The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-11-23
K[TCHbNS LITTLE BOON. SPORTS AND SPORTSNEN
His Aspirations to Preside
Over the Senate Not
Taken Seriously.
Especial to "The Jersey city News.s'l

tSpec1al TO "Ihc Jersey Ilty -NenS' j
TRENTON, Nov. 20, 1s9s.-The new
member of the House OF Assembly who
gathered in the rotunda of the State
House today had the pleasure OF inspect
ing their seats. The Assembly chamber
has been renovated and is now ready
for the business of the next session.
Some of the members inspected the
chamber, sat at their desks and went
away happy.
Prominent among the group of law
makers on hand was Assenblyman Roger
Murray. of Union County, who came
down from Plainfield with an anti-Wat-
kins movement in his vest pocket.
He declares himself against Watkins
for Speaker, because he cannot reconcile
himself to the situation Of the Speaker
complications, but he failed to impress
on the other members who were here his
view Of the situation.
1t is understood that Murray would
willingly accept the Speakership, but
there is no evidence of any change of
programme. Mr.. Murray declares he
would not be leader, so beyond furnishing
a theme for gossip his opposition to
Watkins is ineffective.
In the matter of leadership Wood Nc
Kee, the heavy voiced statesman from
Passaic County, was here this morning
and declared that he is not a candidate
for that honor. Assemblyman Bell, of
Bergen, who was a member last year,
and Assemblyman Squire, who has served
as a menber from Union, are prominent
ly mentioned as prospective leaders, as
are also Assemblymen Murray and Brad
ley. of Camden.
Ex-Assemblyman Charles r. Hopkins,
of Morris County, who was assistant
clerk last year. was IN the ground to-
day to correct, as he said. wrong i'm
pressions that are being circulated about
him. He says he is a candidate for the
second year and that he is not the post
master Of Boenton. The present incum-
bent has over a year to serve before he
gets to the end of his term.
Senator George w. Ketcham. of Essex
County. who is prominently mentioned
for the presidency of the Senate, was
one of the four Senators here. The others
were Senators Francis. Of Monmouth
Feed, of Somerset, ana Stokes, of Cum
berland. Senator KetchaTn was asked
whether he was going TO make any eff
fort to secure the presidency, and he
said
yes. / have notified the Senator's that
| would like to be the president of the
Senate and have asked them for their
support. 1 feel that / am entitled to
it, because Essex County has twice sent
down a Republican delegation and has
prevented the House from being Demo-
cratic. / am in the sixth year of my
Senatorial term, and I am the only
Senator from Essex who has had six
years during a period Of thirty years.
1T is fourteen years since Essex Cou1-
ty has been honored with the presidency
of the Senate. 1t is an honor u county
wants in view Of the good fight that the
Republicans have been making for sew
eral years, and particularly the brill
liant fight of the recent campaign. ! was
a candidate last year and CAV way to
Senator Voorhees,.
Il understand thai both Senators john
son, of Bergen, and Reed, Of Somerset,
are also seeking the honor. They are
both good men, but / claim that Senator
Johnson, who is entering on his second
term, has still two years TO serve after
this session, while this is my last chance.
Senator Reed comes from a county that
only recently had the honor in the per-
son of Senator Lewis A. Thompson. who
was the President of the Senate two
years ago, and it is hardly Somerset's
turn so soon. l shall not push my claim,
but these are the facts on which I ask
support,
Franklin Murphy, the chairman of the
Republican State. Committee, as an ac-
tive Essex Republican, has sent a cir
cular letter to all the Senators asking
their support of Senator Ketcham for
President, on the grounds just stated,
only he emphasizes the good work that
the Essex Republicans did this year and
during previous campaigns.
1t is learned from reliable sources that
the Republican leaders lean more favor
ably to Senator Ketcham than to any
other Senator purely on the ground that
Essex County is deserving of some spe-
cial recognition for the work that was
lone this year in saving a Republican
United States Senator and Governor,
and the feeling now prevails that the
strong Johnson sentiment that seems to
prevail may be changed within the next
fortnight.
Hobart Tuttle, the private secretary
to the Governor, has resumed his conf
Dental relations with Vice-President
Hobart, his brother-in-law. He will con
tinue to serve as private secretary to the
Governor until the end Of the administra-
ton. He viii then devote all his time
to the confidential business of the Vice
President, which he did before he ac-
cepted the private s-ecretaryship of Tow
ernor Griggs.
The Executive chambers are now ready
for the upholsterer and will Ne ready for
occupancy by Governor Watkins next
Tuesday.
DAN nUEp A n