The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-05

THAT ATTACK ON WATKINS
If CliHord's Lawyers Are
Right Chaos Would Exist
in the State.
ALL WATCHING THE COURT
Leon Albeit to Take a Con-
spicuous Part in the Com
ing Legislature.
Especial to The Jersey city News."1

Especial to 1.-THE Jersey City News."1
TRENTON, Dec. 4, 1S9S.-The attack
which has just been made before the SUI
preme Court upon the rights Of Speaker
David Q. Watkins to perform the duties OF
Governor, while it has caused discussion
in political circles. is not taken seriously
by people who are well informed upon
the legal principles governing the situa-
ton. The action of the present Governor
in signing a new death warrant for Cliff
ford, the Weehawken murderer, is OBJ
jeeted to on the grounds that Foster M.
Voorhees, and not David O.. Watkins now
fills the office. The Supreme Court will
soon decide the question, and no matter
which side is favored an appeal, no doubt,
will be taken to the Court of Errors and
Appeals, Thus. while the legal contro-
versy would be prolonged, the term of
the present Governor will have expired,
and the new executive will have been
indicted into office. No one believes. even
for a moment, that -Governor-elect Voor-
hees can be prevented from taking the
cath of office on the third Tuesday in
Januory next. About the only effect that
these legal proceedings will have is to
prolong the life of Clifford for three
months or so. That is the prevailing
opinion at any rate. To upset the title
of the present Governor and to make
nugatory that of Governor Voorhees, after
he assumes the duties of the office
would be a serious Undertaking on the
part of the courts, as it would lead to
confusion and chaos of a most deplora-
BILE character. The courts in cases CT this
magnitude never run such risks. and it
is safe to predict, therefore. that the eff
fort made by Clifford's lawyer will not
amount to anything.
The Republican leaders. when they
mapped out the programme for VOORHEES,
resignation as State Senator, and for the
induction into office as Governor of Speak
err Watkins. were guided by the best legal
advice in the matter. Attorney General
Grey, who is a constitutional lawyer Oh
very high repute. is positive in his opinion
that the course pursued is legal in all its
features. Of course. some of the Demo-
cratic leaders are anxious to find flaws
in the titles of both Governors, SO that
they might profit by them by having in
talled in Office their own candidate for
Governor, Elyin w. Crane. who was de-
feated at the polls. If they believe they
have a good case for adjudication by the
courts they cannot be blamed for at
tempting to set matters right. Under SIM
liar circumstances the Republicans would
Go the same thing. However, as there are
weighty questions involved. the lawyers
and the courts must settle the matter,
and in the meantime the machinery of
the State administration will revolve just
the same as if no controversy existed.
TO be President Of the Senate is an
honor of much distinction. 1t is the secs
ond highest office in the State, and in case
OF the death. resignation or disability Of
Governor the incumbent steps INTO the
vacancy. as has been demonstrated during
the present year. The banner Republican
county of the State, Essex, now claims
that office for various reasons. It says
1t saved the Republican party from defeat
at the recent election. Had the Demo-
Gratis carried that county there would not
now be a Republican Governor-elect and
the next United States Senator would be
James Smith instead of John kean.
Franklin Murphy, who has served rs
Chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee for the last five or six years, dur
ing which period phenomenal Republican
victories nave been achieved, is arsing
the election of Senator KetchaIn as Presi-
dent OF the Senate. He has written TO
all the Republican Senators in his behalf.
and lays stress on his claim that the good
work done by Essex for the party should
now be recognized by giving it the Office
it seeks. General Sewell says if he were
a member of the Senate he would vote
for Mr.. Kctcham. Further than express
ing his choice for the office, he says he
will not take any part in the contest.
1t is also urged in behalf of Essex
county tina it has not had the office of
President of the Senate since 1887, when
it was occupied by Frederick S. Fish. it
has the Secretaryship Of the Senate only
twice in 50 years. Not since 1881 has q
Republican from Essex been Speaker Of
the House, when Harrison Van Duyne
filed that Office. These and other argu-
ments are made in support Of the claim
of Essex county, and it would seem that
they are of sufficient weight to place aIr.
Ketcham in the chair.
While Mr.. Keteham's ability to pre-
side over the Senate is not disputed, yet
it is a fact that he is not nearly 50 popu-
lar with the member of the Senate IS
either Mr.. johnson of Bergen, or MIR.
Reed Of Somerset. Those Senator'S are
in the race to stay until the caucus makes
its decision. Senator Francis said the
other day that very likely the three can
didates would soon hold a conference. so
that they might arrive at some amicable
understanding. He believes that Mr..
Reed will receive the caucus nomination.
The eight Republican Senators from the
First and Second Congressional districts
form a majority Of the caucus. and,