The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-01
KELSEY'S DINNER.
1t Was Not a Slate Making
Affair, but 1t Had a
Political Aspect.

TRENTON. Dec. l, 1890 The chief topic
OF gossip last week was, OF course, the
dinner given on Tuesday to the Governor,
Senators and Democratic State Commit
tee by Secretary of State Henry c. Kelsey
In view of the positive denials both Of
the Governor and Mr.. Kelsey, the idea
has been completely abandoned that IL
was in any sense a slate making affair.
Those who keep posted on current af-
fairs, however, have had no difficulty In
fnding another and a highly probable ex-
planaston of It. II is an open seer et that
the relations between the Secretary and
the Governor have been trifie strained.
The Secretary is man of quiet power.
Twenty years In this important office has
given him much knowledge Of the in
ternal affairs OF the State and his party.
He is very shrewd man and a capable
State officer. He anu the Governor have
had some political difference. This Is
the reason why the papers have from
time to time stated that there are doubts
about the Secretary being re9ppointed by
the Governor
The Secretary's term will not expire
until April 1892. IL looks on the face of
ii O trifie far-fetched to dine and wine the
men of party Influence at this remote
date. Wellinformed Democrats think
that the Secretary had a rod In pickle for
Albeit, to be used when he came to the
Democratic caucus for votes to send him
to the United State Senate. He set his
pickle during the campaign just closed.
and he was going to strengthen the liquid
next fall.
The situation was very much changed
| by the result of the last election. Gov
ernor Albeit was swept In with evidences
Of greater popularity than ever. His
election to the United States Senate Is
safe, in fact is sure, because of the big
majority in the Senate, which cannot
help being increased next winter
THE sECRETARY'S CHANCES.
The Secretary Is now dependent on the
Governors favor for his appointment. No
one can SCI that he will not be reap
pointed. III there be any trouble on the
political moon the soothsayers have not
been able to interpret 1t. The Secretary
| is long headed and shrewd- feast was
sure to produce some good and no harm.
Whether 1t was the love feast IL was des-
cribed, will only be made manifest Dy the
coming events.
The Governor was there, and he will
make the appointment. The Democratic
| Senators were there. and they will vote
for the confirmation. The State Commit
| tee and the influential leaders were there.
and they will be Influential in counseling
| the Governor. These are the facts as set
| forth from those on the inside, and the
| Inference Is open.
Brigadier General w. C. Heppenhefmer
| Is apparently in the swim. His friends
declare that his candidacy for State
support OF the Governor, Allan McDer-
mott, James Smith. Jr., and Niles Ross
These are the men who control the situa-
| tion. Colonel John Van Cleef, the secre-
! tary of the State Board Of Assessors. is
still in the fight, and will remain there
until the result is announced. DE prom
| ises a good contest. and he has many
| friends.
| The candidates for the State Treasurer
ship are still in the fight. Ex-Congress-
| man Moon. who had the caucus nomina-
| tion three years ago, is disposed to press
| his claim; If so, he may make trouble for
| Treasurer Gray, of the Newark Water
Board. The cluster of the strong Demo
| cratic counties up the Delaware Valley
are anxious for some recognition, and
they are entitled to it, for they have kept
| up strong Democratic majority. and 1t
w as always counted on.
WANTS ONE OF THE PLUMs
There are some statements made that
| DIR. William Newell, of Millville, would
| like TO be State o1lcer. He made his
| vigorous campaign as Democratic cdndi-
| date for Congress III the First district
with a view Of making an impression on
| the leaders. His anticipatlons were real
1 iZed, and he wants some recognition The
| doctor is accredited with having desire
| to be Clerk of the Supreme Court. but B.
f. Lee has the Office for as long as ne
/ wants 1t.
| This fact has become known to the
| Doctor, so he is IN the field for anything
| that comes his way. He is now a mem
| ber of the State Board OF Education, and
\ the chairman of the State Medical Com
mission, and he carries the honors well.
| West Jersey cut too poor a figure IN po-
| litical matters to expect any considera-
| ton from the powers that are, who be-
| lieve most fondly. that New Jersey
proper is above Trenton
General f. Burd Grubb is now in
CT NrrnC dan tod
| with Secretary Blaine package which is
| 10 be forwarded to him and will swell his
heart with delight. The General is
| proud of the Association OF the Officers
of the Yorktown Battalion. OF which he
| is president. They meet and sit around
his expansive mahogany every year. AT
| their last meeting they passed resolutions
which were intended 10 appropriately ex-
press their happiness IN his selection as
| the Minister to Spain. Historian W. J.
| Bruce, of the battalion, who is now ia
| Washington, was authorized 10 have the
resolutions properly engrossed. He has
\ filled the order IN manner that VIII De
| highly satisfactory TO the members OF the
| battalion and the General An album
| has been prepared Of heavy morocco, and
the resolutions, highly embellished IN
water color on the heaviest OF Dook paper,
| hat been prepared
| The title page has an excellent portrait
| of The General and "a delightful blending
| of the Spanish and American flags. The
| workmanship is SO thoroughly artistic
| that 1t has solicited the unanimous ad-
/ miration of those who have seen it, II
will be forwarded by the State Depart
ment 10 the office Of Legation at Madrid
| by the next steamer.
OFFICERS OF THE ASSEMBLY
| The friends of Alderman William Har-
| rigau, of Newark. claim that he is in the
| lead as the candidate for the o-'ice OF Ser
geant alarms of the House OF Assembly.
/ Joseph Atkinson is going 10 contest with
| Thomas Noonan for CLERK.
/ There is considerable talk about the
various chairmanships. Senator Marsh,
| of Union, will be made chairman of the
Committee on Municipal Corporations.
| Senator George L. WerEs, OF Morris, Will
/ be the head and front Of the Judiciary
| Committee. There are five lawyers in the
Senate, pamely: Werts, Adrain.
| Marsh, Stuhr aud Barrett Both the
| Judiciary aud the Committee on Revision
of Laws will probably be composed of
| lawyers.
| In the House. Mullone. If he docs not
| get the Speakership, viii be made the
| chairman of the Committee on Municipal
| Corporation; AssemblymanCampbeh that
| OF the Judiciary Committee, and Charles
| Trefz to be at the head OF the Committee
| ON Banks and Insurance Thomas H.
| Usher. OF Hudson, will again aspire 10
/ lead the COMMITTEES on Labor and Indus
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