The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-08-17
SIZING UP CAMPAIGN.
Senator Stokes Hopes to
Get an Idea of the Poll
tical Situation.

Especial to 1.-The Jersey City News."l
TRENTON, Aug. y, 1900.-Senator
Stokes, Acting Chairman of the Republi-
can State Committee. was at the head
quarters In Newark Wednesday afternoon,
He was met by William Riker, Treasurer
of the committee and the two attended
| to some routine matters in connection
with the campaign. 1t was decided to call
a meeting of the committee TO be held
here next Wednesday.
| 1t is expected that action will be taken
| towards securing a successor to Secretary
| Augustus S. Barber, Jr, who died We'd
nesday morning.
| Though it was felt by the members OF
the committee, ever since Mr.. Barber was
| taken sick that 1t would be necessary to
get some one to look after the duties OF
the Secretaryship, no definite action was
| taken, except to engage Thomas l.. Gas
kell, of Newark, to act as Assistant Sec
retary Mr.. Gaskell is temporarily filling
| the Secretary's position, but it is not de-
cided who will be chosen permanently
! The position is not an easy one TO fill,
| as the duties of the office require man
of wide acquaintance among the people
of the State and having an intimate
There is no salary attached to the OF
flee. and the incumbent is expected to
give most of his time to the committees
affairs during campaigns.
| 1t is said, however, that there are
number of aspirants for the job through
| ont the State. as the sacrifices made IN
fulfilling the duties is generally regaraeo
as giving the person holding the office
| a claim for preferment when any Oh 'he
| good things are going around
| Owing to the fact that the funeral Vi
| the late Secretary will be held TO-DAY al
woodbury., where Mr.. Barber resioeo'
Senator Stokes has postponed the meet
| ing of the Chairmen of Repuphcan
| County Committees, which had peeh
called for this morning at the Repuoh-
can Club in this city.
| number of County Chairmen, as wen
| as certain of the members OF the
state Committee, expressed intention OF
going to the Barber funeral, and it was
| deemed best to defer the consultation
| until some day next week. Telegrams
were sent to the various chairmen, notify
| ing them of the change of plans.
The proposed conference was arranged
! for the purpose of gaining for the state
| Committee reliable information as to the
! political conditions in the various
| counties, for the purpose of consulting
| generally about the best method of con-
! ducting the campaign. and to give the
County Chairmen ample opportunity to
make whatever suggestions they might
have to offer in the interest of the party.
| 1t is figured out by the leaders that
] GENERAL coming together of the county
leaders will have the effect of stirring UP
| interest in the campaign, which. to date,
has not, been bubbling over with ac-
| tivity.
| decided awakening throughout the
| State is looked for next week, after the
proposed conference Of county leaders
and meeting of the State Committee
| shall be held.
It is said to be settled fact that Sec
rotary of War Elihu Root will be the
| orator at the Republican State Conven-
ton in this city on September 6. Sem
| ator Foraker was wanted for the e,ra-
| sion. but he is to open the campaign in
| Ohio formally on September 8. He will.
/ however, return to New Jersey in time
| to address the State League of Republi-
can Clubs at Jersey City, on September
| b. John Barrett, former Minister to
| Siam, will also speak at the latter meet
ing