New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-17
REPUBLICANS AT TRENTON.
VIGOROUS CANvASSING FOR THE LEADING
PLACE ON THE TICKET
ORGANIZING THE NEwJERSEY STATE CON
MITTEE-BALLoT REFORM AND HIGH
LICENSE EXPECTED IN THE
Ibr TKLEGRAPH TO THE TkBuSkI

Ibr IkLEGRAPH TkBUSkI
Trenton, n. j., Sept. 16.-The eve of a State
Republican Convention has not seen n larger
more earnest body of men than assembled here
tonight. The hotels are full, and exciting
canvass for the nomination is going among the
csowus that throng the corridors and reception
rooms. Prominent Republicans from every part
OF The State are here, and the contagious
thusasm of the crowd has affected them, and
tihy are entering into the struggle for the nOm-
lnatlon with the utmost earnestness. Perhaps.
the interest in the result tomorrow seems
greater by comparison with the lifelessness and
curand-dried methods of the Democratic Con-
vention week ago. Those who have alleged that
Republicans were dismayed at the prospect in New
jersey should be here to witness the energy with
which the nomination is sought by the friends of
the candidates for their principals
Ihe leading candidates tonight General e.
Burd Grubb and John Kean, jr., with too much
eXcited interest in the contest between them to
make prediction as to the successful man at all
safe. General Grubb is holding a continuous
reception on side Of hotel cor
rdor and Dir. kean is having as
many visitors on the other side They
both say that they ouly know Of the contest
what their friends report to them, but that the
reports are encouraging. One of General Grubbs
lieutenants claimed that the State south of
Trenton was solid for him, and that he had
twenty-five votes in Essex and scattering support
in Other counties which would nominate him.
Mr. Kean's friends claim all of the lid Con-
greSSional District, most Of the IVth District,
and Kay that the Mcgowan vote of Mercer County
Will come in for him after the first ballot The
Essex vote is bone of contention, and an effort
iG hpiD0 do in+
The only man who could get the solid Essex
vote is eX-COngrcssman George A. Hasey but he
is here and emphaticaly declines the use Of his
name.
Some Of ex-senator Fisks friends are urging
his nomination by the Essex men, and Mr. Fisk,
who Is here, has been announced as a candidate.
1t is considered too late, however for any diver
sion from the principal contestants. Passaic
County has voted to support Mr.. Kean. Ex-
Senator Sewell is here, but has not openly de-
clared himself on either side as get The
seven hundred delegates may be considered
divided into many parts to leave one
man majority. Several complimentary votes
may be cast among them that OF Passaic for
ex-senator Griggs, who, however, is not a can
didate
A prominent figure In the throng is the ven-
crable John |. Blair the great farmer capitalist,
who is delegate from Warren County, and is
enthusiastic for the Republican ticket, whatever
1t may be. curious movement early in the
evening was that started by number Of gentle
men from Bergen County, who came here with
boom for ex-Postmaster-General Thomas L. James
| in tieir possession. They wanted to nominate
him for Governor, and pointed out that he was
| now citizen Of Bergen County, and previous TO
his postoiice experience had been resident of
itrr A tha Constitution ranuPpS
years continuous residence in the State immedi-
ately previous to nomination, the boom was laid
aside, with the statement that three years from
now Mr. James would be qualified and would be
in the contest
The State Committee met this evening, and
selected eX-Assembyman Frank o. Cole,
of Jersey City, for temporary chairman,
after close contest between Mr.. Cole and Job S.
Ga,lull. of Burlington. The following temporary
secretaries were chosen: Il. E. Sanderson, of
Essex: j. Herbert Potts, of Hudson; Richard b.
Reading of Hunterdon, and Augustus Barber, of
Gloucester.
The platform will make o strong declaration in
favor of ballot reform, will briefly rehearse and
reafrm the Republican attitude in favor of equal
taxation will approve the National Administration
heartily and declare warmly IN favor of High
License as a means Of stringntly regulating the
liquor traffic. Some doubt exists as TO the course
to be pursued on local option.
The Essex delegation held its caucus this after
noon and elected Henry a. Potter chairman 6y
vote of 46 10 SO for Carl Lentz. Edwin Hlne
was selected as member of the State Committee,
and ex-senator William Stainsby was chosen In
place of ex-senator Fisk as the other committee
man ! Frank Ford was elected member of the
Committee on Resolutions. The Convention Will
meet at noon tomorrow in Taylor's Opera House:
There will be a large attendance DeSiueo Cho
delegates Trenton is actively interested in the
candidacy of Ex-N1ayor Mcgowan, while large
number of friends and supporters OF GenefaI
Grubb are booming him now, and will have their
members increased by fresh arrivals from ms
home at Burlington tomorrow They we wear roe1 rsa
badges and many of them are Grald ANY oar Lncn,
Tho leaders Ali admit that the contest between
Grubb and Kean will be exceedingly close unless,
as one of them said, there is an earthquake
and a dark horse" mixed metaphor that may
bc considered characteristic OF the stuau0h
since the excitement reached its fever heat Inc me
man nominated may confidently expect unltfu % anu
enthusiastic support under any circumstances