The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-28

STRUGGLE FOR PLACE
Republicans Still Fighting
for Lucrative offices
at Trenton:
DIsooRD AMONG ESSEX HEN
In the Scramble for Loaves and
Fishes Legislation Is
Brushed Aside.
DIsCORD AMONG ESSEX HEN

for berths in the gift of the Legislature
becomes more interesting every day. Es-
sex county seems to be in more trouble
over the spoils of Office than any other
county in the State. A day or two ago
the eleven Essex Assmblymen held a
caucus to see how matters stood. There
was no opposition shown to the candi-
dacy of ex-Assmblyman Charles B. Dun-
can for the clerkship of the House. and
the caucus unhesitatingly Endorsed him;
but when the office of sergeant-at-arms
was mentioned it was a signal for the re-
kindling of the old fractional spirit which
has been the pane of the dominant party
in Essex so far as ofices-seeking goes.
Three candidates for hat position were
presented. Andy Briedenbach, who
seeks a reelection, was championed by
the senior Assemblymen, Jones, Simpson
and Hogan; ex-Assemblyman Dave
Benedict was advocated by Assemblyman
Porter and four others, and David d..
Harrison received the votes Of the re-
naming members of the caucus. IMAM
unity on any one candidate being out OF
the question. the fortunes of all three
were consigned to the general caucus.
which viii be held the day the Legis-
lature meets. This disposition of the con-
troversy is a decided advantage to Brie-
denbach, who claims to have the neces-
sary support for success outside of Essex
county. Such a violent contest over an
office which pays only 800 seems almost
incredible.
The eighteen Republican Senators are
also in a}sea of trouble over the sergeant
alarms rf their body. At the present
time no one can truthfuliy predict who
will fllkfhat office. It is true that Dick
Start yer feels confident of success, and
50 Goes William S. Sharp. Some of the
wal be chosen. A new mana dark
hbrse-is more likely to scoop in the
Office. wall that man be Samuel T..
Atchley. of Ewing Township, Mercer
county? The ~Quidnuncs nod their heads
IN the affirmative when their opinion is
asked-provided, however, Mr.. Atchley
consents to be a candidate. The office
that being a fact the Trenton Republican
leaders will name the man. Senator
Skirm, Barker Gummere, Colonel Cham
bers and State Comptroller Hancock will
ave all to say about the office In that
event And this office, too, which is the
bugbear of the Senate, as well as the
House, only pays 500. The Senators will
day evening, before the meeting OF the
Legislature, when a slate for the organi-
cation of Senate will be perfected.
Office seekers are making an early raid
on the Governor for berths which will
become vacant during the Legislative ses-
sion. For the snug position on the
state Board of Assessors made vacant
by the resignation of Sheriff David
Baird there are numerous candidates. 1t
pays $500 a year for a term OF four
years, and has other attractions. The
work is light, the associations pleasant
any means The Governor says he Office
must go to South Jersey because the
other three members of the Board are
from the upper end of the State. Com
gresham harry Loudenslager, the
hustler. want Gus" Barber, Of Wood
bury, to get the place and from all in
dlcations he stands the best chance. Mr..
office he did not get and his success in
Washington in that line has been Just
as brilliant as In his own State of New
Jersey; Harry is a host IN himself
does not place Gus Barber in the
berth he seeks it will be his first fall
ure. Senator "Maury', Rogers, of Cam
hsH term srn Is viii not not an exn ass' ,n yet he because un.
Senate Is. organized) Is also q Candidate
for Statef Assessor.
He claims the vacancy should be filed
BY a Camden man and he is Just fitted
Tor the place. 1t is doubtful If his
guns are big enough to leave an impress
SION ON the appointing power. and, any
close touch with the big leaders of his
party whose recommendations in the
presen case would be a decided advan-
dage burlington presents two candi-
ton, and Amos Gibbs, chairman of the
Republican County Committee. One
Mouio tnink that Burlington. steady-go-
Ing N us Republican faith as 1t is and
mas been, Is entitled to some such recoe-
milton. 1t has no State Office now Of
any account Its sole representatives on