop. The Judge who derives his title from
the lay representation Ia the Court o. Errors
and Appeals, has long been the Old Brains ~
~ the New jersey Democracy. II is well known
that he clrcumveuted Albeit 10y inVenting Mo
Cleilan: and he has generally been able TO
throw enough material together to control tho
policy Of the State even with Republican Leg
When Judge .Lathrop was appointed receiver
OF the Central Railroad OF New Jersey. he CAV"
his whole mind to IT, From an enterprise that
seemed hopeessly bankrupt, he redeemed II
until Il is once more fourlshing and prosper
Gus. But IL required further legislation. The
Judge Was al work betimes 70 secure i. He
laid about him with a mighty swaih at the last
election. sparng neither party friend nor Toe
tnat was not pledged to help the Central. when
the Judge was abIured by friends OF proetrate
Democrats 10 stay his pnissant arm he had only
one answer: am mother Democrat nor Re;
UullleHu in this election. / Tor TIC Central
Station agents. land agents even train hands
in the companys employ were pressed into
service. and openly worked for the company 8
candidates. The company's point in Hudson
| County. for example. is TO secure authority 10
| Jersey City proper TO connect herself bv a
| bridge with the pronioniory which H." company
mas na 9n hsr S3rdTb "rS ,"
| sure passport To success by regular Demo
! cratic nomination had TO walk the plank be-
cause he declined to pledge himself IN advance
| 10 meet the company at the bridge. Tho Re-
| publicans must have been the better promlsers
| Tor fva OF the six Assemblymen in Democratic
| Jersey City are R"puhlicans
Having thus borne the heat and burden o: the
day in November Old Brains does not pro-
| pose 10 let anybody else do the governing
! Gen. Scwell. WHO has been slated for the Pres
| dcncy Of the Senate, le manager OF the W"t'
| Jersey Division Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
a corporation that is not expected 10 play ~
unison with the Central. Hence i comes that
| Old Brains IN said 10 have SHE'D his roomy
castor into the arena rs the hackeT oi HOBART
| Hobart If the receiver Of tho New Jersey Mid
and. II IS we'll understood that within Few
| days past Hoharts stock has risen. friend o'
| his remarked here yesterday; " Gus says he Ii
in this fight til the Senate decides H."
Up 10 the encouragement OF Leaning dan'
| gerous Illness Sewrll wis credited sometimes
| with six sometimes with seven OF the clever
! Republicans that were "a 20 into tho caucus. i
| ne had only six Leaning, who II n friend o
| Sewelrs must be deducted. That would leave
Hobart and him hve each From snch an ad
| vantngeous position Old Bruins would never le
his enemy recede until no had made salisiac
| tory terms. - -
| the situation. II he should come VI tomorrow
| the Judge will meet his Waterloo.