The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-09-20
GRlCGS FOR GOVERNOR
The Unanimous Choice Of New
Jersey Republicans.
THREE BALLOTS ARE NECESSARY.
The Convention Attracted Moro Of the
Rank and File OF the Party Than Has
Been Seen Mt n slmiia& Gathering for
Over Twenty Years.

TRENTON, Sept 20. - The Republican
state convention met here yesterday and
nominated John w. Griggs, of Union
county, ex-state senator and a prominent
lawyer, for governor.
Because Of the fact that the Republicans
are very hopeful of success this fall, the
convention attracted to the city more OF
the rank and file of the party than has been
seen at o similar gathering for over twenty
years, and there WINS a genuine effort on
the part Of half dozen gentlemen TO Sc
cure the coveted nomination which finally
fell to Mr.. Griggs on the third ballot.
His chief competitor was ex-Congress-
man John Kean, Jr., who was the candi-
date against Governor Werts three years
years ago. The others In the race were
Elias d. Ward, president of the Prudential
Insurance company Of Newark; State Sem
ator Foster NJ. Voorhees, of Union, State
Senator Maurice M. Rogers OF Camden
and Congressman John ]. Gardner of At
lantic, all Of them having almost equal
strength with the exception of Gardner,
who polled only twenty-three votes on the
first ballot, and was then dropped. Sheriff
Toffey, Of Hudson, although not a candi-
date, received thevote of one Burlington
county delegate on each Of the three bal
lots.
platform says; I'VE reafflrm our devotion
to the national policy of our party; our
opposition to any attempt to impose upon
this country debased or deprecated cur
rency, and our firm belief in the wisdom
and beneflcence Of a tax upon imports
which will afford protection to American
industry and adequate revenue"
Tho convention was called to order by
Franklin j. Murphy, the chairman of the
state Republican committees in Taylor's
Opera House, which was packed with
crowd of delegates and shouting friends of
the candidates.
On recommendation of Chairman MUIR
ply, Congressman Mahlon Pitney was
made temporary Chairman, and he was
escorted to the platform, amidst great ap-
piause and cheers, by Garrett A Hobert, the
Griggs supporter, and Senator r. C. Stokes,
OF Burlington county.
The committee on permanent organize
ton recommended that J. Frank Fort, of
Essex, be chairman. Eugene Finley, Of
Passaic, and Senator Thomson, of Somer-
set, escorted ex-Judge Fort to the plat
form. At the conclusion of the speeches
roll Of the counties was called for and the
naming of representatives on the commit
tees on resolutions, organization and
credentials.
Griggs was formally nominated when
Passaic county was reached in the roll
call by Colonel Joseph w. Congdon, who
eulogized his favorite as a distinguished
lawyer and a man Of the people. For Sus-
sex Lewis Van Bfarcom seconded Griggs.
William H. Corbin, chairman of the
Union county delegation, announced that
that county had two candidates. Con-
gresham Fowler was first introduced,
and he named Senator Foster w Voorl
hees. j. Martin Roll, of the same county,
named ex-Congressman John Kean, Jr,
also of Union, and the nominations closed.
Before the balloting began Middlesex
county presented claims for two additional
delegates based on new wards in Perth
Amboy, and after some debate this was
allowed. One more delegate was also al
lowed Essex county for a new ward in East
Orange. These additions increased the
membership Of the convention to s47, max
ing 424 necessary to a choice
The first ballot resulted; Griggs, p94;
Kean, 907; Ward, 16s; voorhees,, "A; Rogers,
20; Gardner, e8; Toffey, 1; blank, /. On the
second ballot, the Atlantic county delera-
ton dropped Gardner, the vote resulting:
Griggs, 1873; Kean, e4s; Ward, 1865; voor-
bees, e5; Rogers, 90; Toffey, /. The Essex
county people wanted the chairman to
pass their county on this ballot, but he dc
clined to do So and they thereupon gave
their 154 votes to Ward, as on the first bal
lot.
The third and last ballot was taken
amid much confusion, although Chairman
Fort, by his flrmness, prevented any mis-
understanding of the vote Of the various
counties. At the conclusion of the roll
call there was q scramble to change the
vote of nearly half the counties. On the
straight call of the roll the third ballot
resulted: Griggs, 391; Kean, 260; Ward,
lac; Voorhees,, 40; Rogers, 4; Toffey, /.
Before the result was announced, however,
the scramble began, resulting in the cleo
ton of Griggs by reclamation.
Mr.. Griggs was then introduced In a
few words he thanked the convention for
the nomination, and after denouncinR
Democratic misrule" in New Jersey pre-
scented Mr.. Kean, his strongest opponent
for the nomination. The latter asked that
his supporters show the same loyalty to
the man that won the nomination as they
had exhibited in his behalf
At 6:35 tho convention adjourned sine
die.
John w. Griggs, the Republican nomi-
nee for governor, was born at Newton, Sus-
sex county, in 1s4e. He graduated from
Lafayette college, Easton, and was admit
ted to the bar in 1871. In 1875 he was
elected to the assembly from the old First
district Of Passaio county, and reelected
in 1875. In 1889 he was elected to the SEN
ate by plurality of 1s2 over James InQlis.
Jr., and In 1885 he was reelected after a
very exciting campaign. In 1896 he was
made president of the senate. The noni-
nee is considered one of the ablest Repub-
licans in this state.
Patriotic Sons Adjour..
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept eo.-The national
H.. 81. r.