The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-09-03
Talks Politics and Remarks
That He Will Always
Be On Hand.
THINGS LOOK MURPHNSH
Republican Leader Says the
Gubernatorial Aspirant Is
Still Gracefully Sliding.

ytS-
ter6ay morning on the steamer Vader-
land, Of the Red Star Line. The steamer
reached the New York pier before eight
| o'clock and the saloon passengers hurried
ashore.
The superintendent of the pier said that
Senator Sewell was in his cabin and would
| not receive anybody, for he was a very
sick man. His private secretary H. J.
Rumrille, went to the cabin, however, and
told the Senator ne would be taken to
Jersey City on a Pennsylvania railroad
tug. Another friend looked after the bag
gage. No other New Jersey friends were
on the pier.
AT $3.50 O'Clock Senator Sewell appeared
on the promenade deck of the steamer.
Hewore dark gray sack suit and black
derby hat. He leaned on stout cane
and walked very slowly to the gangway,
Mrs. Sewell following. His face and neck
were very thin. but his eyes were bright
and clear.
A reporter was the first person to shake
hands with the Senator as he stepped 10
the pier.
Il thank you, and I am very glad to be
back" said the Senator in a low voice.
AS there are disauieting reports about
the condition of your health, l would like
to hear from yourself how you are"
81 have a complication of diseases"
was the reply. 'At present 1 am weak,
because a small tumor broke a few days
ago. But after resting few weeks at
home shall be stronger
'.It is said, Senator, that your health
will not permit you to take part in the
political campaign this fall"
while l am alive said the Senator,
smiling, 81 shall take an interest in poll
tics, and shall do what I can for the Re-
publican party
"Will you be able to take an active
part in the campaign?"
"Of course, 1 cannot attend public
meetings, but 1 believe 1 will be able
to do something for the Republican
party in the campaign
''The general impression in New Jer
sey is, Senator, that Franklin Murphy
will be the Republican gubernatorial cam
didate.''
81 said before I went abroad that Mr..
Murphy was sliding gracefully into the
nomination for Governor. l have not
changed my mind
DO you think the Republican candi-
date will win in the election?:
81 have no doubt about the success
of the party The Republicans of New
Jersey are united.
The Senator remarked that he expected
that the Democrats will get together
and name a strong man as their candi-
date for Governor. But no matter whom
they selected the Republicans would be
victorious.
A telegram to Camden announced the
arrival of General Sewell and special
train of two cars was quickly made up
to take the family and friends of the Re-
publican leader to New York.
Included in the party were General
Sewelps daughters, Miss Sarah Sewell
and Mrs. Borie. accompanied by his SON
-in-law, Mr.. Borie; the Generals two
sons, Captain Robert Sewell and Will
lam Joyce Sewell, Jr. his private secre-
tary, N. J. Hummrille; Clerk in Chancery
Edward c. Stokes, Banking and Insur-
ance Commissioner William Bettle; Con-
gressman R. Wayne Parker, also met
General Sewell in New York.
1t was after 11:9O when the family
reached this city. A few minutes after
they had greeted General and Mrs. Sewe,l
the special train for Cape May was ready
and the party boarded it. Again the
wheeled chair was brought into requi-
sition, but on the station platform General
Sewell walked, supported on either side
by his stalwart sons. His step was slow
and unsteady, and he boarded the train
with difficulty. The start for the shore
was made soon after II o'clock.
General Sewel has been absent for sew
eral months in search of health. Most
of his time was spent at Carlsbad. but he
is little if any better than when he went
away. General Sewell is suffering from
a complication of diseases and his pres
ent condition is somewhat aggravated by
a local ailment, from which, however, no
serious consequences are anticipated.
Captain Robert Sewell yesterday denied
the report that his father was suffering
from Brights disease, having been assur-
ed by his physicians that such was not the
case. Although the family and General
Sewell all deny the seriousness of his con-
ditiou. 1t is apparent to all who see him
that the General is a very sick man.
Nevertheless, his pose yesterday was just
as erect as ever, although his tread was
not as firm as in days bygone. However,
he was plainly better than on his arrival
Later in the day, General Sewell was
induced to unbosom himself in a measure
ana to talk over the political situation
with a few of his more intimate friends.
General Sewell reiterated the statement
contained in one of his letters that he
favored the gubernatorial candidacy of
Franklin Murphy of Newark If General
Sewell retains this attitude. and there is
no reason to believe he will not do so, 1t
will probably mean the death-knell to all
organized opposition to the machine cam
didate.
In. view of his present physical condi-
tion peculiar significance attaches to the
declaration of General Sewell, that he in
tends to take an active part in the coming
campaign. No one realizes better than
he that eternal vigilance is necessary to
prevent an anti-Murphy outbreak and the
iron hand of General Sewell at the throt-
tie of the machine is calculated to effect
this result more certainly than any other
means
General Sewell is. probably fully aware
that had he come home with the avowed
intention of retiring from active politics,
even temporarily, 1t would have been the
signal for rallying of the anti Murphy
forces. Whether the generals condition
Is such as to actually permit Of his hgur-
ing actively in the campaign or not, the
effect Of his declaration will be the same
Il has been deaitteIy decided that