The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-11-30
SEN[lL FOR kTGHAu.
Nevertheless He Will Not
Attempt 70 Influence
Anyone to Vote
For Him.
SENATOR REED EASILY SATISFIED
If the Boss Had Not Declared
For the Essex Man He
Would Have Led.

Especial to 1.-THE Jersey City News
TRENTON. Nov. 80, 1S9S--In point OF
umbers the attendance Of politicians at
the State House yesterday was the smaii-
est on record for a Governors Day pc
tween election and the organization OF the
Legislature. What 1t lacked in numbers
was made up. in the Importance OF those
who are on hand. including Senator Sew
ell. who has long been regarded as the
final arbitrator in the settlement of such,
disputes as may arise among Republicans
in connection with the distribution Of such
patronage as is at the disposal OF the Leg
islature.
This year it so happens that the only
matter appertaining to the organization
which savors of a contest is the Presl-
dency of the senate. The appearance OF
Senator Sewell at such an early date YVES
taken as an Indication that he desired
to have this matter settled without further
DELAY or friction in order that the plans
for consideration of prospective legisla-
ton might not be interfered with. This
supposition, while not absolutely correct,
was nearly so, for the Senator was ready
and willing to discuss the question, and
he did SO. What he had to say at first
appeared decidedly encouraging to the
friends of Senator Ketcham. who was rot
present himself.
IF Essex county wants the position"
the Senator was quoted as saying, she
ought to have it, and judging from the
earnestness of the canvass being made
by Senator Ketcham. and the support ne
is receiving from Franklin Murphy, Ma
jor Lentz and other influential Republic
cans In the county. there appears to be
little doubt of the attitude of the county
This announcement was decidedly cheer
ing to Major Lentz and other friends of
Senator Ketcham. and it had a corre-
spondingly depressing effect on Senator
Reed and his friends. Determined to as
certain the truth of Senator Sewelrs at
titude, the Senator from Somerset and a.
few others sought him in the Governors
room and asked if the intimation that he
favored giving the Office to Essex county
was true.
eNot exactly,s replied Senator Sewei1,
"for / do not regard the position of Pres
fdent of the Senate in the same light as
other offices to be disposed of. 1t should
not be regarded as a part of the patron
age to be allotted to Essex, or Camden or
any other county. 1t is a position OF hon
or. to be filled by the choice Of the ma
iority in the Senate, and neither myself
nor any Of my friends will attempt to in
iuence the selection of any particular as
pirant for the position. It some of great
responsibility. and in making the choice it
is well to be guided solely with a view to
the capability and adaptability Of the rival
candidates..
ssWere I in the State Senate at this
time, I would vote for Mr.. Ketcham. be-
cause of his long and faithful service.
and this being the last year of his term.
Having no vote. I nave ne choice. and re-
peat tina neither myself nor friends will
attempt to influence the selection of SEN
ators Ketcham. Reed. johnson or any
other Senator who may aspire to the posi-
ton
Reed appeared well pleased with the re-
suit of his interview, and it is assumed
that the assertion of Senator Sewell that
he will not interfere leaves the fight open
so far as Senator Ketcham and Reed are
concerned, with the chances slightly in
favor of the latter. Five of the South
Jersey Senators are said to have ex-
pressed a preference for Senator Reed,
provided Senator Sewell did not ask their
support LOT another c~dnuludIe.
Senator Francis is an avowed supporter
of the Somerset candidate. Standardized
Hutchinson leans that way also. Senator
elect Cross is said to favor him after Sen
ator Johnson of Bergen. Should no fur
Their changes occur, this would mean
eight votes for Senator Reed, exclusive of
his own. or a clear majority of the four
teen Republican Senators.
There was very little discussion con-
eerning the organization of the House.
which is all settled except so far as the
position of leader is concerned. Instead
of being sought, the position is practical
~ going begging. and any one Of half a
dozen Assemblymen who have been urged
TO take it can have it for the asking.
Ali the visitors spent most of their time
in the recently renovated executive
chamber, which was informally opened
today for the use of Acting Governor
Watkins. Among the visitors was SeTa-
tor and Congressman-elect William D.
DAILY. who remarked as he admired the
silver trimmings on the doors and win
dows, that The architect presumably had
me in mind when his plans were execut-
ed"