New-York tribune., 1896-01-13

Senate organization slate has already been
settled.
The speakership fight between Alfred F.
Skinner and Louis T. Derousse Is one Of the
nrettest in Legislative annals. Instead of the
usual spectacle of three. four. or half a dozen
candidates being in the field. the contest has
been from the outset between Messrs Skinner
and Derousse.
The situation now. within few hours of the
matter being determined finally. stands thus
Mr. Skinner has pledged to him twenty-five
votes. That number and not one less is neces-
sary TO get the nomination. Mr. Derousse's
friends have booked twenty-five votes for him,
but in this number are confessedly four Of those
who are plghted to Skinner. To wn the De-
rousse men must get some Of the votes away
from Skinner. Can they do 1t? That question
cannot be answered until after the lamps have
been lighted tonight Mr. Derousse has some
able and persuasive friends who could talk a
wooden horse into tears. But Mr. Skinner as
serts that his warriors are proof against any
thing and everything. He says that they will
stand by him through thick and thin.
Perhaps Mr.. Skinner may be mistaken in the
calibre Of some of the promisers Before now
politicians have been known 10 pass their word
and then wheel about when it seemed to their
interest TO do So AS a rule they don't care
10 do this barefacedly. If the skinner men
really believe that there is any danger of losing
q man or two. they may insist on an open
ballot in the caucus.
The caucus will be called to order by one of
the old members. and the frs: thing 10 be done
is the election Of a chairman The Derousse
men will put forward James Robertson and the
Skinner men are likely to vote for Edward w
Hicks though Mr. Hicks isn't particularly
anxious for the honor and he may give way
to some else. The caucus charmanship
carries with it the leadership of the House, and
the vote for chairman will be taken as fore
shadowing the result Of the Speakership con-
test
The three Mercer members are supporting
Derousse on condition. it is said. that "Yon
Hunt shall be made engrcssing clerk. The
Skinner men have promised the office to Lysan-
der Watson, but that is contingent upon Messrs
Snyder and Francis voting for Skinner. De-
rousses lieutenants have both men in their list
OF supporters.
Morris Countys two new members Charles
r. Hopkins and Joseph B. Rghter. have played
such smart game Of politics as TO astonish
the veteran politicians. Morris is supposed TO
be a rural district, where the boys don't learn
the game Of politics rapidly. but that notion
Will have to be abandoned when this story Of
the tactics Of Messrs. Hopkins and RICHTER goes
over the State
Both Of the Morris members decided that
above all things they wanted TO have Samuel
s. Lyon made assistant clerk. Probably they
had heard of that old Scotch warning against
carrying all your eggs TO market in one basket
At any rate they decided upon novel and
Irresistible plan Of campaign.
"Tll vote for Derousse II you'll promise the
clerkship to Lyon" Mr. Hopkins said to the
South Jersey mans friends.
"In vote for Skinner If you'll agree to give
Lyon this clerkshp" Mr. RICHTER said to the
champions of Essex's favorite.
1t was stiff price. but under the circum-
stance It had to be conceded, and Mr. Lyon
eeems to be reasonably sure Of getting his
elerkship. no matter who is Speaker
There is really proof that the great cor
borations Of the State interfering in the
Speakershp. On the contrary, there are evil
dences that so far they have kept their hands
bn An Assembyman who is on the most
Sriendly terms with Garret A. Hobart asked
for his advice.
do as you please" said Mr.. Hobart.
Another Assembyman had reasons for not
wishing to displease General Sewell. Now,
Major E. j. Anderson has always been regarded
him this Assembyman went.
General Sewell isn't taking any part in it,"
was the answer "He looks upon this a per-
eonal ambition OF two men"
John Kean jr.. was asked for his opinion, and
he replied that he had no feeling in the matter
One way or another
One Of the first bills to be introduced and
passed will be one abolishng the lay judges
in the county courts To eliminate the lay elc-
Ynent in the Court Of Errors and Appeals 1t will
be necessary TO re-pass that Constitutional
Amendment and then have it adopted by the
people. BY this process the wooden" judges
Of the Common Pleas Court will pass into his
tory within three months, while the others have
all this year TO ag;ate upon their fate.
Here is an odd bit OF history about that
County Court bill which Judge Van Syckel
declared unconstitutional, and 1T IS vouched for
by a well-known politician. The bill was drawn
with the aid Of the best lawyers in the state
II was submitted to Judge Van Syckel ana aP-
proved by him after changes, when ne sus-
eested were made Until week be1ore lhat
decision was given he spoke approvingly or the
measure in all its aspects. This alleged change
of front was great surprise to all VINO Khe"
the facts.
Judge Van SyckeI mas absolutely no chance
OF being reappOintcd. Who his successor WIZ
be is. Of course. unknown. as Governor-e'ec'
Grggs keeps his own counsel. Among 'hose
whose names are being considered Is ex-Spcaker
Cross.
Colonel Congdon, Of Paterson, is said 70 DE
slated for General Bird W. Spencers place as
Inspector-Gene Of Rife Practice Ihe coiohe'
knows probably much as any man IN New
Jersey about the National Guard. lie Is al
excellent after-dinner speaker a leading rree
Maoop and q moving suirit In all benevolent