The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-01
FIXED UP BY WELL
The Senator Visits Trenton
and 1t Is Announced
That Watkins Will
Be Speaker.
MODEST DEMANDS OF ESSEX
-
C%ommendable But Futile Stand
Taken by New Membersl
Jones' Campaign for
the Clerkship.
Especial to THE Jersey city News."I

FAVOR OF MT. Watkins, OIL GlouceStsf, ~
early in the game and the seeming apathy
in the CIerkship contest has robbed the
preliminary organization of the Legisia-
ture of much of its interest. Neverthe-
less, the pursuit of the minor offices went
along as lively as ever yesterday, ana
there was a large number, mainly of11ce-
seekers, about the corridors of the state
House yesterday. The most prominent
parsonage among those who visited the
Capitol was General Sewell. OF course,
as usual, he was there simply to attend
a meeting of the State Board of Asses
sors. which, by the way. has a most ac-
commodating habit of meeting on Tues
days, when the corridors are filled with
legislators.
The Senator's arrival was evidently ex-
pected, for there happened to be a larger
gathering of politicians on hand than has
appeared on any Governors Day since the
November election. About forty Assem-
blymen and Assemblymen-elect were in
the gathering, and all interest appeared
centred en- the ~Speaksrship contest
The rumor went round that the Sena-
tor had appeared on the scene to settle
the fight, and credit was given to 1t
later when Assemblyman Watkins, of
Gloucester, was told by William BEETLE,
one of the Senator's lieutenants, that he
might as well go home, for, 1t had been
decreed that he was to be the Speaker.
Senator Sewell, Immediately after his
arrival, held another conference with
Governor Griggs, with whom he was clos
eted for a short time, and then he made
a tour of the main corridor. where the
politicians c~ongregate. 1t was the first
time in years for the General to make
such a move, and it was regarded with
significance.
Like every one else," he said, Il am
trying TO ascertain how the situation
stands as to the Speakership."
The knowing ones smiled, fully aware
as they were of the fact that Senator
Sewell did not have to come to Trenton
for political information, and the General
admitted later tina he knew a little
about it.
In reply to a direct question, he said the
Speaker would be either Porter. of Es-
sex, or Watkins, of Gloucester. Asked
which of the two was in the lead. the
General replied that If Porter could hold
his own in Essex he would win.
when Notwithstanding the fact that
eight of the members have pledged him
their support, five of the eleven have
since then given a written pledge to
Watkins?"
The Senator protested that he was TAX
ing no part in the contest whatever, but
from the way some OF the leaders who
looked when he went away, it seemed as
if he had.
Barker Gummere was one of them and
he spent most of his time protesting that
he had not said the Mercer delegation
was solid for Watkins. So did Comptrol-
Ter Hancock. but the, latter qualified his
remark with the statement that he
thought they were.
When Senator Sewell departed he left
orders behind and they were to the eff
feet that the organization of the House
should be disposed of today.
Accordingly there was a gathering of
the leaders in the office where Mr.. Bet
tie looks after the banking and insurance
affairs of the State. Messengers drop
ped in occasionally from down stairs to
tell what the several counties wanted.
mand of any but Essex, and when word
was brought that seven of the eleven
Essex men wanted Thomas H. Jones for
Clerk of the House, John R. Flavell for
Bill Clerk, it created quite a stir. E. B.
Gaddis and DR.. H. c. H: Herold, who were
present at the caucus, declared that nine
tenths of the Republican voters of Essex
wanted Porter for Speaker.
Mr.. Watkins was called and he pro-
duced letters from FIVE Of the Essex
- NV Atdo ~ v L III
pledging him their support. Two others
who had voted for Porter and were pres
snt today said they, too, were willing
seemed doubtful.
That settled it so far as the leaders
were concerned and they agreed that
leader and Essex nave the Clerk, Bill
Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms.
The free exhibition of Essex nerve and
greed was not received with that salts
faction it was expected to meet with by
the Newark patriots who secured it. Much
dissatisfaction was expressed, especially
among the new members, and there were
many OF those expressions of Indignation
and independence so characteristic of the
new member. Mr.. Porter also repudiat-
ed the honors- thrust upon his county.
He declined most ~emphatically to accept
this result and when some of the dis
gusted new members came to him, pat
ted him on the back and told him that
they did not propose to let any leader
jam a slate down their threats and they
would stick to him through thick and
thin, Mr.. PORTER announced tina he was
still in the Speakership fight. Mr.. Porter
has been in State politics long enough to
know how free and independent and slate
repudiating the average Republican is
when his boss cracks his whip and points
out what he must do.
Major LentZ was not about yesterday.
He remained in Essex to tell people what
a big man he was and how he had sue
ceeded in downing Mr.. Porter because.
that gentleman had the temerity to MARI.
ry INTO a DemOcrallc family. Although
the Major, in his usual modest manner,
Is taking unto himself whatever glory
there may be in causing Mr.. Porter's de-
feat, those who know say he had MOTH
ing whatever to do with bringing about
that result.
Although the Major was absent, his Pc
culiar kind of warfare was carried on
by Bill" Chandler, the new clerk of the
Supreme Court. He went around among
the Essex members trying to show them
how much better it would be for Essex
= l-arra ~ n Epn that ni1 er,n1 -
gotiable dollars instead of the empty hon
or of Speakership. When Mr.. Watkins
is duly installed in the Speakers chair
the Major will stand behind that high
back seat and claim everything in sight
on the ground that he was the one who
made Mr.. Watkins Speaker But the
bright young lawyer from Woodbury.
knows i ting or two and is perfectly
acquainted With the gentlemen who have
third psasi in the State.
After lie conference Mr.. Bette said
the Hsht- VAS not settled, for ii Porter
could even now secure the united Essex
delegation. or held the eight votes he
had. he would be the next Speaker. He
added. however, thar 1T was not probable
that~Forter could hold his own.
Not one Republican Senator appeared
in the corridors; Why. 20 one could say,
didn't care to have the slate arranged
by themselves, with Senator Voorhees, for.
President changed by the interference of
the leaders.
Owing to the absence Of Senators there
was no talk of prospective legislation.
Senator Sewell himself said that while
ne had no idea whether the session would