The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-07-19
GARDNER LOOMS Up
His Little Boom for Cover
nor Launched OH the
Cold World.
LEADERS DIVIDE THE OFFICES
United States Senatorial for North
and the Gubernatorial Nom
ination for South Jersey.
LEADERS DIVIDE THE OFFICES

S03t64 ~ NAAA ~ \tAh
Govenor?' was a question III by a
prominent Republican politician a day or
two g lit is already conceded add
ed the leader, that the United States
Senatorship IS to SO the upper end OF
the State, and hat, in the event OF
Republican success, either John kean
or Governor Griggs will get the prize. 1t
would be d stroke of good politics, then,
to recognize the eyer-faithful army OF
Republicans in South Jersey by allow
ing them to name the candidate for GOV
ernor. Should an agreement like that be
reached. and it probably will, then the
nomination of John J. Gardner would
be the logical sequence" This is a South
Jerseyman's opinion, and, OF course, II
is naturally very friendly to Mr. Gard
ner. Should the Congressman become a
candidate there would be an interesting
struggle between him and Comptroller
Hancock in the event of his friends
pushing him for the nomination. Con-
gresham Pitney might also conclude
to become a factor in the contest.
Congressman Gardner is a Republican
war-horse. Twenty-one years 9 he be-
came a State Senator, and he served as
such for an unbroken period of fifteen
years. In 1892 he was elected to Con-
gress, and is now serving his third term.
He has been president of the Senate, and
during his career as a lawmaker has al
ways been prominent before the public.
He is quite an orator and a debater,
and as a Republican leader in his own
peculiar way, he has helped his party
to a large extent. Mr.. Gardner is a
-. f,;oa5 Af fopara1N Epwa1l and If
is well known that he has always been
a stout champion of railroad interests.
1t is this latter fact which might serious
ly initiate against Mr.. Gardner should
he permit the use of mis- name in con-
nection with the nomination.
After all it is not such a bad thing to
be a railroad man in New Jersey. Cen
eral Sewell has been one all his lifetime
and that fact has never injured his po-
litioal standing. He is the recognized
leader of his party now n has been
for a quarter of a century. He served
in the State Senate for three or tour
terms and he is now serving a second
term in the United States Senate HIS
ability as a politician, and not his skill
as a railroad mar has given him MS
present prominence. And the friends OF
MT. Gardner argue lIdl IA SAtSSSo
public life is due to a similar condition
of affairs. There is no doub as to Mr..
Gardner.s popularity in the southern end
of the State. If nominated for Governor
he would make an active campaign, as
he is a power on the musings. Al the
same time Comptroller Hancock and Con-
gresham Pitney are just as popular as
Mr.. Gardner. In these men the Repub-
lican party has good material from which
to select a G-ubernatorial candidate.
Another name mentioned in connection
with the Office is that of Judge John
Franklin Fort of Newark. Should Essex
county conclude to go into the contest the
candidacy of Judge Fort would cause
much enthusiasm. But it seems that the
upper end of the State cannot have the
two big offices. Either John Kean or
Governor Griggs will succeed Senator
Smith unless the Republican chickens are
counted before they are Matched. Then
South Jersey must get the Governor, and
the present situation indicates that the
Republican nominee will be either Comp
troller Hancock or Congressman Gardner.
Should Mr.. Hancock be chosen as the
Republican standard bearer 1t is suggest
ed here in Mercer that about the strongest
man the Democrats could name against
him would be Genera Donnelly. Right
here In Mercer cCunty there would be a
battle royal between these chieftains.
And, of course, the contest would be ex-
citing in every county of the State. Both
men are of high character and each has
a large personal following AS stump
orators their ability is about on a par.
Mr.. Hancock would doubtless ave the
united upport of his party, and, provid-
ed the gold Democrats did not kick, Gem
o~a1 - al.rl7 49, - Of h IL ~
an aggressive Democratic phalanx. Should
the Mckinley Democrats and the gold
suspects rally to the support of General
Dorlneliy, they, together with the great
army of silver men, would make the cam
paign very interesting.
If reports are true. the Essex county
family. There are dissensions among
to party interests. Two rival factions
have been in existence there for some
the other by DR.. Herold. So far they.
have always agreed to disagree on ques-i
tions of moment. A county clerk is toH
be elected there this fall, and also a Reg
Riker, the incumbent of the latter Of
flee, agreeing to take the office of clerk
of the Supreme Court, for which he was
nominated and confirmed last winter. It
is doubtful If Mr.. Riker. after all, will
accept that office. The salary is only
5000 and the responsibility is very great.
The position of Register of Deeds pays
SIS, 600 a year. The news comes from
Essex that Mr.. Riker is about the only
man whom the Republicans can elect to
that office. That berth is looked upon as
being quite g. help to the Republican
machine, and it would never do to have
the Democrats get control of it. Repub-
lican fractional fighting is SO intense that
it is almost impossible to bring about har-
mony or any man except Mr.. Riker. He
can be elected, and no other Republican
has the ghost of a show, according to re-
Is not likely to desert his friends and give
up a snug berth for the sake of filling a
State office which pays only $4,000, and
the duties of which might involve him in
a lot of financial trouble. A well known
Essex Republican politician is authority
for that statement.
The battle for the Republican nominal
tion for Senator in burlington county
goes merrily along. The principal con-
festantS are the same as when 1T was
first begun. Assemblyman Borton con-
tinues in the lead. Senator Parry has
Colonel Haines, name is still on the list.
A prominent Republican leader, in de-
scribing the situation recently, said:-"If
the convention was held tomorrow,
Josh Borton would be nominated with
out much trouble. While Senator Parry
parent that he Is far behind Mr.. Borton.
Colonel Haines is not exerting himself
to any marked extent. The politicians
are with Mr.. Borton, and that fact in
itself is worth one-half of the battle
The Federal appointments for New
Jersey are being made with a hardness
that IS not encouraging to the large host
Of patriots who seek recognition from the
Administration.
+. raA1r 49,