The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-10-27

Something very unusual occurred
when the delegates to the Republican
County Convention meet in Fleming
ton and il is worth while calling at
tention to ii, These delegates were
elected in towns and villages by their
friends and neighhors and they did
not see each other until they reached
Pennington, vet when they were asked,
one after another, who they favored
for Senator, each man said Charles n.
Reading.
Generally when large number of
men representing different sections
meet nj County Convention there
are different views about what should
he done and number of candidates
named or suggested, but this year
there was only one uame presented or
thought of in connection with the
nomination There must he good
reason for It. Such an event could not
happen by chance,
Charles n Reading is popular with
everybody. Not even his political
opponents can say truthfully word
against his character His family has
lived in this vicinity for generations
and has always been noted for public
spirit and enterprise. One of its earl
Ter members was Hon John Rending
who served one term rs Governor of
New Jersey, beginning in l15i Hon.
Charles n Reading was born in
Frenehtown, where he succeeded his
father ms n merchant. He has lived
in Hunterdon County all his life and
no man more thoroughly understands
whit the people of the county need.
His business has always been closely
connected with the farmers and has
grown we'll or i'll as the farmers have
prospered or suffered. He is not only
able to appreciate the needs of the
farmers but he has n direct personal
interest IN their success; not only in
the success of an individual farmer but
OF farmers generally.
Mr.. Reading has not only been n
successful business man, but his abil-
lty has been recognized and utilized
for public service More than IL doz-
en- Years ago his neighbors in French
town thought he would make II good
member of the Borough Council and
they elected him. They were sure of
ii after he Ind served one term nd
they elected him agnin In the spring
of 1856 he was chosen ns Mnyol of
FrenehteWn and re elected for II second
term, In 1891 he was elected Free
holder and served aeeeptably twoY
making It record which made him
known to everyone i'll the County. In
1893 when the Republicans were look
| ing for the most popular man they
could find to become their candidate
for the assembly, they selected Mr.
Reading. They made no mistake.
The people elected him and he served
in the session of 1894.
1t WAS during TINT session that Sem
tor Rogers, of Camden, then President
of the Senate, introduced bill to in.
crease the representation of Camden
Mt the expense of lIunterdon.
The bill was known MS Senate No
30 and II was strongly urged in til,
Republican caucus. Some of the lend
ers favored it because Camden always
elected Republican Assemblymen and
| Ilunterdon did not The influence
behind the bill was SO strong that it
was put through the Senate Hunter
| don County had no voice in the Senate
caucus, but when the bill was consid
cred in the House Caucus, IIunterdon
| had Reading there and he made Il
| strong fight against the bill. He was
| beaten and the bill passed the House
but Reading wns not discouraged. He
went TO the governor and made an
appeal which resulted in n veto mes
sage aud he worked night and day I'm.
| til he secured II majority of the House
caucus against the bill When the
Senators learned TINT the House emu
Gus had gone over to Readings side
they decided that il would be useless
to pass the bill and it was allowed tc
die in the Senate
If Hunterdon County had not had 4
Republican Assemblyman that year il
would now have but one Assemblyman
to elect, and if it had not had an act.
| i've, tireless worker who knew how to
work, the fight would have been made
| in vain
Mr.. Reading's Independence in op-
posing his party caucus successfully
was highly Appreciated by both Repub
| licans and Democrats in IInnterdon
and he was renominated and reelected
for a second term. His success in
opposing the caucns added to his
strength and to his reputation, giving
him unusual influence.
Mr. Readings business training and
the experience he acquired in public
affairs during bla service in the various
Offices he has been called to fill, have
qualified him III a peculiar manner to
| represent this county and especially
| when there is Republican majority
in the SENATE, and this is INSURED foi
several years to come. If Huntcrdon
should be represented by Democratic
Senator during the next three yeara,
it will have no voice in the caueus that
will control Legislation and it will not
be able 10 get anything that it needs.
Senator KuhI is man of ability,
but he served as one Of minority 81
small that it could not accomplish
anything, and another Democratic
senator, especially one Of much less
ability than he, will accomplish still
| less
| The temperance of ex- CoueFesgDau