The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-26

DUNCAN And SW AIN
Essex Assemblymen Hold a
Caucus and Adopt
a Slate.
BREIDENBACH NOT ENDORSED
TO Help Hudson in Exchange for
Votes for Their Candi-
dates.
BREIDENBACH NOT ENDORSED
specfa. to the Jerseu c4tv Nsaus.

Ne " ANY, pSc. 70, 1870 OF the
eleven Assemblymen held a caucus at the
Republican Clubhouse Wednesday night
and agreed without dissent to support
Charles B. Duncan for Clerk of the House
and Theodore Gaddis for Assistant En-
crossing Clerk.
Two hours were devoted to a discussion
Of the Endorsement Of a candidate for Ser
geant-at-Arms. and then the matter was
dropped without definite action because
neither of the three candidates proposed
received the six votes necessary to secure
the delegation's Endorsement, in Accord
anee With the unit rule adopted several
weeks ago.
Every member present wanted a door
keeper or page. and each expects to have
his desires satisfied, provided the Legis-
lature agrees to increase the number Of
those appointees beyond the standard
fixed at the extra session Of 1886.
prospective legislation was not dis
cussed except in connection with a sug-
gestion to combine with Hudson. In that
event it was asserted that the Essex
delegatiofi, by pledging it supper for
u taxation, could receive in return
the vote of Hudson for Duncan and any
other candidates agreed upon by Essex.
When Chairman Hogan opened the meet
ing he announced that Assemblyman Bau-
man, who was unavoidably absent. had
agreed to abide by any action Of the eau
Gus except the selection of Andrew J..
Breideng5ach for Sergeant-at-Arns. After
briefly stating what had TRANSFERRED at
Trenton since the last gathering Of the
Essex members, the chairman said it was
about time for Essex to take such action
as would define It's position clearly. So
far as the Speaker was concerned he
assured his colleagues there was no com
test.
The others took a similar view, and 1t
was unanimously decided to support
George w. Macpherson, of Mercer, for
Speaker. Next in order came the Clerk
Of the House, and Assemblyman Ebie
moved for the Endorsement Of Charles
Duncan for hat position.
Why that has been done already"
remarked one Of his colleagues.
Il know 1t has," responded Mr.. Ebie,
but the assertion has been made that
Duncan would not get the solid vote of
Essex. and, as he was only indorsed by
a conference which don't appea to be
pindlng, now move that We indorse
him in caucus"
Some one wanted to know how Dun
can stood with members In other Sec
ticns OF the State.
How does he stand?" echoed Mr..
Ebie. well. here are letters from twen-
ty members pledgtng their support, n
with u eleven votes. that will give
him thirty-one, or two votes more than
is necessary
Nothing further was said on the SUBJ
ject. and a vote was taken, giving Dun
can the solid delegation.
1T has been said" remarked another,
that Essex will not stand as a unit for
George 3. Swain. n I think we ought
to take a vote on his position too"
This led up to a discussion which dis
closed the fact that each of the eleven
Assemblymen had received a letter from
Treasurer Swain asking their support,
and all declared they had promised 1t.
No further Endorsement was considered
necessary, and no action was taken. AS
sistant Clerk of the House, journal
Clerk were all passed without action,
because 1t was held that Essex could not
expect either of those positions along
with Clerk of the House.
Next in order comes the position of
Sergeant-at-Arms, gentlemen" announce
ed Chairman Hogan. Essex had the
place last year, and In accordance with
the second term custom, it is practically
conceded to Essex again this year" Here
the chairman paused for nomination.
For two minutes a deep silence ensued.
one member looked at another, and not
q sound was heard until Assemblyman
Il move that Essex County indorse Da-
vid c. Harrison for the position of Ser
gean-at-Arma"
Second the motion!p came from Assem-
blymen Ebie, Steddig, Fairchfld and Har-
rison In chorus, showing that the nomi-
nee had at east v supporters.
AS an amendment, Mr.. Chairman" IN
terposed Assemblyman Porter. Il move
that we irdorSe David e. Benedict"
Second the amendment, voiced Assem-
blyman Powers, and there was another
long pause. The chairman was about to
call for a vote when AEsemblyman Simp-
son moved as a substitute that 'the dele
cation indorse the candidacy of Andrew
r. B-reidenbach."
Second the substitute came from As
semblymam Jones, and then h discussion
opened.
Simpson, Jones and Hogan argued that
Breidenbach had proved am efficient off,
Ger, n that he was entitledeto a renom-
nation. Porter and Powers urged the
lain Of Benedict for recognition, and
Powers said it would be contrary to the
expressed sentiment of a asst majority of
the votersso Of the county to select Breiden-
bach.
their plea for Harrison and it finally be-
came apparent thaht NO choice could be
made. 1t was argued hat the three cam
didates had made q vigorous canvass and
that the best thing to do was to instruct
the chairman to present the three to the
general caucus
Assemblyman Jones offered thai as a.
motion, but 1t only received five votes and
the matter was dropped
Assemblyman Sueddig, at this juncttre,
said he had been informed that Essex
could have the position of Assistant En-
crossing Clerk and he moved the indorse-
ment Of Theodore Gaddis for the place;
ito have q candidate for the position. said