New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-18
NEW-JERSEY NEWS.

No doubt Essex capture the Speakership
Of the Assembly II It's delegation in that House
stands firmly for B. +. Jones and makes proper
concessions to other counties in the way of
minor Offices Essex covets and deserves con-
spicuous recognition in the organization OF the
Legislature. but there are now seventeen Re
publican counties TO divide the few offices in the
gift OF the party caucus, and Essex will have to
give up some Of the minor but profitable posts
which II has heretofore filed in order to gain
the Speakers chair for one Of Its Assembymen.
The fact that there will be no certainty as TO
the action Of Essex keeps alive the candidates.
OF the four other Assembymen who are re-
garded as possible wielders OF the gavel.
Though handicapped by the fact that the Sena-
tor from Bergen is TO be President OF the Senate.
that county's capable Assembyman. Mr.. Wake
lee. is by no means out OF the running. Camden.
supported by South Jersey Is earnestly seeking
the place for Mr.. Bradley; Passaic lie vigorously
working for Mr.. Lewis and Mercer pins its
faith TO Mr. Wood. so there is opportunity for
some interesting moves on the Assembly check
erboard. and there may be more or less uncer-
tainty as TO the result, or at least possibility
OF surprise. up TO the time OF the action Of the
caucus in January.
The singular and encouraging feature OF the
ability and integrity OF each Of the five cand-
dates. However the Assembymen may decide
between the respective claims OF the five AS
semblymen the gave will be In safe hands. and
the work OF the Assembly will go on without
hitch or scandal
The leadership OF the Senate affords a topic
for much speculation Senator johnson, OF Cam
den does not seem inclined 10 seek the honor.
His undoubted qualifications as a worker
offset by his disinclination to lead in debate.
The same is true OF Senator Cross and Senator
Stokes ii is said. does not covet the leadership.
though he might have IT II he desired H.
so that the present outlook is that the arduous
duties Of leader will fall upon the energetic
Senator Ptney, OF Morris County. who is quite
capable of dealing vigorously with the corporals
guard of Democrats. who will be marshaed by
the aggressive Senator McDermott, OF Hudson.
Inasmuch the Morris Canal Surrender bill
Will probably be championed by the Senator
from Hudson, and Senator Pitneys constituents
are particularly opposed 10 the measure Il is
peculiarly fitting that their representative in the
upper house should have the task Of killing the
bill, as he did Senator McDermotts companion
measure the water trust bill at the last
sion There were some peppery debates over
that measure and Senator Pitney proved good
match for the able Jersey City lawyer and is
doubtless quite ready to measure swords with
him again and defeat the pet corporation bills
OF that bowling anti-corporation Senator, whose
lightning changes from antitrust agitator
to pro-trust legislator are among the marvels
that are to be on exhibition at Trenton this
winter.
While the Newark Tax Board goes on dilly-
dallying about the taxation OF the franchise
rights OF corporations using public streets in
Newark. there is being accumulated a weight
OF authority in favor OF such taxation. Colonel
Price interpreted the law clearly. Camden set
the example. and now Mr.. Black. OF the State
Board Of Taxation points out that 1T is prac
! ticable TO tax these franchises as II is to tax
any other class OF property" II the taxing
thorites In the several municipalities continue
TO neglect TO carry out the law IL is time for the
!