Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-08-26
oRlccs, HUMILIATION.

withdrawing from the fight had been pre-
pared and type-written copies were given
to the reporters. The interview was given
out by the Secretary of State Wurts, who
is the Governors personal friend and to a
large extent his political adviser. 1t read
THE PREPARED INTERVIEW
at has been prevalent belief among the
people of New Jersey and especially those
who take an interest in political forecasts
that Governor Griggs was anxious to secure
the seat in the United States Senate now
occupied by James Smith, Jr. The choice
of a successor to Senator Smith will be
made by the Legislature which will meet
in January, 1899. Immediately at the close
of the Governors term. Nothing to JUS
tify such belief has eyer been said by the
Governor himself, as he has preserved an
attitude of silence on the subject. But the
transition from the Executive Chair to the
United States Senate seemed so natural
and in his case SO fitting and appropriate,
that even without his confirmation the
belief that he would desire to extend the
sphere of his public service to the Federal
Legislature has become very general.
Recently, however, rumors have been
current that the Governor has ex pressed q
different purpose and has stated to his
intimate friends that he cannot accept the
Senatorship and has asked his friends to
refrain from any special efforts in his
behalf for that Office.
sIn an interview which your correspon-
dent had to-day with Governor Griggs, the
Governor was asked if he had any obiec-
ton to stating his attitude in the matter.
He replied he was very willing that his
views should be publicly known. He said
he had never done or said anything to
Justify the current belief that he is can
dIdate for the Senatorship. While he has
no doubt that the Republicans will remain
in control of the State and be able to choose
a successor to Mr.. Smith, and although
many have expressed to him the fattering
hope that he would be that successor, yet
he is not candidate and cannot accept the
office. This is not because the place is not
attractive or to his taste, but simply
because he caanot afford it. As is well
known, Governor Griggs, although enjoying
a large law practice, has never engaged in
outside business and has not amassed a
fortune in his profession. He says it is
impossible for him to sacrifice his business
at the bar to live in Washington on $4,000
a year. 1t costs good deal. even in a
legitimate way, to be a candidate for a
Senatorial seat, and Mr.. Griggs declares
that he cannot without injustice to himself
and his family entail upon himself the
unnecessary expenditures connected with
such an Office. While he feels intensely
grateful for the proffered support of hosts
of friends, yet from personal reasons stated
above he wants to be understood as entirely
settled in his purpose not to be considered
in connection with this Office.
when his term as Governor expires, he
expects to resume the practice of his pro-
fession free from the disturbances of
political aspirations, but always ready to
give the Republican party, which now
contains SO manyformer political opponents,
his counsel and assistance whenever they
may be desired"
KEAN FORCES JUBILANT.
This seems to be most graceful way of
getting out of the race when defeat was
staring the Governor in the face. It is
joyful news to the henchmen of ex-Con-
gresssman John Kean of Elizabeth, who
has been an aggressive candidate for the
Senatorial toga now adjoining the head of
Senator Smith ever since Griggs was made
Governor
The United States Senatorial contest has
been absorbing all political interest in the
State for long time. Already the county
and state leaders are considering candidates
suitable for the six Senatorial contests and
the Assembly nominations.
Since John Kean and John W. Griggs
have been mentioned as rival aspirants for
the seat all eyes have been on General
Sewell, watching for something from the
Camden boss. The Governor had acceded
to the demands of SeweIl in the matter of
executive appointments and it was the
belief that he did SO, hoping that Sewell
would in turn help to make him his col
league in the Federal Senate.
TURNED DOWN BY sEwELL.
But the astute general had other
political fish to fry. Already he was
pledged to Kean. 1t is said that when the
Governor recently went to see him and
unbosomed himself, asking direct for sup
port, the "boss" told him that his case was
hopeless. A warm personal friend of the
Governors who has always had easy access
to Senator SewelI's ear, also, it is said,
called to plead the Governors case, but the
Senator was loyal in his devotion to John
Kean.
Secretary of State Wurts yesterday sup
plemented the official interview by author
zing on his own account denial of the
story that Griggs called ON Sewell for
support.
Persons who are close to General Sewell
and who are high in the councils of the
party as Sewell's lieutenants, insist, how
ever, that the story of the Governor going
to Sewell is true. They tell with good
deal of detail what took place between the
two. They say that Sewell said he could
not support the Governor because of his
friendship for Kean. whom Griggs defeated
for the gubernatorial nomination two years
ago They also tell with glee that the
Governor reminded Sewell of the Difference
that was paid to the Senator's recommends
tions in the matter of executive appoint
ments last year and the Camden leaders
attention was particularly called to the
turning down of Senator Stokes and the
appointment of William BEETLE as Bank
and Insurance Commissioner. According
to the same authorities the chilling
response to the Governor was "Well, you
could not have appointed better man."
HIS HUMILIATION TO sEwELL.
Whether the Governor ever was a candi-
date for the United States Senatorship land
it will be pretty difficult to make most
people believe he was not) he no doubt
realizes now that his course last winter in
surrenderiDg to the SewelI influences has
done him endless personal harm, besides
forfeiting the respect of SO many of his
firmest supporters when he ran for Gov
ernor. He turned down Senator Stokes,
who had done much to make the Governors
nomination possible and who was known
to be clean and inclined to be independent
of Sewell's domination, simply because
Stwell wanted it done. He appointed Bet
tie against a mighty protest to please
Sewell He interfered to defeat the Voor-
hees judiciary amendments, which "Dick''
Reading and the other SewelI agents were
fighting, because the "old man" did not
want them and even J. Frank Fort, who
more than any one else nominated the
Governor, was denied the Attorney-G Gene
ralship upon which he had set his heart,
and had to be content with county Judge
ship because the Camden boss preferred
some one else. He appointed Armstrong OF
Camen judge in the face Of popular pro-
test, to get the Camden State Senator's vote