The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-06

county who was recently in the national
capital and called on President Mckinley
Swho cordially received him.
The President was informed by Mr..
Dusenberry that he was one of the
Federal offieeholders that had been de-
added that his successor in the Ap-
praisers office, referring to former Con-
gressman J. Hart Brewer was every
sway worthy. of the appointment. This
pleased the President and he said
do you Democrats in New Jersey
think that you are going to send Sena-
tor Smith back?'
Eyes sir. we are was Mr.. Dusen-
'.We'lI see about that when the time
comes,' answered the President without
even the suggestion of smile.
Franklin Murphy has come out as a
candidate for Governor providing he can
control the delegation from Essex. This
does not mean that he lacks friends or
has lost any of his popularity, but that
Essex Republicans are getting well
Fort, Alfred w. Skinner and Franklin
Murphy for Governor, Elish B.. Gaddis
and John w. Dryden for United States
Senator, and Major Carl Lentz for Prose-
cutor, there will be a warm time in
Essex for the next year.
Nobody will deny but that Mr.. MUIR
phys valuable services to the party
should be recognized, but many think
that he should not be a candidate un-
less all the obstacles that have been
in his way in past years are removed.
There has been a revival of the agita-
ton for a State Constitutional Conven-
ton to change the Senatorial representa-
ton in the State Legislature, SO that
population not area shall be the basis OF
the representation.
This has been agitated regularly for
some years and the problem is no nearer
solution than it was before. The opIn-
ions of legislators and statesmen have
ing shows itself in all the opinions that
are offered. The Democrats and he
publicans of the smaller counties are
unanimous against changing the basis
from county to district preferring that
small counties like Cape May, Ocean,
Hunterdon, Sussex and Morris should
have an equal voice in the upper house,
with Essex, Hudson, Union ana PaSSalc.
The Democrats and the Republicans OF
the first and second-class counties think
it is outrageous that Essex county, with
upward of 2126O0 population, should be
limited to the same Senatorial represen-
tation as Cape May, which has but 1850.
1t is the old sectional fight OF upper
against lower New Jersey.
The actual poll of the Legislature shows
that smaller counties hold the key to the
situation and win not let go of 1t.
The New Jersey delegation to Congress
are all in Washington. There is no legis-
lation of any essential Importance to the
State during the short session. There is
hanging over from the long session con-
siderable minor business that was crowd
ed out by the discussion of the Din2iey
tariff bill.
There are a number of places in South
Jersey that need surveying, with view
of ascertaining facts on which to base
an appropriation for improvements un-
der the river and harbor Improvement
act There are number of post Office
appointments that are getting ripe, when
viii keep the Congressman on the move.
Congressman McEwap is going to fight
fo, at
City and is much interested in getting
a bill passed that Will restrain corpora
tions from issuing bonds beyond the
value of property owned by them. He
also wants passed the resolution for the
appointment of committee to consider
the feasibility of applying the principle
of direct legislation to national legisla-
ton.
Congressman Fowler, of the Eighth
district, is going to make desperate
effort to get the House to pass his cur
he is going to be successful, because OF
the tendency of the Administration to-
ward currency reform. Nearly all the
eight Congressmen from New Jersey are
going to help him on that measure.
The term of Bayard Stockton, the Prose
cutor of the Pleas for Mercer county, will
expire during the term of the incoming
Legislature, and there is now an interest
ing fight on in Mercer county among
prominent Republicans for his shoes,
when he must cast them off. There are
q half-dOzen CanQIuaIeS, all worthy men.
The principal fight is between Police JUS
tice William j. Crossman and his former
precersor in law and politics, former Con-
gresham James. Buchanan, Rev. Fergus
A. Dennis of Princeton. former Assembly
man Barton B. Hutchinson, Carroll Rob
bins, president of the Board of Public In
struction, and Speaker George w. Mac
pherson.
The fight is really between Crossley and
Buchanan with the chances favoring the
latter He has served with much success
in Congress, and while there his law prac-
Judge Of Mercer county and made an ex-
eeedingly good Judge. He stands well
with the Governor, whose cause he has
most fervently championed.
Police Justice Crossley is considered
too young, and it is also argued that he
has had considerable recognition con-
sidering his short plunge in politics. The
Governor has not vet asked the opinion
OF the Mercer county leaders on the sub
iect.