The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-23
FORT WON'T run.
Declines to Be Essex's Re-
publican State Senator
ial Candidate.
LIKES HIS JUDICIAL JOB
His Friends Who. Had Pre-
pared Their SItae Are
Left Guessing.

Especial to '"The Jersey City News."1
+ NEWARK, Sept. q. 1899.-Repubiica
aspirants for the Essex Senatorial noInf-
nation, who have been making 2 diligent
canvass for the place, were agreeably
surprised to learn yesterday that Judge J.
Franklin Fort has finally determined not
to accept the nomination this year under
any circumstances. A number Of the
Judges political friends called upon him
to ascertain II he were candidate FOR the
position or would accept the place II ten
dered to him.
Their impression evidently was that
Judge Fort. while not an aspirant for the
nomination, might accept 1t II rendered.
They were apparently SO confident Of that
result as to proceed with a revision Of the
original slate. which included township
man for Surrogate. and substituted tie
name of Benedict Prieth. Of this city, for
running mate to Judge Fort for Senator.
and John H. Bonnell for Sheriff..
This occasioned considerable uneasiness,
especially among the township Candidates
for Surrogate and the Senatorial eandI-
dates, until they learned that it was not
certain that the Judge would accept the
nomination.
A reporter saw Judge Fort and asked
him If he were candidate for State
Senator. He said:-'1 am not, have not
been, and will not be a candidate
Does that mean you will not accept the
nomination If it is rendered to you?n
''Yes. 1t means exactly that. do not
deny that have been considering 1t SER
iously at the request of many Of my per-
sonaI friends, but after the most mature
reflection and full consideration. am
convinced that it is not necessary that
should accept the nomination. That 1t Is
against my personal interests to do SO. I
have not the slightest doubt. am very
sorry to disappoint those for whose good
opinion have the highest esteem, but
sometimes there are obligations that one
owes to himself, and. those dependent
upon him. that are absolutely controlling.
That is my situation. have no doubt
that any good man can win in Essex
County on the Republican ticket this
year and so long as that is a fact there
is no reason why I should make the
sacrifice
'It was stated that you had conferred
with some OF your friends. and had given
them to understand that you would ae-
cept nomination If it were rendered to-
you, though you would do nothing to get
it?' hazarded the reporter
That have talked with several Of my
friends is true. and / did say to them that
I would again consider the whole subject
carefully, and if l thought it duty In
cumbent upon me would accept. no matter
at what sacrifice" the Judge replied. 7
promised a positive answer the next day.
which answer was ready to give. but no
one came for 1t. and the papers published
that I would accept a nomination IL ten
dered. was not asked before such pub
lication if it was true that would accept
the nomination or l would have settled It
at once. have thought it over from all
standpoints and have fully decided the
question. MY decision is final. 1t is that
there is no necessity for my running for
Senator. and shall not do it, trust this
will effectually end the discussion
The Judge further said:-'T am accus-
toned now to my judicial duties, and they
have become quite congenial and agree-
able to me- have never been better in
health than at this time, and all the am
bitions 1 have, If have any. lie along
these lines"
This decision may disappoint your
friends volunteered the reporter.
~~%-~~f
like to oblige people who really think
they have may interests at heart. The
only regret / have in this whole matter
is that / am unable to do what they want,
but my friends are reasonable people, ana
will surely not be offended with me TOR
doing that which my judgment dictates as
nay only proper and radical course
There was more than one fmpromptu
note comparing session of candidates
when 1t became known that recognized
party leaders had conferred with Judge
Fort with the view of having him accept
the Senatorial nomination.
Eve don't know where We are
at yet said a candidate for e
county office, whose name didnsf
appear in the slate of favored ones
.sWe certainly know who and what to
watch. Looks like case OF every man
for himself and old Nick take the hind
Thomas n. McCarter. Jr.. George q
Russell, Robert Hawksworth, Richard e.
Jenkinson. Senatorial candidates.; Frank
F. Smith. David H. Johnson, Albert II
Guenther. Henry Dickinson and others
entered in the Shrievalty race; Thomas
MCGOWAN, Joseph w. Ellor and Edgar
Williams, aspirants for the Surrogateship,
were left to think the matter over,