The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-11-20

victories over an enemy which Is divided
and. di~sorganized.
The probability is that the Republicans
/ will organize the Legislature IN a man
ner that will give satisfaction to the fol-
lowers of their party. Many of the old
and new Senators and the A-ssemblymen-
elect held an informal conference at the
State House last week and discussed the
situation and the candidates for the yari-
Gus offices. 1t was the consensus of opln-
ion that the Presidency Of the Senate
should go to Mr.. johnson of Bergen. ana
it is safe to assume that there will not
be any opposition in his own party to his
elevation to that office. Last year he was
the leader of his party on the floor OF the
Senate, when he discharged his duties
with rare tact and ability. He IS a
conservative man, and the Democratic
Senators are well pleased to hear that ne
will act as presiding officer this coming
winter. The Presidency of the Senate,
it is said, will act as a stepping stone 10
the Governorship in the case or MI.
Johnson. AS to that, however, the de-
yelopments of the legislative session VIII
60 a long way as to telling who would
make the strongest candidate-Mr. John
son or Mr.. Pitney. And, perhaps, Mr.
Reed, of Somerset, may have something
to say about the Gubernatorial success
sion before the end of the session II
looks as If Senator johnson, OF Camden
may be made the Republican leader.
The proposed elevation Of Mr.. john
SON to the chair takes out of the race
for the Speakership Mr.. Wakelee, OF
Bergen. because it is not customary nor
is it consistent with good politics to have
the presiding officers of both Houses come
from the same county. 1t is worthy OF
note thai that this is the first time since
1853 thai Bergen county VIII pc non
ored with the Presidency of the Senate.
In 1859 the chair was occupied by Inomas
r. Herring. And, furthermore, MI,
Johnson is the first Republican from that
county who will have the distinction q
occupying such a high position IN tne
State.
the Essexx county delegation has con-
cluded to support Mr.. Jones TOT ehe
Speakership and waive all claims to other
ofices. In that case. then, it may be pre-
dicted with safety that Mr.. Jones will be
the Speaker. Essex has not had a
Sneaker of the Republican faith since
1881. W1en 1dIllSOI q 00S
the chair. In 1884 the county had a Demo-
cratic Speaker in the person OF the rare
Thomas OaConnor. This is only one OF
the claims which the Essex people maKs
for the office, and it seems strong enough.
And besides. 1t is understood that the
big leaders of the party are in favor of
giving the office to Essex as long as UNITY
in it's delegation prevails with respect to
it.
Still the other candidates for the place
are not without hope that something may
turn up to strengthen their booms. Ihe
friends of General Sewell think it would
not be good politics to have the Speak
ership go to Camden this time, because
next year the Genera will be a candidate
to succeed himself in the United States
Senate, and some animosities might be
caused were his own county to ask for
what might be considered too much IN
the way of patronage. With the Speak
ership almost settled, then, there is much
speculation as to how the other offices
will be divided. Either Mr.. Wakele or
Mr.. Wood will be the Republican leader.
The Clerkship will likely go to James
Barker. of Passaic, and it will be a very
good selection, indeed. Mr.. Poole, of Nor
ris. who was an ~Assemblyman last year,
is a formidable candidate for Reading
Clerk. The position of Sergeant-at-Arms
may be given to Camden, while the minor
offices will be divided among the various
Republican counties. Charles r. Foiweli,
Of Burlington, will most likely be appoint
ed as Supervisor of Bills by the Governor,
even before the Legislature convenes, SO
that the new official may make the neces.
sary arrangements for the performance OF
the duties of the Office.