New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-27
CANDIDATES FOR SPEAKER.
SKINNER AND DERoUssE THE ONLY
ONES IN THE RACE.
THE FORMER SEEMS TO HAVE AN IMMENSE AD-
VANTAGE AT PREVENTIVE LARGE ESSEX
DELEGATION Is SOLID FOR HIM.
DERoUssE's FRIENDS SAY HE
HAS A GOOD SHOW.

HAS GOOD SHOW
The contest for the speakershp OF the Assembly
OF New-Jersey has simmered down to two candi-
dates. Alfred f. Skinner, of Essex County and Louis
7. Derousse, OF the Camden County delegation. All
the others have Withdrawn. and one Of the prettiest
battles In NewJersey politics is now being
waged to see which of these two will achieve
the victory. With less than three weeks to elapse
before the opening of the Legislature II seems
If Mr.. Skinner has a decided advantage. although
unforeseen complications may arise to prevent his
election.
One item that is greatly in Mr.. SINNERS favor Is
the fact that he has behind him the solid delegation
of eleven members from his county. while his
opponent is unable to claim much for himself 1t
is openly asserted that at least one and possibly
two. of the three Assemblymen from Camden
County pledged to Mr.. Skinner though Mr..
Deroussc's friends deny the truth of this rumor.
The Essex County delegation, however. insist that
they have claim on these votes. and that when the
IS taken in caucus there will be large major
iy for their candidate.
The fact that Mr. Skinner was unanimously made
the choice of his delegation a meeting held last
week Is significant, it indicates that popular
timent desires his election. The delegation is
extremely aggressive one. and is. besides. backed
by the chairman of the State Committee Franklin
Murphy, and the chairman of the County Com
mittee, Major Carl Lenz both of whom exert
little influence In State affairs.
The Skinner forces confident that their man
will &c; the nomination and all of them talk in
triumphant way about the prospects Why"
said member of the delegation yesterday, its as
sure as fate that All Skinner will be the next
Speaker. In Essex we have eleven votes. or, at any
ten In Camden we have one, in Bergen at least
one. in Union two. and equal number In Mercer.
Two members from MddleseN pledged TO us,
and one In Passac has written strong letter In
favor of our Besides these there are half
dozen who incline our way, but are non-committal
as they wish to which way the calf will run.
In all surely go into the caucus with nine
teen which pledged. On a showing like
that We cannot fail draw in Of the more
timd members. and 1t is my prediction that there
The impression prevails that the question OF State
politics control of the patronage Will not enter
United States Senator Sewell favors Mr.. Derousses
candidacy as they are from the county and in
fact most intimate friends. but that he Will
not lend his political strength TO Mr. Derousse as
such action might not only cause dissensions
among the Republican in the Legisatu but i'm
pede the passage OF certain bills which are now
favored by the members OF the party irrespective
of locality At the time of Senator Sewells election
Mr. skinner was an adhersn Of Mr: Mu nary
sanship and when the caucus awarded the nomina-
ton to General sewell he fell into line and voted
choice 1T is said that General Sewell has mani
tested his regard for Mr. Skinner by declaring that
this not his fight and that he would use no IN
iuence to prevent the choice OF Speaker going one
There is only one member from Essex who is not
known to be pledged to Mr.. skinner and he has
candidate for MINOR once MnV - III" H. nrsonaiI,
favors the Newark lawyer, and II is doubtful II ne
would cast a vote for the other candidate under any
circumstances 80,
Mr. Skinner himself is confident Of success i
have received number of letters lately In when
am assured of the support OF almost enough votes
TO secure me the nomination. All these letters are
couched In such that there can be no DOUBT OF
the sincerity of the writers. and is not egotistical
for me TO say that feel sure of having the honor
of being the first member from Essex in thirteen
wears who has presided over the New-Jersey Assem-
bly, In case am elected will know no dHerence
between my friends and my opponents. and VIII 90
my best TO distribute what favors have at my De-
stoWal without regard TO the vote.