Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-01-26

Demand That the Plum Tree Shall
BE Well shaken important Bills
introduced.
Especial Correspondence
Trenton. Jan. 25.-The legislature in
Joint session at noon today formally
elected John Kean. Jr.. of Union county
United States senator to succeed James
Smith. Jr.. on March next. The cleo
ton was really decided yesterday when
the two houses balloted separately for
the senatorship. In the senate Senator
w. NJ Johnson. for the Republicans,
presented the name of John Kean, Jr.i
and Senator Martin, acting, as he said
upon the unanimous wish of the Dem
ocratic caucus, nominated James Smith;
Jr. A ballot followed, resulting in IA
votes for Kean and for Smith. 1t was
a strictly party vote. of course, but
Senator McDermott of Hudson was alb
sent, and the report quickly spread that
he had purposely remained away in or
der not to cast a ballot for Mr.. Smith,
whose election in place of Leon Albeit
six years ago had broken the hopes and
spirit of that great Democratic leader.
If Senator McDermott had any inten-
ton to show this mark of loyalty to his
old chief. he changed his mind, for,
coming into the chamber later, he Sc
cured permission to be recorded for the
Democratic caucus nominee. In the as
senlbiy the nominating speech for Mr..
Kean was made by Republican Leader
Mckee, while Mr.. Smith was placed in
nomination by Democratic Leader Muir
nhy. The ballot resulted in Mr.. Kean's
favor-S7 to q. Mr.. MarneH (Dem.)
was absent. Mr.. Albeit, son of the de-
ceased Democratic warhorse, said in
voting for Mr.. Smith:
= '.In casting my vote for Mr.. Smith
bow to the will of my party caucus and
do not desire to be considered as giving
expression to my personal preference
for the office of United States senator.
Mr.. Abbetts remarks caused buzz
OF gossip through the chamber. but it
was generally declared among Demo-
erats that the young assemblyman was
justified in revealing his feelings under
all the circumstances of the case.
The election of Mr.. Kean to the Unit
ed States senate will make the New Jer-
sey representation in the highest legis-
lative body of the land wholly Republic
an. Senator SewelIs term continuing
till 1901 This will be the first time in
many years that the Democrats have
been without party representative in
the United States senate. With the loss
of this lucrative Office following upon
the loss of the governership and the
legislature and the control of practical
" all the state institutions. the Demo-
Gratis are very much out in the cold at
the present time.
Politics and Partisanship.
But the Democrats have some com
pensation in viewing the storm that is
raging within the Republican ranks
now over the spoils that have fallen in
to the victors' laps. The more consery-
alive of the state leaders are in favor OF
preserving at least an appearance of
nonpartisanship in the various depart
raents by retaining Democrats in sub
ordinate places when they have shown
special aptitude for their work. The
governor, in his inaugural address in
dorsed this plan and reminded his fell
low Republicans that in following it
they not only were pursuing the best
policy for the public welfare. but also
w.re actually strengthening their party
the good graces of the voters of the
q. tie and insuring to Republication a
long continuance of power. But it was
noticeable that this portion of Governor
Voorhees, address provoked no APP
piause. It is not popular doctrine with
the rank and file Of party workers, who
believe that the official plum tree should
be shaken till there isn't plum left I'M
appropriated by the party in power
This week has leen made notable by
a regular invasion of practical politi-
clans of the type described who have
come on to Trenton to make their influ-
ence felt. Mercer county partisans, be-
Ing right on the ground. have taken the
lead in the attack on the departments
Every state official has been visited this
week and been argued with to show
that unless the plums come down the
regular party workers are going to COM
bine to discontinue their activity in the
party's behalf at election time. In the
face of assaults of this kind 1t is very
difficult for the conservative men of the
party to hold their own. and it begins
to look as if there might be a pretty
general sweep before the winter ends
Democratic leaders on their part are
to say the least Indifferent to the re-
suit. Many of them indeed would pre-
fer to see the Republican henchmen
have their way, as the displaced Demo
cratic officeholders are far more likely
to be active party workers than if they
were retained in comfortable berths by
a spirit of Republican tolerance.
The storm center just at present is
about the head of State Librarian Ham
fEton. There are at least ten candidates
for the veteran editors office, and while
it was regarded as assured awhile age
that his fitness for the place and GER
tain sentiment of regard for the old
gentleman would prevent his displace-
ment ii now begins to look as If even
these considerations would be INSULT
Gent There was a meeting yesterday
OF the library commissioners. with this
governor. chancellor and chief justice
at their head, and unusual pressure was
brought to bear in favor of replacing
the Democratic librarian with a Repub-
iican. The commission, however. was
unable to reach decision amid so many
applicants, and an adjournment was
ndQ Til next MEEhs NuICiis uOMEFGTs Il
an unfavorabie indication for Colona
Hamilton The librarians term is five
years. and the annual salary is 81 900.
Governor Voorhees, has the follow ne
appointments to make this year: Stats
road commissioner, state school super
intendent. four riparian commissioners
six state prison inspectors. a member
of the state board of taxation, the coun
ty Judges in Burlington and Cumber
land counties and prosecutors in Cum
heriand and Essex counties. Most Of
the present incumbents are Republic
ans. including Road Commissioner Budt
and State School Superin andent Bax.
ter. and the Republicans are looking
for reappointment. The Democratic
Judge and prosecutor in Cumberland
will of course be turned down.
The Railway Reformatory.
Senator w. NJ johnson, in the senate
this week. offered concurrent resolu-
ton, which both houses subsequently
adopted, providing that the joint com
nittee on appropriations make an in
vestigation into the present condition
of the state reformatory project and
recommend to this legislature what
should be done in the matter with ref
erence to its completion. The subject
was up last winter. but the impression
prevailed that the state had an elephant
on its hands. and the legislature fought
shy of definite action. Governor Voor-
hees has revived interest in the reform.
afory this year by the references in his
annual message. and hence the resolu-
ton just adopted. It is claimed in be-