New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-20
" ~s@o ~
TT LOOKS LIKE A TRICK.
SENATOR SMITHS RESIGNATION RE-
JECTED BY THE COMMITTEE
70 APPARENT SINCERITY IN HIS STATEMENT RE
oARDrNG HIS rosITIoN-coLoNEL PRICE BEGS
FOR SMITHS RErENT1oN-BRyAN TO
SPEAK IN NEw-JERsEY THIS WEEK.

STEAK IN NEw-JERsEY THIS WEEK
The Democratic State Committee met at Tayior's
Hotel in Jersey City, yesterday. pursuant 10 the
call OF its chairman. United States Senator James
Smith IT, who desired TO lay his resignation pelore
tina committee Besides Senator Smith these men,
hers OF the committee present. harry d.
Paul, Of Camden Philip p. Baker, OF Cumperiaho
y L. Price Of Essex; Benman s. Cox. OF Gouoes-
ter: James W. Lanning. OF Mercer Ohver hei'' oi
Middlesex: David S. Crater. of Monmouth; Charies
L. Rogers Of Ocean: Louis F. Braun OF fass''o
Robert Gwynne of Salem; William J. Keyes' or
Somerset; Samuel Fowler OF Sussex; W. d. "oi-
skiel Of Union; Johnston Cornish, OF warren anu
Senator Richard S. Kuhl, committeeman-at-arge'
Senator Smiths letter in which he declared that
ne had decided to straddle the political fence THIS
year had a depressing effect on most OF the mem
bers of the committee. II their melancholy races
vera snv indication of their feelings Even john
ston Cornish, whose good nature is proVerpia'
looked solemn, while Colonel e. Livingstone PRICE,
the boss" Of Essex. appeared 10 be po"eu uo""
with sorrow which may or may not have oeen
feigned Many of the committeeman iet' peioie
tho reeting that Senator Smith should be taken at
b,s word no matter whether he had 'barl OF
not. while others thought that he should De sum
marily removed. To the shrewder ones 1t appeared
however that Smith should be forced 10 take MS
own medicine He had, they commended initiated
his illustrious colleague Senator HILL IN oeciafine
that he was a Democrat and as Democra' ne
should be made TO bear the responsibilities OF the
chairman Of the State Committee.
One Of the most pronounced advocates Oh o"ii'
retention IN the chair was Colonel Price VINO oe
clared: by virtue Of his Office. Senator Smith Is
an extremely powerful factor In State pohtcs
Take away his office and he Is no better than any
one else He u.s. besides. active politician ana
this makes It all the more necessary that ne shouu
be kept in the place. The only objection 10 oent'o,
Smith is that he does not approve OF one part OF
the platform. Some people might say 'na' MS
heart is not In his work but we have his statement
that he Is going 70 vote for Bryan. ana ! M sure
that he will do all In his power to elect him. Tnere
Is no one more qualified 10 conduct this campaign
than Senator Smith, and that is why raVor HIS
remaining as chairman
Colonel Price inflicted this harangue on every
member Of the committee with such earnes'ness
that when the meeting called TO order there
,e-a onIv two or three who favored the acceptance
Of the resignation and these were in an extremely
receptve mood. After the usual routine o"si"o''
was over, Senator Smith arose and again oeciareu
his position on National affairs. He was however
so much mder in his assertions regarding the imam
cial question that those who heard MN we're IN
clIned 10 doubt the sincerity u the letter when ne
issued on Friday. He insisted that II was no.
fair TO him 10 continue him al the head OF 'he com
nittee and he entreated the members 10 put thein-
selves IN his place and think how they wouid ACT
under the circumstances. His speech was brief'
but 1t was eloquent that the sixteen men WHO
were present could scarcely restrain their tears.
With his voice husky from emotion, the senator
even said: Gentlemen. will now leave you 10
consider my resignation, which Is irrevocaDle. IL
would not be pleasant for me TO be present when
Won take your action, so will bid you farewell
Colonel Price escorted the Senator from the room
amid silence so dense that II could be carved with
a knife The Colonel and the Senator conferred
for a few moments. during which time the latter
drilled Colonel Price in the little speech which ne
was 10 make when he returned to the meeting
A, the door of Senator Smiths private apartment
the na,r parted and Colonel Price returned 10 the
WEARING where he recited his little piece extolling
Senator Smiths energy. ability and liberalty espe-
cialy the latter with sucn effect that the douoters
1era hyrnotized into believing that the Democracy
of Neu-Jersey demanded Smiths retention at the
head OF the organization. and that without MIN the
marty would be wrecked on the shoals OF an IN
euficIent exchequer. While the astute 'oiohei vi"
not openly assert that Smith was needed 10 lurhsh
funds he intimated that such was the case, ana
that the Senator was willing 10 cruelty his patriouo
PRINCIPLES On a cross Of his gold for the semi.
vindication which the refusal OF his resignation
would indicate.
In consequence of Colonel Prices appeal for the
man who believes in gold. but will vote against 1t,
the following resolution was unanimously adopted
Resolved That the committee, having fully con
sidered the resignation OF the Hon james oi i
ar nc chairman of this committee, ana all matters
In connection herewith, deem 1t for the best inter
of the Democracy OF the state haa e Re-
fused and Senator Smith continued as the chalr-
man
structed to Immediately notify Senator Smith Of
the action of this committee.
Thus did James Smith. jr, an avowed sound
money man and the representative of a common
wealth which believes in sound money. square"
himself with the so-caed Democracy or New
Jersey His bluff had worked well.
In addition TO rejecting the resignation OF sena-
tor Smith the committee transacted some other
business William X. Devereux. of Asbury PARK.
was elected secretary Of the committee. to take the
Mace of Willard c. Fske. who resigned rather
than support Bryan and free silver Mr. Devereux
Is one of the owners of The Spray" newspaper
NJ Asbury Park and is extremely popular with the
democracy on account OF his pronounced silver
sentiments Headquarters will be opened IN
Taylor's Hotel. Jersey City. on Monday.
At the meeting of the committee the itinerary CT
William ]. Bryan through New-Jersey was an
nounced The BOY GATOR" VIII arrive IN trenton
AT 4 o'clock on the morning of September 2S lie
will make a. short speech whether he has any
audience or not. From Trenton he will go over
the Belvidere branch of the PennsXlvanaa R Bah
Tosd through Manunka Chunk his car viii be
ferred TO the Delaware Lackawanna and western
aId asbnston AT the latter place he will have
grand reception Johnston Cornish me commit inno
factory. the Cornish Cornet Band Will play ana
win be made Hackcttstown. Dover and Norris
town. .,ooo. -. n,,,oh prvo,
viii Sneak all lie in the IVth Congress District.
section which has more silveIites popuilsts s ana
The enthusiasm which Is bound TO attend these
meetings will afford the party managers chance
10 circulate reports OF the great advance made by
the silver heresy in New-Jersey As strategic
move II Is a grand success.
An amusing incident occurred just before the
meeting OF the committee. state Senator kuhl
met Senator Smith In the corridor and said TO him:
"Is what / in the papers the truth about you.
SENATOR" . e- e,., ., ,
4 great deal Of thought before reached that CON
ciusion but # was the only way could satisfy
III suppose you did 1t to gain reputation" sug-
gested Mr. sKuh
Senator Smith gasped. but, recovering quickly,
renIied Yes IL a reputation for honesty
Before he could go any further the sergeant-at-
srms announced that the committee was waiting
and the incident closed.
Yx-nnr LDITEGED EDR NKINIEY