The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-15
TILT IN THE CAUCUS.
Republican Assemblymen
Fight Over Admission
Of Newspaper Men.
WATKINS WILL Be SPEAKER
Joint Caucus for Nomination
Of United States Candidate
Fixed for January 10.
ATKINS WILL Be SPEAKER
[speeiaI to '.The Jersey clty Newa.,.l

Especial to ''The Jersey City News''1
TRENTON. Dec. Is, 1S9S.-The Repub1i-
can AssembIymen and Acknowledgements
started off today with lively tilt in their
caucus over the admission of newspaper
correspondents to that august body. 1t
has never been the custom to allow the
press to be represented at a Republican
Assembly caucus, but Acting Governor
Watkins and Assemblymen Guenther OF
Essex were of the opinion that the peo-
pie should know what was going on, SO
they suggested that the scribes be aI<
lowed to remain.
Assemblyman Roger Franklin Murray
of Plainfield was very indignant, and said
the newspapers ought not to have every
word that was said in the caucus.
Who ever heard of reporters being
allowed in Republican camcus?'s said
Assembyman Sturr of Passaic in. gruH
voice
Acting Governor Watkins thought thai
the Republican Assemblymen should do
nothing in caucus that they would be
ashamed of. The motion to admit the
correspondents was carried by a vote OF
80 to 6.
Assemblyman Squire. Of Union, called
the caucus to order and when he asked
for nominations for chairman, which car
ries with it the leadership of the floor
Of the House, Murray made a rambling
speech in which he repeatedly told how
he had looked over the timber and fin
ally closed by naming Watkins for leader
Murray had been leaving no stone un-
turned to defeat Watkins for the Speak
ership. but his efforts failed
Watkins declined the honor and AS
semblyman Wood Mckee, of Passaic. was
unanimously chosen Acting Governor
Watkins was then chosen as the caucus
nominee for Speaker.
Mr. Squire presented a resolution fixing
January 10, the Republican Senators con-
curing. for a joint caucus to select a
candidate for the United States Senator
The resolution was adopted. He present.
ed another resolution proving that the
offices. above doorkeepers and pages be
given to the counties which had them last
year. This viii be carried by a close
vote.
There is a split in Cumberland over the
bill elerkship, Assemblyman Shropshire
favoring the reelection of Mr.. Loppy,
and Assemblyman Steelman favoring a
new man. Otherwise the officers of the
House will be the same as last year.
The Republican Assemblymen proved
that their so-called reform was only
moekery by creating a position of clerk
to the Committee on Corporations. thuS
providing a soft berth for some ward
worker.
The caucus took a recess shortly after
one O'Clock, and when 1t reconyeneos
shortly before two o'clock, special COM
mittee reported the appointment of pages
and doorkeepers, and the question OF the
selection of a bill clerk was taken up
in order that the difficulty in Cunber-
land county might be ended.
Cumberland placed in nomination Its
two candidates and Essex named Geo.
Powell for the place, and Passaic named
Charles Lyle. After several ballots Pow
ell was elected, leaving Cumberland
county with only a page An attempt
was made to have the report of the
Committee on Pages and Doorkeepers re-
considered, as Cumberland had but ln6
one page but this was defeated. Th9
caucus adjourned TO meet at the Winds
sor Hotel, Monday evening, January =