New-York tribune., 1901-12-16

party in New-Jersey have formed and are
attempting to put into execution an auda-
cious scheme 10 control the incoming Iegis-
Iature. They have succeeded in obtafninr
The aid of Il few men of hitherto unbIem-
ished reputation, whose ambitions have
blinded them 10 the peril involved With
daring enrontery and indecency the lobby
lists used the name and influence of General
se"en while the great lender Iny on
deathbed. unable TO raise a hand to check
Them.
the determination of a group of New-Jersey
Republicans conspicuous for their activity in
politics Of a certain well defined kind to make
Senator Charles Asa Francis Of Monmouth
County. President of the Senate at the next
session Of the legislature, is earnestly opposed
by a recently aroused public sentiment. This
opposition has the merit OF sincerity in the in
terest of the State government and of party
loyalty which has no commercial interest in
politics except to endeavor TO defeat II where
ever il appears, and is sufficiently strong IL IT
viii concentrate its forces TO organize the Sen
ate upon the dignihed basis and principles
which have heretofore prevailed when the Re
publiCans have been in control of that body If.
these Republicans in opposition declare, the
attempt TO organize the Senate upon the plan
proposed is sufficient TO justify an indignant
public protest upon the part OF the people, they
should at unite their efforts to accomplish
The end which they so earnestly desire. They
made the Senate, and its organization is within
their control
The fact that Mr. Francis is an active amb-
tiods hustling politician has little or nothing to
DO with the opposition TO his candidacy. but ap-
pears TO be cne of his chief recommendations
10 bis supporters. His ability, or willingness. TO
do the things. or to aid in doing them. which
they want done is said, and which are re-
pulsive TO the spirit of good government, and
accordingly destructive of party supremacy, is
the cause of the opposition to his selection as
the presiding officer of the Senate That the
sincerity of purpose of the opposition TO Mr-
Francis may not be misunderstood or miscon-
strued, a few Of its reasons for opposing him
are herewith presented in substance as they
have been gathered from those Republicans
who command the respect of the people of the
State and whose counsels in the party always
have been considered both wise and patriotic.
Deal is an especially unpleasant word in
politics. but II is of Saxon strength. and, in con-
nection with the candidacy of Mr.. Francis, it is
frequently, almost constantly. applied as being
the word which best BELTS the situation. 1t has
been asserted without reserve that the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Francis bears the unmistakabe
commercial stamp of the legislativef lobby, AMI
a Republican whose leadership is the outcome
,9f his high regard for State honor and loyalty
90 his party and its principles has said plainly
that the selection of Mr.. Francis to be President
of the Senate is not so much because Of the
merits Of the man because Of the ability
which it fosters TO make deals. According TO
popular report these deals have in view OF
certain condition, for one thing, far reaching
significance
In support of the candidacy of Mr.. Francis, it
is pIausibly averred that he desires to be made
President Of the Senate because Of the prestige
which the place would give him in his pursuit
of the office of Sheriff Of Monmouth County next
year II is so well known that the Office OF
Sheriff is eagerly sought because Of its emolu-
ments and that no one who has been both Sena-
tor and q member of the Assembly could find
additional honors in its possession that this
pretence or excuse need not be dwelt upon at
further length except to point to the fact that
while the Office Of Sheriff is the immediate con-
Germ of the people Of only one county, the office
Of President of the Senate is the direct concern
Of the people of the whole State. and that the
qualifications TO fill the county Office acceptably
are in no sense the requisite qualifications to HI
the other. The temperament and qualifications
Of Mr. Francis in connection with the exact
ing judicial and parliamentary duties Of Presi-
Gent Of the Senate are so well known that they
may be permitted 10 pass without further
notice.
But underlying the preferred object Of Mr..
Francis as presented by his supporters, is de-
clared 10 be a purpose which is not we'll con-
ceeled Disgraceful and incredible though it may
seem, It is common report that even while Sen
ator seweI. the respected and acknowledged
leader OF the party, lay on his deathbed, pro
tessed friends Of his were making the succession
10 the Senatorship part Of their legislative deal
But the ability Of any State Senator TO
deliver in a joint meeting the votes of the
Asser1lblyYnen in his county in the support
Of a candidate for United States Senator
Of the choosing Of his supporters for Presi-
dent Of the Senate is repulsive as it ought
10 be gratuitous for the honor Of manhood
in of public office. And yet no hesi-
fancy is made by many of the opponents in say
ing that this of the objects OF the selection
of MT. Francis president Of the Senate, and
which in plain terms. is designated as a deal
A Republican who resoIuteIy declined to become
an assistant TO the alleged combine" which is
urging Mr. Francis gave fatty as his reason fos
doing so that the candidacy of Mr.. Francis was
in large measure the conception and inception
Of the lobby. If this is true, it is most unfort-
unate for the Senator from Monmouth. and
forcefuliy and peculiarly recalls the fact at the
end of his second Senatorial term, that, while
no successful career was ever begun under the
direction or influence Of the lobby, than
one that was full Of promise was abruptly ended
there
II has been urged with some frequency to give
It strength that the candidacy of Mr. Francis
had the Endorsement of United States Senator
Sewel. The effrontery of this statement should
be its own unsupported denial. But since il
seems not to have done so in many instances
it can be said here that ii is absolutely without