The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-10-30

the party would be safe In his hands,
and when the votes were counted that
memorable Tuesday night, TO the great
surprise OF the Republicans and their
managers, 1t was found that he had car
ried the district. This is all the more
remarkable when it Is taken into consid-
Grafton that Mr.. Heck carried the klis-
trict at the previous election by 500 plu-
rality The session of the Assembly for
1886 had no sooner settled down to busi-
ness when Mr.. Hudspeth Immediately
took position in the front rank and
was at once recognized as a man Of abil-
ity and integrity He served faithfully
upon the Committee on Revision of Laws
and was always found advocating and
voting for those bills which were recog-
nized as measures for the best interests
of the people.
He made remarkable fight for the
Washington street bridge bill, which was
then the paramount measure to the peo-
pie Of Jersey City. For years the citizens
of this city had been endeavoring to get
through the Legislature bill which
would permit the construction of bridge
over the Gap at the foot Of Washington
street 1t was recognized as a dire
necessity and there was general popu-
lar demand for such bridge. The peo-
Pile for many years had keenly felt the
necessity of span across the Gap. Every
time anyone desired to take train on
the New Jersey Central Railroad he was
obliged to cross the ferry to New York
and then take another ferry back to this
city again. A few industries had located
on that side of the Gap, and were the
proper facilities, including this bridge.
provided, many more were ready to come
and establish themselves there. All of
this anyone can plainly see would he OF
immense value and benefit to the city and
would increase the value of property and
the general prosperity Of the municipal
ity. 1t was generally understood that a
street railroad company was ready to
extend its tracks over the bridge as soon
as it was built down to the Central sta
ton. 1t is therefore apparent that this
movement was Of great interest to the
city and that there was an almost
unanimous popular demand for the
bridge, the few exceptions being some
lawyers and others who opposed the
scheme from motives not necessary to
mention here
When the bill came up in the House it
met with fierce opposition The various
railroad corporations who would suffer in
their passenger and freight receipts if
the people of Jersey City were thus af-
forded access to the Central road, maze
a most determined fight against the mea-
sure. They masaueraded behind the s'i-
gar house, which appeared in the light of
the sole opponent of the BILL Their plea,
was that a bridge would impede the prog
ress of the various vessels which came up
to their wharves and would greatly inter-
fere with their business. This transpar-
ent device deceived none but the enemies
of the bill, who were all powerful, and
in spite of all Mr. Hudspeth's efforts the
measure was defeated. He, however, came
nearer to getting the measure through
than any of his predecessors who mad
fought this fight for the people.
So much did the people of the Sixth
District appreciate Mr.. Hudspeth's efforts
in their behalf that they returned him to
the Assembly the next fall by a hand-
some plurality over Colonel Charles w.
Fuller. The House that year was eon-
trolled by the Democrats, and the superior
abilities which Mr.. Hudspeth had shown
during the former session made him a
prominent candidate for the Speakership
This was the famous year of the Baird
episode when J. Herbert Potts of this
city distinguished himself by climbing
up a ladder to a second story window
to be sworn in as clerk. The Democratic
majority was not over large. In the eau-
Gus Mr. Hudspeth received the nomination
for Speaker and everything went along
until the position of Sergeant-at-arms was
reached. Then DIR. William M. Baird, OF
Warren, sChet'' Wolverton and John C..
Arnwine, of Hunterdon. wanted the posi-
ton for a certain man. The majority Of
the caucus wanted someone else and re-
fused the office to these men. This pre-
cious trio then took the make or break
stand and declared if their wishes were
not considered they would bolt. Mr.. Hud-
spetll, in the interests of harmony, offered
to resign the Speakership nomination In
favor of Baird If the three would remain
in the caucus and abide by the result.
They refused this most generous offer un-
less they be given more offices and
that the caucus would not do. Whereupon
Baird Wolverton and Arnwine bolted and
went over to the enemy. They made q
combination with the Republicans where
by Baird was made Speaker. Herbert
Potts Clerk ard Wolverton ard Krnwlns
were taken care Of to their entire salts
faction.
Mr.. Hudspeth became the Democratic
leader of that House and as such again
made gallant fight for the peoples
rights and the Washington street bridge.
But again the corporations were too
much for him. and those subtle influences
SO well known to those who closely fol-
low the workings of the New Jersey Leg
islature prevailed and the measure was
again defeated. So impressed were his
Democratic colleagues with Mr.. Huds-
peth's sterling worth and general efficien-
CIV that when the session was over they
presented him with a magnificent gold
watch and chain which he carries to this
day. This is an honor which is very
rarely, if ever, conferred upon a member
Of the Assembly. A Speaker Is always
presented with some token of the mem-
bers' esteem at the end of session. but
the cases in which a leader of party
has been considered worthy of this dis
tinction are very rare
In 1883 Mr.. Hudspeth's business was
such that 1t was impossible for him to
serve in the House, but the next year he
ran again and was elected by another
substantial plurality. This House was
also controlled by the Democrats. and Mr..
Hudspeth was made Speaker without any
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