The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-25
NAY BE- DHROUSSB YET
Shrewd Lobbyists Think
the Camden Man Will
Be Made Speaker.
GENERAL sEWELLA AT THE CAPITOL
He Has a Long Conference With
the Governor Gossip of
The Corridors.

ership Of the coming Legislature, which
circulated through the corridors and was
discussed by the veterans with more or
less seriousness. It was stated that the
Hon. Louis T. Derousse Of Camden was
peated declaration tina he is not a candi-
date and the apparently favorable attitude
Of the leaders who make speakers to the
candidacy of Mr.. George Mcpherson of
Mercer was nothing more than a huge
bluff put up for a purpose. There is moth
ing that creates more discord and serious
trouble than a bitter speakership fight. 1t
takes a long while to heal the Wounds
which the contest ~infaicts, and often mem
bers go home even after a prolonged ses-
sion with their hurts still bleeding n far
from healed.
1t is according to the rumor the inten-
ton of the leaders to avoid if possible any
speakership trouble this year, so they
passed the word along among a sufficient
number of those upon whom they can de-
pend to declare for Mcpherson so as to
make it appear from the very start that
he alone was in the field, and then at the
last moment when the caucus is held the
evening before organization spring De-
rousse n have him carried through.
The principal reason given for this is
that a large majority like that which win
be in the mex House is exceedingly diff
cult to handle, and in order to carry out
party plans a man win be required who
can hold the members down. It has also
been discovered that among the member
are some raw and untried members who
are already evincing signs of a DISPOSE
ton to make trouble. Some loud talk
from the kids, in the Hudson delega-
ton at banquetS and In speeches Of thanks
to clubs for services rendered during the
campaign of the great things they are
going to do at Trenton and the reform"
measures they are going to a passed
or know the reason why, has reached
Camden and Paterson, and it is recognized
that some man capable of teaching these
well-meaning but misguided young men
must be selected. DerouSse demonstrated
such work., while Mcpherson has never
given any evidence of possessing any of
the qualities required in such an emer-
gency. During last session he remained
NEST of the time quietly in his seat, and
when he did attempt to pass a measure he
did Sc in an -undemonstrative way which
did not show any over amount of agrees
sive power or force of character. 1t may
De, however, Ihat he possesses Gil theSe
attributes and has kept them in reserve.
1t would not be entirely accurate, per-
haps, to say that there is no speakershsp
fight going on, for there is. But while it
is nominally a speakership contest, it is
really a struggle for good committeeships.
Jones and Hogan of Essex are the two
principal contestants in this matter, and
Harry Gledhill of Paseaic Notwithstanding
he comes from that county, still smiles
his imperturbahle smile and declares he
is still nit" Mr.. Gledhili, some of the
members think, would make a good Lead
er. Willie Klink has kindly consented not
to be speaker. After thinking the matter
over he has come to the conclusion that
he will remain on the floor and put up
sue a fight for equal taxation as was
never seen in that Assembly chamber He
wilhbring down a bill which will be a bill
end which will be of some real practical
benefit to his Hudson County constituents.
He was offered the brief of one of the
prominent lawyers of the State who took
an active part in last winters fight and
whose arguments attracted a great deal
of attention from both the friends and
enemies of the measure. Willie, however,
declined the proffer with a eondescension
that was delightful, and coolly remarked
that he had a brief of his own. When
your Uncle Dick Reading heard this he
turned pale and had to go out and take
a walk in the air.
Speaking of Klink brings to mind the
idSt tidt there 10 lUuDlS III me HQfSCQ
delegation which may become serious. A
week ago yesterday Willie, Elmer w.
Demorest of Bayonne and Theodore c,
Wildman of Arlington went down to Tren-
ton and picked out the best seats in the
Hudson delegation. Not content with this
Willie took it upon himself to allot what
was left to the other eight Hudson men
without as far as can be learned consult
ing any of them. As the other members
come down and look at the seats which
ii n We kaara ftrA Ilz-- 49, In 49,
clined to resent Willie's Interference. Mr..
Bonnell, as far as he can, makes all the
changes possible, and only those seats are
kept positively for members who apply
to him personally.
General Sewell was here yesterday and
had a long conference with Governor
Griggs. The two great men conferred be-
hind closed doors, while statesmen of
lesser magnitude. State officials and citi-
zens kicked their heels in the anteroom.
What the two discussed they, OF course,
know best, but It was said the main topic
of their conversation was the vacancy in
the State Board of Assessors caused by
the election of David Baird as Sheriff Of
Camden County. There has been a great
scramble for this place, the candidates
coming from almost every county in the
State. Hudson was represented by James
G. Young, who had an excellent chance
of obtaining the appointment until the
Governor announced that the position be-
0ALSN ~ u 80 = ~ jul w III
have gone to Passaic had 1t not been for
the fact that Passaic already has a repre-
sentative on the Board. 1t was also stated
that the General recommended to the
Governor one of his trusty aides, E. Am
bier Armstrong, better known as Ram
bier" Armstrong from a habit he has cf
sauntering around among the members,
exchanging greetings with them and con-
versing quietly with them. Whenever
there .e a measure of interest to the trac-
ton companies before the House. Mr..
Armstrong comes from Camden, has been
Speaker of the House, and is very close.
indeed to General Sewell, and from the
Republican standpoint would make an ex-
cellent member of the Board. There was
considerable appointment talk in the cor
ridors and men were picked out for Offices
which will not be vacant for a year or W
yet.
As soon as Governor Griggs receives the
resignation of Andrew Kirkpatrick as
judge Of the Essex County Court Of Com
mon Pleas he will, in order to avert Dos
sible delay in the business of tha court.
appoint his successor. Who # will be the
Governor himself politely but firmly de-
clined to say, but the nowin ones pre-
dict It will be J. Franklin Fort. of East
Orange
There are Others who think it will be
Joseph T. Mum, of the same place, and
Mr.. Munn, who was here himself. looked
rather happy after an interview with the
Governor.
There was a larger gathering Of place
hunters than usual. and 1t was more
noticeable. In some resupcfr herauea n