The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-23
HFW
BEN LEE FOR GOVERNOR
The Ex-Supreme Court Clerk
Talked Of as the Dem
ocratic Candidate.
VOORHEES, STILL IN THE LEAD
He Seems to Have a Clear
Path for the Republi-
can Nomination.
Especial to rThe Jersey city News."l

~ - 7 ~
Voorhees," said a prominent member OF
the State Republican Committee the
other day, "and he will get 1t, too, unless
the other men who are mentioned as can-
didates bestir themselves The purveyor
OF this information is not friendly to Gov
ernor Voorhees, by any means; but, still.
at the same time, he would support him
in the event of his being regularly nomi-
mated. He said that Franklin Murphy
was doing nothing to advance his own
candidacy; that Judge Fortswas apparent
#ly Indifferent as to who would receive
the nomination. and that Congressman
Pitney was letting his boom AXE care Of
itself. In view of that situation. then,
he was constrained to believe that Cover
nor Voorhees, was away ahead in the
race.
voorhees,, no doubt, is a vote getter,"
added this committeeman. 1.-THE Cover
nor has many elements of strength not
possessed by other candidates, and he
will be nominated unless some man of the
calibre of Griggs arises in opposition"
1t cannot be gainsaid that Foster NJ.
Voorhees, is very popular with the masses
of his party, even If he is not in favor
with some of the leaders. He is the same
S%hiA0A \ OSASi y ~ IN VIII AAANSAo
him. and his elevation to the Governors
chair does not seem to have made any
difference at all in his personal relations,
nor has 1t disturbed his ~equanimity.
Remaining in camp with the soldier
boys ever since they have been called in
to service, and watching and caring for
their welfare, has added much to the Gov
ernor's popularity. Without ~epaulette
and gold lace surroundings the Governor
has shown much good sense in oversee
ing the general routine of camp life. He
is the first Governor of New Jersey to act
without a personal staff. Colonel Oliphant
is the only officer who helps the Cover
nor in his duties. AS COMMANDMENT
Chief of the State military forces the Cow
ernor has been acting in a very modest
and practical manner, and by doing away
with a personal retinue he has caused
quite an innovation at headquarters.
These characteristic alone form an ele-
ment of strength which has already
created an impression and which, no
doubt. viii be greatly remembered when
the Governors name is presented to the
State convention of his party.
1t is not to be supposed for a moment
that Governor Voorhees, is playing poll
LltS Ky LlS CCutS SC ne 10 PulSdlIlS q / lIt
State encampment. BY nature he is a
hustler and he never sleeps when he has
business to transact. While serving as
q State Senator and as an Assemblyrnan
he made a record for industry seldom
equalIed. Since he has been Governor he
has emphasized thai record, and it seems
he could not do otherwise if he tried. To
defeat him for the nomination for a full
term as Governor, then, it will require
the hardest kind of work on the part
of those leaders of his party with whom
he is not in favor. It looks as if the
against the field which will be composed
of Murphy. Fort and Pitney, and maybe
some dark horses. Perhaps Congressman
Gardner may be induced to shy his cas-
tor into the arena. and even if he does
it is not believed that he would hurt
Voorhees, much The Republican leaders
ton as to the nomination. Should they
conclude to make a fight against Voor-
hees there will be a red-hot time. Gen
eral Sewell is non-committa as to can
didates and the presumption is that he
will not take any active part in the nam
ing of a standard bearer for the great
fall campaign. The choice of the Repub-
lean State Convention will be his and as
a loyal Republican he will do all in his
power, as usual, to bring about a vic
tory. Perhaps when the leaders see that
the tide of public opinion bears upon its
quietly submit to his nomination.
Some Democrats believe that voorhees,
W WHdie aehno oVded his Sts0 a6ilit yai and in-
dustry, still they pretend to see some
weak spots in his personality. They say
the Republican politicians are not his
friends, and that in the event of his nom
ination they will not rally to his support
as they have done for candidates in for
mer campaigns. They entertain a sus-
knives up their sleeves, and that voor-
hees will be their victim. Then they be-
lieve that John Kean's candidacy for
United States Senator will cause compli-
cations which will cost Voorhees, many
votes-in fact, votes enough to insure his
defeat. All this they pretend to see, and
to the election of Foster M. Voorhees,
While the Republicans will not admit
it, yet there is a silent feeling among
some OF them that the Democrats viii
select a good candidate and hold a har-
monious convention. Democrats nova
days feel just as ~sanguine of success as
they did when their party was led by Alb
who never suffered defeat in a State
campaign. Republicans are not blowing
their horns as much as they did during
the last four years, and their leaders
generally show a reluctance to discuss
the situation. There is no prearranged
campaign the same as when John w.
Griggs was brought out for Governor.
There seems to be no laying of pipes on
tho part Of the Republican politicians.
Tho consequence of all this apparent
apathv is being allowed to drift toward
Voorhees. and that if he gets it he must
take care of his own campaign. 1t Is
true that the excitement over the war
may have something to do with the in
difference which seems to prevail.
Vet it must be borne In mind that steps
must be taken, despite the war, to have
a concentration of opinion and an inter-
change of views among the Republican
leaders as to a candidate and the policy
IN ha nnrsued in the campaign. the result
Of which will be of such Importance to all
concerned
IN the upper end of the State the
Democrats are wide awake, In the bis
counties of Essex and Hudson they are
busily engaged in making ante-eampaign
arrangements and they feel confident of
sweeping the deck of the enemy when
the time comes for action. Not only is
the Eubernatorial contest uppermost in
their thoughts. but they are also pros
pecting as to candidates for Congress
and the Legislature. Without a real good
fight in their own ranks the Democrats
OF Hudson never feel happy. While used
TO quarreling among themselves. yet they
nearly always bury the Ratchet when
they are brought face to face with the
common foe. The latest report from
that county is that Senator DAILY viii not
have plain sailing IN his ambition to go
to Congress-. His right to the nominal
ton is disputed by Allan l., MeDermott.
Senate Daily, 1t is believed, has given UP
all nope of being ted for Governor.
He believes tina the Congressional NOM
nation should come TO him. 1t seems GER
rain that the man who Will be ncInfnat red
Nv the Democrats will succeed Tom Me-