The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-22

The TERM XTENDER
Two Views of Governor
Griggs Defiance of
Public Opinion.
HIS BOOM FOR U. s. SENATOR
There May Be an Old Time Rally
in the Democratic Party
Next Year.
HIS BOOM FOB o.. s. SENATOR

Hpectal to tbs Jersey CITY Nstcx
TRENTON. March q, 1s97.-A good deal
has been said about the G~ubernatorial
campaign n Governor Griggs signed
the obnoxious Election bill last week. 1t
is certain that he took big chances and
left the Democrats an opening for a Fitz-
simmons blow that may bowl out the Re-
publican nominee, whoever that may be-
That Election bill was the one piece of
partisan work which the people hoped
would be relegated to the background I'M
j der promises made by the Republicans in
the Griggs campaign. Now that the law
has been forced upon the-people of Essex
and Hudson counties, it is feared by some
of the more conservative among the Re
publicans that it was the mistake of the
Griggs administration, and that it will
cause inest:mable INJURY to the party in
the campaign next year.
sG~ubernatorial booms are already
s~prouting, and the Democrats are show
ing marked signs of activity. In the re-
cent rural elections they exhibited some
of their old time vigor, came out to the
polls, presented a solid front and voted
together as they had not voted since their
ignominieus rout IN "a and '95, and
gained numerous victories. Now, there
is a healthy sign in this. The old time
Democracy, which held its grip on the
Garden State for more than a genera
tion. may pull itself together, choose new
leaders and come before the people purged
OF contempt and get a new triad. Tt
possesses all the necessary material and
strength, and now the Republicans have
made an opportunity that cannot be
missed. The people of Hudson and Es-
sex counties VIII not readily forget the
work Of the Legislature.
The friends and advisers of Governor
Griggs. however, say that he has not
made a mistake: that he weighed the
matter carefully long before the election
bill passed either House: that he was
consulted before it was introduced. and
that if Major Lentz and Colonel Dick
inson had not been pretty nearly GER
tain that he would sign it they never
would have taken the tremendous risk
OF forcing it through both Houses. They
say that the Governor calculated all the
chances, and, being only human. with
an eye on the United States Senate, he
could only follow the suggestions of his
party leaders, who pointed out the value,
from a political standpoint, of a law
continuing the Republicans in W for
at least seven months and setting up
- NA0 AAS IAN VI ~ ia Ills RtckSs
national and municipal issues at the
polls as to make the dominant party
morally certain of a return to power in
city n county. If the Governor pos
sesses an ambition to go to the Senate
ne must ignore, in great measure, the
called the people" who have no voice
in the selection of Senators. He must
consult his party leaders and follow
their advice. even if he finds it neces-
sary to attach his signature to unpopular
measures or send in the lame of some
distasteful man as an appointee to Of
and the leaders set up the machinery.
Sometimes a man can defy them, but
that is usually in the case of a great
social revolution or upheaval, and doesn't
occur very often. The power of the Gnu
Gus is still dormant and nobody knows
1t better than John w. Griggs, who,
Whatever has been said of him, must be
credited with political sagacity. Per-
haps he knows hat he is about, but
that does not rob the people of the privi-
fege of their own
john Kean, the man who helped 50
materially to bring the Republicans inlo
power, is watching events at Trenton
with an eye en- the future. He has made
several trips to the Capitol during the
Legislative session and he has kept close
tag upon the work here. He was around
the corridors ON the might the Election
bill PASSED the Senate by its bare ma
Jorlty and he Deemed to be enjoying him
sefg very much indeed. Now, whether he
considers that Governor Griggs was
about ITO do something Ito help himself
out OF the Senatorial path or whether
hs Thought the approval of the act
meant added strength to the Griggs SEN
rs sure OF enc powerful factor In, his be-
hall. ard That is THE undying friendship
OF General Sewell, without whose sup
port no man can reasonably hope to land
either of the two big prizes which are
coming to somebody. Since the Gov
srnor chose Samuel H. Grey for Aftor-
ney General and William BEETLE for
Banking and Insurance Commissioner,
the belief that he and General Sewell
thoroughly understand each other has
become more deeply rounded in the
resistibly to the conclusion that some
plan Sor gufle future has been agreed upon.
rnis plan. it is generally believed; in
Just what, remains for future develop |
ment.
Some profess to know that Kean is to
bflat Grfggs is to go to the Senate. Others |
scout this idea and say that Kean will |
not be satisfied to accept such a situa-
ton; that he wants the Senatorship and
will not again go into the POPULATIONS of
q Gubernatorfaa campaign.
There are other element to be con-
ter N, Voorhees, is likely to be again a
candidate for the nomination for Cover
nor Then a boom has started for State
Loude1slager's name has been suggested.
and then there Is Judge J. Frank Fort to
pc considered; VOORHEES,. openly opposed
the Election bill ON the floor of the SEN
ate declaring h It was partasanship
Wnlcn the people would not tolerate. and
bees made it impossible for Kean to Sc
cure the nomination for Governor in
cation, and his subsequent reelection to |
the Senate looked very much like an I'M
Horsement Of him. If he continues as a |
Formidable way. There may be nothing
at allNan h Hancock or Loudenslager
hold the southern tiers of counties In line
Tor somebody else.
OF Judge Fort, 1t may be written that |
Re H saying nothing and saving WOOD