The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-11-10
A SPOILS SCRAMBLE
A Horde Of Hungry Repub-
1icanS Flock to Trenton
to Look After the
Offices.
WATKINS SLATED FOR SPEAKER
Essex Men As Usual Fighting
Among Themselves for Every
thing in sight-0rganiza-
tion Gossip.
WATKINS SLATED FOR SPEAKER
Especial 10 ..The Jersey city News.'l

Especial to The Jersey City News.''l
TRENTON, Nov. 10, 1897--It was ex-
pected that all the newly-elected Assem-
blymen, as we'll as the members of the
upper House of the New Jersey Legisla-
ture, would be at the State House yester-
day morning, but the expectation was not
realized.
Senators Reed. vreeland and Daily were
the only Senators on hand. There were a
few Assemblymen around, but the gather
ing lacke much activity.
Assemblyman-elect Frank NJ. Weller
was the only Mercer county representa-
tive at the capitol, and he, being unac-
quainted. did not tarry long.
There was practically no gossip concern
ing the Senate organization. neither Sena-
tor Skirnn nor Senator Voorhees,, the two
| gentlemen whose names have been coup
| led with the position, being on hand.
Banking Commissioned William BEETLE
and others, who invariably know what is
going on concerning the organization. say
it is premature to discuss the selection of
officers at this time. At the same time,
Richard Reading. Colonel VIM. Potter.
Louis r. Derousse and others, who repre-
sent the powers that be. We're doing con-
siderable work. especially in reference to
the organization OF the House of Assem-
bly,. BY the time their labor was comp1et-
ed the knowing ones expressed a willing
ness to wager that the next Speaker
would be David o.. Watkins of Glouces-
ter. Their conclusion was based on the
division apparent in the Essex delegation.
Seven Essex Assemblymen were pres
emit and not one of them appeared able TO
tell the members from other sections what
Essex county desired in the way of Offices
,rn Da4sr anno,ncad bis cand;dac,, FOR
MI 1oftei ANs ~ -
Speaker and Assemblyman-eieet Schmidt
assured every one who asked the question
49, t,s.a, ,so,,1d 10 so,id for Porter Tho
that hsseA Will - so4u -
five others present-Ebie. Rau, tairchild,
Powers and Dawson-would not endorse
the statement of Schmidt. Some said
Porter might have a majority of the dele
CATION; Others that he could not count on
more than four votes and on the whole
they expressed the opinion that Watkins
would eventually secure the place.
About the ONLY office the Essex mem
bers appeared TO seek was that of ser
geant-at-arms, a position for which they,
had three candidates IN the ground.
George Powell of the Second ward. New
arb was on hand as the candidate Of
Maior Lentz for the position. David Har-
rison. who stood second in the race for
the place last year. was on hand also. and
secured more than one pledge Of support.
Daniel H. Hunt. who sought the position
in 1895 nut IN an appearance. not as a
candidate himself. but to pave the way
Of Essex. as Clerk Edward j. Reiss. who
served as of the House last
wear. came down to urge his claim for
either sergeant-at-arrns or assistant. An
drew j. Breidenbach and Assefnblyman
Jones of Essex were also present, but
not as candidates.
Members from other counties appeared
amused over the attitude of the Essex
delegation and remarked that it was the
same old story over ~agafn-Essex divided
AZ ainst ifself in Il wild scramble for every
thing in sight. with a rood prospect of
getting nothing. One of the visitors,
however. said that While that would be
the result if the delegation was left to
itself. a change would come before a de-
cision was arrived at and the solid vote
Of the county would be for Porter for
Speaker.
tive candidate for the Sneakership who
failed TO nut in an appearance. Assem-
blyman Gledhill was on hand early.
vote no will receive, but Seemingly con-
fdent Of success. Where the strength of
the Passaic candidate. or of Watkins.
of the members are pledged so lar. and
none appeared willing to pledge them
selves outside of a few Essex members.
who were willing to make i combination
/ Ia obtain some of the smaller offices.
ona If tba ,sosfad nolificians declared their
attitude simply showed their weakne
and the ease with which they could be
forced into line.
Former Assemblyman Derousse de-
clared thar he is nor q candidate for clerk
IF fha Ho5se For enerossing elerk of the
House two applicants were On hand-for-
mer A~ssembivrnan HOPKINS of Morris
and CHARLES n Folweu Of Rurlino+on
ny AssembIvm Duncan Of Essex
wants 70 he clerk Of the Honsa and tJamas
pa rker If passair who has heen clerk
+bro. va ,ror+. .no+ba, 49,, II 49,
three years. WdHlS dIlOtnef term. Tie mas