The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-12-12
F00TE WILL LEAD
Union County Man Appears
to Have a Majority
Of the Votes.
EDGAR VILLIAMS'S PETTINESS
Tells Folwell He Will Beat
Him Because Newspapers
Take His Part.
EDGAR VILLIAMS'S PETTINESS

Day prior to the date fixed for the hold
ing of the caucus of Republican Assem-
blynen, there was only a handful Of
statesmen to be found in the corridor OF
the Capitol yesterday. 1t is probable that
the Assemblymen have their minds fixed
as to how the plums are to be distributed
at the meeting of next Tuesday, and that
they deemed it unnecessary to gather un-
der the gtlded dome yesterday.
AS to the speakership, there is of course
no doubt AsserAblyman Bradley of
Camden has that berth firmly in his grasp
and all he has to do is to go ahead and fx
up his committees. 1t is announced that
mis-. secretary has already been selected IN
the person of one of the bright newspaper
editors Of Camden.
The leadership on the floor of the House
will probably be allotted to the serious
and important Mr.. Foote of Union county,
who is heralded as sort of thirteen-inch
oratorlcal gun. He only had one or two
chances to talk on the floor last year. and
the impression he then made was any,
thing but favorable But he has been
picked as a winner by the men who name
legislative officers, and the House will
have to abide by their orders.
Foremost in the line of the Foote fight
ers is Assemblyman Meeker, of Union,
who will not hear of any other candidate
for leader than his colleague from Plain
field. Mr.. Meeker hints at influences that
are to be brought to bear later, and
which, he says, will turn away some OF
the support on which the Essex men are
counting.
The big man from Union is confident
that in the week intervening before the
general caucus of the majority some
things will happen that will turn the tide
in favor of Mr.. Foote and leave the Es-
sex candidate in the position of an ordi-
nary member, with little else to do than
vote.
But the Esstx men are not worried
Their champion, Mr.. Bachelor, is so well
satisfied with the situation that he has
gone South on hunting trip, and will
not return until next Monday night. In
common with the others of the Essex
eleven. Mr.. Bachelor is disposed to think
well of the men VINO have promised him
their votes, and. from his standpoint,
there is nothing to be gained by remain
ing on the scene of a battle that he be-
lieves is already as good as won.
Bachelor better stay here cunning for
votes if he expects to beat our man,
i Foote,'' was Mr.. Meekers remark when
I he heard of the Essex mans southern
I pilgrimage Hell need 'em all-that is,
i all that he has been promised
One solution of the complication sug-
gested is the selection of Assemblyman
Vivian M Lewis, of Passaic, as a COM
promise candidate in case the contest be-
| tween Foote and Bacheller threatens to
be too close. Mr.. Lewis accepted the de-
| feat of his speakership aspirations with
such grace that he has made many friends
by his attitude, and his candidacy would
undoubtedly attract number of votes
from among those who are not especially
enthusiastic for either Bachelor or Foote.
| 1t is also believed that, in the possi-
! bility of Bachelors failure to secure
| enough votes in the caucus, a majority of
the Essex men would throw their strength
| to Lewis, as a sort of compensation for
having effected his defeat for the speaker
| ship.
| The liveliest feature of the day was the
energy with which Assemblyman-eiect
Edgar williams, of Essex county, pushed
1 the candidacy of George A. Grover for the
position of Supervisor of Bills in the
House. When Williams brough Grover
/ out, two weeks ago, it was looked upon as
joke, but the seriousness of Grover S
candidacy quickly became apparent, and
Charles H. Folwell, of Burlington, who
supposed he had clear track to the
4 office, began to look around for more
strength.
Today Williams met Folwell in the
corridors and said: I'm against you, and
will give you the liveliest ten minutes you
ever had in your life when the caucus is
| called" Williams charged Folwell with
| inspiring the newspaper criticisms he had
been subjected to since he brought Grover
out, and plainly told the Burlington man
that he intended to even up the score by
defeating him, if possible. Folwell says
that if all the members of the House who
have pledged their votes to him continl e
faithful to their promise he will win hands
down 1t is understood that Grover is not
unanimously backed by the Essex delega-
I ton. He is a real estate dealer, and,
some say. is not competently equipped for
/ the peculiar work that goes with the Of
! flee for which he is an aspirant.
/ Captain James Parker of Passaic is
slated to succeed himself as clerk of the
! House. He has no serious opposition.
Frank Tantum of Monmouth brought
his boom for sergeant-at-arms of the
House UP from Founder" Bradiey's in
a handbag. He is quite confident that
he will be renamed as the guardian of
the peace of the House and as no candi-
date has been entered against him, Tan
tums hopes would seem to be not with
out foundation.
Senators Mckee and Hand were the
only members of the upper House on
hand ana they did not stay long.
One of the first of the minority men,
bers TO visit the state House this year
was Assemblyman Maurice Marks. of
Hudson, who Is to be the Democratic
leader this year His visit was for the
purpose of having HIS desk changed. and,
after securing the seat occupied last year
by Allan Benny. he left apparently satis-
fed.
Walter E. Edge, of Atlantic county, and
Geosge A, Frey OF Camden. We're ON the
ground, looking after their chances for
i 8landing the secretaryship OF the Senate.
] The fght between the two candidates
I waxed warm. ana 4. was claimed BY Edge
I that his stock had gone up several points
during the day Frey Is holding eo the