The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-11-17
SPwEAKERSHIP FIGHT
Politicians Gather at the
State House and Dis
cuss the Situation.
WATKINS NOW IN THE LEAD
Foster Voorhees, to Preside Over the
Senate -Some New Measures
10 Re Introduced.
WATKINS NOW In THE LEAD
Especial to 1.-THE Jersey city News."l

TSpecial 10 1.-The Jersey City News.
TRENTON, Nov. II, 1seI.-There was a
small gathering of politicians at the state
House yesterday. but the outcome OF the
day. did not develop any very nsaterlal
changes in the political situation as re-
CARDS The probable organization OF the
next Legislature. The Governor was on
hand. and. as usual when the political
forces gather, he had a large number OF
visitors.
Probably the most interesting feature
of the day was the status of the contest
that is being waged to secure the
Speakership of the House. All three OF.
The outspoken candidates, Assempiymen
George w. w. Porter, OF ESSEX, lava
O.. Watkins. of Gloucester, ana HenIg
w. Gledhill, of Passaic, were on mana
bright and early. The three met IN the
corridor and had quite a long and 1rienoiy
chat together.
that A-ssemblyman Porter's chances OF
success looked a little brighter tnan last
week, and in some quarters it was ven
thought that he is even practlcaily GER
tain to be the next Speaker.
The reason for this feeling was a re-
port that gained currency early IN the
CATION had practically decided to give
their undivided support to MI Portst.
This report was denied later IN the
day, however, by some OF the EsssA
members themselves. and then the Ieel-
ing began TO grow that perhaps MT.
Porter'S chances We're not SO rosy AFTER
all. Nevertheless, some of ms support
ers claimed that Mr.. Porter can get the
Speakership even without being the unan-
imous choice of his own delegation. Inc
Essex members will hold another caucus
on Thursday, when they viii again Try
to come to some agreement.
Mr.. Watkins was in excellent spirlts
yesterday, and he ~laughingly told ms
friends that he had the unanimous sup
port of his delegation pledged ana tnere
was no dissenting member. Mr. Watkins
is the only member from his county,
Mr.. Gledhill still maintains that ne Is
in the contest to- stay, allhougn nnHt z
entirely between MesSrs. Porter ana wax
Kins. Failing to land in the speaker $
chair. Mr.. Gfedhiil will naturally come II
selection OF a leader on the floor of the
House h had he not been a candidate
for Speaker, and it is not improbable thal
his will be the result of his candldacys
tor Foster NJ. Voorhees, will be he next
President Of the Senate In faci; mons
of the other candidates first taxed OF
We're on hand yesterday, and nothing was
heard of any opposition TO the Union
county Senator. -
a new candidate for. Sergeant-at-Arms
of the House appeared yesterday in the
Derson of John R. -F'layel, Secretary OF
the Republican County Committee OF
Essex. George POke1 ana II. D. Ildilisoi
are still after the same place. -,
There. are two candidates in the nelo
for Engrossing Clerk ofethe House. They
observation-disclosures G. P. Hopkins OF
Morris and c.. II. Folwell of Burlington
Both, ave a host of friends, and 1t is
difficult to say which has the better
chances of success.
Carl Weidei of this city is one of the
most likely candidates for Assistant Ser
geant-at-&rms CT the House.
1t is said that Asserablyman Dononue
of Passaic. representing the Central La
Dor Union, will Introduce a bill TO anend
the present factory law by doing away
@Fitn the present custom of withholding
mree days TACK pay from employees. who
leave without giving a certain notlf1ca-
ton. The lahorers claim that in one eS-
adjustment alone SO, 600 was withheld in
this way.
A fight is also anticipated. which will be
brought up by an effort of the southern
counties, and particularly in the glass
districts. TO do away with the system of
store orders and punch books now in
Under this system employees are
compelled to purchase all their supplies
at a general store operated by their en-
ployers. the value of the goods purchased
being deducted from the wages of the
men. This system, it is said, has caused
dissatisfaction in some districts.
1t is limited that among the most impor-
tant subjects in anticipation for prospec-
tive legislation are equal taxation, the
abolition of grade crossings, the protec-
ton of the Palisades and a change in the
school age of children. -