New-York tribune., 1895-08-18
rHE JERSEY GOvERNORsHIP.
A REPUBLICAN LIKELY TO WIN IN THE
APPROACHING CONTEST.


DEMOCRATIC LEADERS DEsroNDENr FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN YEARS = PROMINENT
CANDIDATES ON BOTH SIDES.
Trenton, n j., Aug II GpeciaD.-In little
moro than month the candidates for the TWO
great parties for Governor Of New-Jersey Will
be in the neld. and the most interesting state
campaign in many years will be under fuii
heAd~ay. The approach OF the contest mas
the opposing forces in positions directly the re-
Verse of those which they have been accus-
toned TO occupy. hope and confidence OF VIC
tory smiling on the Republican banner. and the
fear OF defeat hanging like cloud over the
ranks Of the Democracy. Within the memory
OF the younger voters Of the State none but
Democrats have occupied the chair OF the chief
executive and to many persons 1t has seemed
that the tide would turn. for nearly
twenty-seven years have passed since Marcus
1. Ward, the last Republican Governor New
Jersey had, gave up the reins Of power and re-
tired in favor of Theodore F. Randolph who
has been succeeded by long line of men Of
his own party. 1t is. therefore, a novel condi-
ton Of affairs which sees the Democracy virtu-
ally beaten before the battle has really begun.
and its opponents ella, ed with the prospect Of
long-deferred success at the polls.
1t must not be imagined that the Democratic
leaders have. in many words. given up the
ghost. On the contrary. they profess to be filled
with the same feeling Of certainty that has
hitherto characterized their entrance upon the
fight for the Governoshp. There are. how
ever. actions that speak louder than words. and
there Is a silence that Is more expressive than
speech. and from these circumstances as much
as anything else the dismay that has overtaken
the party may be inferred For example a
nomination for the 'office ,: Governor does not
so begging when It carries with IL a fair chance
Of success. and in New-Jersey especially there
has been hitherto no lack Of available and will
ing Democratic aspiranto for 1t.
This year. however, no man Of the right sort
can be found who will declare himself
candidate. General Theodore Runyon, the AM
bassador to Germany whose name was often
discussed. let it be known that he was more
than comfortable in his present berth. 1t was
General Runyon. by the way. who met defeat at
the hands Of his fellow -townsman. Marcus L.
Ward. in 1869 and he, no doubt. has sufficient
y lively recollection Of the experience not TO
wish to repeat it. Ont drubbing is enough for
any Democrat in New-Jersey, and General Run
yon may well consider that he has done his duty
in martyrdom and that fresh victim should be
offered up.
There are only two names that one hears men
toned as at ali likely to head the Democratic
ticket this fall and while they are the names of
men widely different in character and quality.
the selection OF either would be anything but
compliment 10 lis bearer and would be signif-
cant 10 the close observer. One Of these men Is
Chancellor Alexander T. McGill. upright
judge and a popular man. against whom person
ally no reflection could be cast. which accounts
for the desire Of many OF the professional polit-
clans 10 have him Nominated. The very men
who have covered the party with shame and in
vited a visitation OF disaster upon 1t would be
glad to have Chancellor McGll Put forward as a
cloak to their unwholesomeness. in the vain hope
that in the contemplation Of his merits their un-
worthiness might be forgotten.
In happier times they would have preferred
to keep the Office in the hands Of some one more
friendly TO their own personal interests, but now
they would lie glad Ia win with him as their
leader. while Ii some must be defeated.
they would as soon have him bear the discom
future as any ono else Chancellor McGill. how
ever g reported as declaring that he is not
candidate for the nomination, and there is every
reason to believe that he would rather not have
II. His present position is more suited to his
temperament and training than the Governor
ship would be- and in many ways it is quite as
honorable 1t may be- however, that the nomi-
nation will be forced upon MIN, and that he Will
feel that it is his duty to accept it.
\ man of another stamp. standing in far
more wiling attitude toward the nomination. is
Augustus W. Cutler. Of Morris County For
many years he has been a suitor for the favor Of
Democratic State conventions, but the choice has
always fallen TO some one else. Ii was TO be ex-
pected that this perennial candidate would bob
up serenely'' and he has not disappointed that
anticipation. II may be that his party will con-
fer upon him the doubtful honor which in
the days OF its ascendancy it withheld. Al any
rate If IL does not do so. 1t will not be MI. Cut
ler's fault, for he is leaving no stone unturned.
THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.
There is no dearth Of candidates, however, in
the Republican ranks. Among the excellent
men who have acknowledged readiness TO ac-
cept the nomination three stand out corspicu-
Susly on account Of the strength they have de-