The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-08
GOVERNOR VOORHEES,
That's What They Called
the Union Senator In
the State House
Yesterday.
BETTER FIRST CATCH THE RABBIT
The Opposition in Congress TO Sec
rotary McKenna's appointment
AWakens Fears.
BETTER FIRST CATCH THE RABBIT
Especial to .The Jersey city News."l

than gathered yesterday. Many of them
scarcely knew why they came. but the
political kaleidoscope had taken a new
turn and they were all anxious to take a
look at the situation that has been Gre
ated by the new turn of things. If Gov
srnor Griggs had consented to lend his
hand and his ear to all who wanted to
use them he would probably be extend
ing the glad hand yet, but ne fed from
the deluge of well-wishers and curious
people who wanted to know how it all
happened.
The Governor added very little to what
had already been published concerning
the offer and the acceptance of the port
folio of law in the Mckinley Cabinet.
He says he will be the Governor. until he
is Installed as Attorney General, and 1t
is possible that he may make many ap-
pointments.
Senator Foster NJ. Voorhees,, who is to
be the acting Governor of the State in
case the programme is all carried out,
was on the scene, and was actually but
onholed by the oficeseekers, who be-
lieye in taking the prospective Cover
nor by the hand and demanding early
pledges.
Ten of the fourteen Republican Sena-
tors, as stated in these dispatches yester-
day, had a conference and agreed on the
selection of Senator VOORHEES, for Pres
ident of the Senate, which, unde the
circumstances, carries with 1t the Cover
norship when Governor Griggs %retires.
Beyond this no official action was taken,
u the gossip of the corridors developed
oe-x, frfA~a.<;p~ Faa+c
Senator Voorhees, and Governor rig
were together for considerable time,
with the ever Watchful Sam on guard at
the mahogany door. This conference was
change, because the situation had peen
discussed in another conference on Fri
day night in Washington, when VICE
President Hobart, General W. j. Seweli,
Governor Grigigs and Senator voorhees,
provided for all the contingencies that
the contemplated changes would bring
about.
There was more that took place at
the conference than those Who particl-
pated are willing to surrender Tor the
edi1cation of the puplc.
II was then agreed that Senator Voor-
hees was not to preside over the Senate
and be acting. Governor, but should MI
the ONCE of Governor only, and thai a
President of the Senate pro tenn. should
of the upper chamber. 1t is probable that
this honor will be thrust upon Senator
Ekirm.
Senator Voorhees, would not confirm
this information, because he has frmly
resolved to close up on the interviewers,
because the principal persons IN this
important political incident are very
much chagrined that SO much detall
should have become public and cause so
much discussion.
a tip had come from Washington to
shut off the twaddle and the gossip over
the situation, because the whole plan IS
contingent on Senatorial action and a
big IF" confront.5 those who are ma
nipnlating the scheme. A promlnent
State official who arrived under the gold
Tome when the crowds of Sossipers were
the thickest said:--
1t is very unfor tunate that this matter
should ave been made public, and L
were thinking when they let it be known,
because there is a possibility of the whole
thing falling through. There is OPPOSE
tion being made against the conf1rma-
tion of Attorney General Mckenna Tor
Supreme Court Justice.
The boom for Senator w. H Skirm, OF
Mercer, did not last the day out. 1t re-
ceivcd its death-Stab in Washington, from
which Mecca State Committeeman Bark
er Gummere and State Comptroller Han
cock and other Mercer leaders returned
yesterday mo rning very much out OF
sorts, because they were so magnificentiy
sat upon by both Vice President Hobart
and General SeWell
They wanted these leaders to help
them secure Inc ROBOT IOI OGudlOI III
They argued well for their candidate,
but the die had been cast and the whole
plan officially endorsed, and there was no
going behind the records. 1t was not
that enato Skirm was not worthy OF
the place, but he asserted himself too
late. The Republican leaders, Sewell and
Hobart, had made the best of an OPP
portunity to make a move on the pollf-
zeal chess board in New Jersey that
would be of an advantage to them and
move sorae other men into the harmony
row. They had, to their notion, planned
well and would not consider for a mo-
ment any scheme looking to a change OF
plans.
The understanding prevails that Sena-
tor Voorhees, short term will give him a
claim for the full term, and a few reasons
that a United States Senator and a Gov
ernor could not come from Union county,
but in the face of a recent precedent, the
majority that gathered here yesterday
said it was all moonshine. What's the
matter with Passaic?" was the chorus
Passaic has managed to have Cover
nor, Vioe-President of the United States,
President of the Senate, Secretary of
ofaces. They did not come as the result
of direct plotting, bu were reached by
sequences that came to a FOCUS at the
to happen in Union county. The friends
OF 0 Kean could not overcome this
argument.
the contest at the conference of the Sena-
tors held early in the afternoon. There
were present at the conference Senators
Hand of Cape May, Miller OF Salem, Hoff-
man of Atlantic, Johnson of Camden,
Stokes of Cumberland, Skirm of Mercer,
Reed of Somerset, Johnson of Bergen,
Voorhees, OF Union, and Vreeland Of Nor
ris.
The withdrawal of Senator Skirm left
nothing else for the Republican Sena-
tors to do but to indorse Senator Voor-
hees. The Senators did not go further
offciaIly, but incidentally discussed what
would be best to do hould it SO happen
that Senator Voorhees, would have to be
the Acting Governor.
They aid not take it up formally, for
they were warned that the emergency
had not yet arisen, and that 1t would be
time enough when the desired programme
had been carried out.
There is a strong feeling to make
Senator .Skirm President pro tenn. of the
Senate as soon as President-elect Voor-
department. A few are in favor of Sena-
tor Reed, of Somerset, while others think
tina Senator Hoffman, of Atlantic, is
entitled to some consideration because
he is serving the last year of his two
terms. 1t is quite possible that Presi-
dent Williams courtesy precedent may
be followed. Helm regular succession
maze every Senator the pro tenn. presid-
ing officer during the session of 1896. If
fhls course is followed it would mean
for each Senator three sittings as presid-
The organization of the House was in
cidentaliy discussed. . As a topic it was
overshadewed by the more important
talk on Senatorial and executive mat
tcre. There is no longer a fight for the
speakership. The honor is conceded to
- - De-rf1 ~ M nF