The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-11-29
AFTER PORTER.
The Essex LeadertOpposed to
the Young Mans Speak
ership Aspirations.
EVERYTHING GOING WATKINS WAY.
Franklin Murphy Annou noes Him
self as a Candidate for Gov
ernor-Allan McDermott
for Senator.
EVERYTHING GOING Watkins WAY.
Especial to 1.-THE Jersey City News."l

are not careful. 1t is not that there Is
an acrimonious feeling existing between
the candidates for the office, because per-
sonally they are the best of friends, but
it is the bitter factional spirit which is
displayed in Essex county by the OPP
ponents of Mr.. Porter, which causes vex-
atious complications Major Carl Lentz
is cutting quite a figure in the contest
by the zeal he shows in doing every
thing in his power to defeat Mr.. Porter.
And he is assisted in his warfare by in
iuential members of his party in that
section of the State. The Major VIII
never forgive Mr.. Porter for his refusal
to support the Newark n Jersey City
Election bill of last winter. Although
Mr.. Porter ran ahead of his ticket at the
elections of this and last year, yet he
is not held in high esteem by the poll
ticians of his party. This is evidenced
by the failure of his friends to unite the
Essex delegation in his behalf. The out
look, therefore, is that Mr.. Watkins, OF
Gloucester, will be the Speaker of the
next House. Lik Mr.. Porter, he is in
every way qualified to act as presiding
officer. And it will be the first time in
the history of Gloucester county that the
Speakership will have been given to it.
Mr.. Watkins starts off with a united
vote from the nine lower counties of the
State, which counts fifteen altogether,
and that means more than half the bat
tie won. The other four votes he can
easily get from Union, Essex, Somerset,
Bergen and Passaic. With the unani-
nifty of his own section of the State be-
hind him Mr.. Watkins sees a clear road
to the goal of his ambition. With dis
sension in the ranks of his party in his
own county Mr.. Porter must a%pprehend
disaster to his candidacy.
The Essex Republicans are, indeed, in
a sorry pickle. They prefer, it seems,
to scoop in some of the smaller legis-
lative offices to the high and dignified
office of Speaker. The party organiza-
ton there is apparently under the con-
troll of one or two men who insist that
their will in all things must prevail.
Since the advent of the Republican party
to power in State affairs this has been
lican county of the State. And a like
condition will probably continue until the
party machine is smashed in pieces.
III ~ VI Nj L O4lSl q VII
tended all the way through that his ele-
walton to the Speakership would place
the party in Essex in good hghIlng trim
for next year. On the other hand, those
who oppose his candidacy assert that it
would be better for the party's interests
to give Essex several of the smaller
offices, SO hat the workers may DE recog-
nized and encouraged in future political
contests. Anyhow, no matter which way
the Speakership question is decided, the
result Is sure to produce heartburnings
among the rank and file OF the premier
Republican county. That is What the
Democrats hope for, and they are likely
to be gratifed.
The old truism, now more than ever be-
fore. impresses the political prophet that
as Essex goes so goes the State. Should
the Essex Assembly delegation be cap
tured by the Democrats next year then
all hope will have fed for the election of
a Republican United States Senator. Are
Major Carl Lentz and the Essex factions
paving the way for a Democratic victory?
1t looks SO according. to the lenses used
y Reppp %Pblllitisnl majority nsfoTj T Of o psepcs o,o5o IN n lbs fas
for Republican Assemblymen in Essex TO
less than 1000 at the recent election looks
be wiped out entirely next year?
fractional chickering's not only affect the
Republicans. in Essex county, but also in
p = M Snddl dsSf,al B=u srninsa ,t and m n5,at
fall" should be a warning to the
dominant party.
The outlook now is that Assemblyman
Watkins will win easily, and that Assem-
blyman Gledhill will be the leader of he
House. He has marked ability for that.
There Is no opposition as yet against
to be the President of the Senate.
Ex-Judge Cross, who was Speaker of
the House, three years ago. is a candi-
ty. Ex-senator Benjamin Vail Of Rah-
way, and N. c. J. English of Elizabeth
are aspirants for the same honor. Cow
ernor Griggs will make the appointment
during the coming season of the Legisla-
The latest report is that Franklin Muir
ply has announced himself as a full
Since the driving of the Democratic
party from power Mr.. Murphy. as Chair
man of the Republican State Committee,
and it is there yet. He is a gentleman of
high character, wealth and influence. His
shattered health has been mended and
now he is ready for the fray.
Mr.. Murphy is undoubtedly very popu-
lar at his own home in Essex county, or
else he would not enter the G~ubernatorial
arena. Is his magnetism strong enough
there to ave him throw oil on the
troubled waters caused by the interneeine
warfare in his own party? The soft hand
coneilfafe factions. Should Mr.. Murphy ~
successfully demonstrate his influence in
that regard, then, perhaps, he could
march at the head Of a solid delegation to
tiiS ~ hOAl
At the recent election Mr.. James
Smiths deft hand made a strong i'm
preston. His dexterity was In evidence,
and it will probably be more SO next
year when the great battle is to be
fought. The Republicans are acquainted
with Mr.. Smiths fighting qualities by
this time, and Mr.. Murphy, it is pre-
sumed, is in touch with the situation.
The candidacy Of Congressman Mahlon
Pitney for Governor seems to be on the
wane. Some of the leaders fear that he
as he is in his own Congressional district,
and tina perhaps 1t would be better to
lave him seek a reelection to Congress
than to run for Governor. Has the dis
tribution of the own and village post
offices killed Mr.. Pitney's G~ubernatorial
A serious consideration presents itself
in the candidacy of Franklin Murphy
for Governor and John Kean for United
States Senator in the fact that both are
mfllionaires, Whether one is the archi-
feet OF his own fortunes. such as Mr..
much OF his wealth. and added to 1t by
test of his own fortune. such as Mr..
KeanN has, should not create an impress
sion OF u~npopularity. But all the same
a prejudice does exist against such men
when they run for high offices. Since
several years ago millionaire candidates
for public S17ce in New Jersey have not
There are hundreds who are diligently
making inquiry as to the man most likely
to wear the Senatorial tega SHOULD It be
general echo is Allan L. McDermett. It
| would nave to be he, because he carries
Iii his vest pocket the caucus nomination
given him unanimously by Democrats