The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-24
GRIGGS' POLITICS.
General Stockton's Appoint
ment An Attempt to Get
Out of a Hole.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES TALK
If Hobart Won't Serve, Barker
Gummere Will Be Put Forward
Capitol Gossip.

TRENTON, June "A, 1S96.-There was
an unusual air of chipperness and buoy
ancy about the State House yesterday,
Although with the exception of the Gov
ernor all the conspicuous politicians We're
absent. Major Anderson was about for
a few minutes, but he took an early
train for Jersey City.
As announced in these dispatches yes
iterday Governor Griggs accepted the
resignation of ex-senator George H.
Large, of Hunterdon county, as a mem
Der of the Commission authorized by the
recent Legislature to ivestigate the
method of taxing corporations and ndi-
vidual property in this State, and APP
pointed Attorney General j. P. Stockton
in his place. The scope of the Commits
sion under the Legislative resolution en-
braces all sorts of taxation, but the OBJ
ject of it was to satisfy the Hudson
county members and to shut off debate
on the Equal Taxation bill, then pending
before the House, with a fair prospect
of its passage.
The appointment of General Stockton
Yesterday turns the Equal Taxation
Commission" as it is called, over to the
Democrats. Three of the five members
now are of hat party-Stockton, Rey-
nolds and Black. Rushing and vreden-
burg are the Republican members. The
appointment of a Democratic Commits
sion was not al first rel.shed by the Re-
publicans, and Governor Griggs was
roundly censured. Last night, however,
1t began to dawn upon the Republican
leaders that they had been relieved of
a very troublesome question, and hat
The Governor was playing politics."
Immediately after the adjournment Of
the Legislature, Assemblyman Queen,
the equal taxation advocate for Jersey
City, started ON a tour Of the State, de-
nouncing the Republican Legislature for
side-tracking the issue, d~enouncing the
railroads and declaring that equal taxa
ton clubs would be formed throughout
the State. He also brought the matter
before the Democratic Convention to
elect delegates to the Chicago Conven-
ton. and succeeded in having a plank
favor.ng the taxation of railroad and
other corporation property upon the same
basis of valuation and at the same local
rate as Individual property. THIS agita-
ton of a subject affecting corporations
very much frightened the Republican
politicians. and they have long been
hooking for a hole to crawl into"
Governor Griggs found the hole for
them yesterday. they now think. by
of the Democrats. This, the Governor
thinks. will stcN the organization of
equal taxation clubs, will close the mouths
of the Democratic orators on the short
mi off H. ~a4A~.+ IL A-,~A a.
the coming campaign, and will throw the
burden of defending the people against
the greed of the corporations upon the
Democrats, while at the same time the
Republicans will be able to pat the cor
porations Oh the back and say: W
didn't do It." and to the people say:
I'VE created the commission for you"
The Democratic leaders here are Of
the opinion hat the party should not
allow their opponents to shirk the ques-
ton, and it is not certain that General
Stockton will stand. Ex-senator Large,
it is known, favors equal aho of
railroad and individual property, and
there was a rumor to the effect that
his resignation on that account was
cheerfully accepted. While admitting
that he favored equal taxation. Senator
Large you'd not say that any n sug-
gested that he resign.
Tn lesser Republican lights who were
about the corridors were all shouting for
Hobart and talking about the 40, 900 or
$4,000 which the State was sure to give
for the Republican ticket since he had
there was net a Democrat left in New
Jersey. The absence of the leaders was
accounted for by the statement that next
Tuesday the men who control Republican
politics in the State will be out In force,
and then the question as to who shall
represent New Jersey on the National
Republican Committee will be decided.
1t has been said that a merry contest
Uya51!d he VIZ ond Hhnfu-onpH T1~o y. aE--Nf
ply and Barker Gurnmere of this city for
the place now held by Mr.. Hobart on the
committee, and State Treasurer Hancock
had been reported as being actively at
work to secure the place for Mr.. Gum
mere. Mr.. Hancock said yesterday that
it was quite possible that Mr.. Hobart
might remain on the committee. He was
chosen to serve in that capacity by the
New Jersey delegation at ST. Louis. and
if he did not deem it inconsistent with
his candidacy for Vice President he
would probably remain on the commit
tee. In the event, however, of Mr.. Ho-
created, Mr.. Hancock was very frank
to say that he should favor the naming
of MIR. Gummere for the position.
Those intimate with Mr.. Hobart say
committee for the present at least.
The National Committee has the power
to fill n vacancies that may occur
among their number but they would no
OuU appoiHt WllUiitftI uQlSQL De recon-
mended by the constituted authorities OF
the party in the State. A meeting of
the committee was held at ST. Louis last
Saturday, and when National Chairman
Hanna comes to New York, where the
headquarters will most likely
be established, another meeting will be
held at once. Mr.. Hancock said he had
no knowledge of a projected meeting Of
the st. Louis delegates, and until II IS
kneWn what Mr., Hobart will do, all re-
ports as to a contest are mere con-
lecture Mr.. Hobart he's expressed his
purpose to be at the State House next.
Tuesday, and when the chiefs of the
clans come together something will doubt
less be done.
Mr.. Gummere said positively yesterday
afternoon that he was not a cand dali FOR
National Committeeman: that he has NOT
asked any one to make an effort to Sc
cure It for him, but he further remarked
that II the party felt that he was the
man for the place he, being a loyal party
man, would accede. to the request. He
fact that two gentlemen had asked him
If he would accept. and he had told them
substantially as stated above.
After Governor Griggs had COMPLETED
his labors at the State House YESTERDAY
afternoon he went with Colonel Kuser
to the Riding academy to enjoy a short
A meeting Of the committee Of the State
Board Of Education VIII be. held at Cam
den early next rnonth to examine candi-
oates for County superintendent Their
are t~Wenty-three applicants for the nosi-
Ton from Ocean county.
The walks and flower beds In the State
they do now in their midsummer earh
The flower beds are lma Ssao nf rfoh 49,