New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-30

Wakelee elected to the HOUSE Of Assembly
by plurality of S61 over the highest candidate
on the Democratic ticket In the session OF 1899
he was member OF the committees bill re-
vision. boroughs and borough commissions. cleo
tons. printing and the State library He
elected to the Assembly in 1893 by plurality OF
964 the leading Democratic candidate. In his
second year in the Assembly he unanimously
chosen by the Republican the leader
of his party the floor of the House. He also
served chairman of the Assembly committees
the judiciary and appropriations, and was a
member of the committees boroughs and bor-
ough commissions the Industrial School for Girls,
the Soldiers Home and treasurers accounts. In
the session he also member OF the
special committee appointed to investigate the
State Industrial School for Girls. and regard
ed the conservative member of that committee.
1t at this session that Mr.. Wakelee intro
duced the bill for the preservation OF the Palisades.
similar bill was passed by the New-York Legis-
ature. The preservation of the Palisades had been
before the people of New-Jersey for years. many
schemes having been suggested to that end, none
of which. however, worked out to
practical conclusion. The scheme for preservation
as presented by Mr.. Wakeee is in full and
practical force. and result Of his advocacy.
assisted by OF his fellow members OF the
Assembly the Palisades Commission is now fact
and is rapidly possible acquiring title to the
Palisades, which will in due time bring about the
complete preservation of that grand scope Of
scenery Although there opposition from sew
eral sources and interests TO this bin
fully and successfully was the matter handled that
complete harmony of all the interests affected was
reached.
Mr. Wakelee was also greatly interested in the
bill introduced by Senator William NJ. Johnson
which provided for the appointment of board for
the equalization OF taxes in Bergen County.
Through his efforts IL passed by the Assembly.
This year. on account of the death of Assemblyman
Graves and the selection of Senator Johnson
president of the Senate. Mr.. Wakelee the only
Bergen County representative the floor of either
branch OF the legislature
So creditabe was Mr.. wakelees record in the
Assembly and many friends had been made by
him that it was confidently expected that in the
event of his return for another year he would be
made Speaker of the House. But before the nomi-
mating conventions met Senator William NJ John
son was appointed First Assistant Postmaster
General by President Mckinley. and the conven-
ton unanimously nominated Mr.. Wakelee to
coed Mr.. Johnson in the Senate for the unexpired
term Mr.. Wakelee elected by a majority of
about 2.3O0. In the last session of the Senate. he
was the chairman of the committee on public
health. and also was member OF the Senate COM
business In addition. he was a member OF the
joint committees on the industrial school for girls
the reform school for boys, and the school for
Mr. Wakelee. at this session. took an active
interest in legislation in regard TO the pollution of
the waters of the state, particularly of the Pas
sale River. While favorable TO the general scheme
as suggested by the people fayoring the cleansing
County omitted from the sewage district proposed
10 be formed. His reason for advocating this omis
uents. because of the fact that Bergen County
taking OF its own sewage. and il not
deemed wise to compel that county TO contribute
70 the payment for abattng a nuisance for which
1t could justly be held responsible The JUS
tice of Mr. Wakelee's opposition in this matter
so well recognized that the other members OF the
Senate unanimously consented TO the motion OF Mr.
Wakelee that Bergen County should be eliminated
from the original scheme There were many other
bills which affected different parts Of Bergen
County. all of which were judiclously looked
after by Senator Wakelee and his Bergen County
associates in the Assembly that they became laws.
The record shows that every bill introduced by
Mr.. Wakelee and passed by the Senate signed
by Governor voorhees, without opposition
Up TO within a few years Bergen County
OF the strongholds OF the Democracy OF the State
and confidently relied upon TO return a
Democratic majority were Hudson, Hunterdon.
Sussex and Warren counties But by the
slant and united efforts OF such stanch and de-
termned Republicans as First Assistant Post
master-General johnson; C. e Breckenridge, OF
the State Republican Committee: Hugh Herrick
until recently the Editor Of The Hackensack
Republican: Surrogate David A Pell and others
whom defeat could not discourage and all of
whom the warm friends and able supporters
Of Mr. Wakelee. Bergen County entered the col
Of Republican counties, where IL seems to
have come TO stay.
Mr. WakeIee is OF pleasing personality and a
tireless and active Republican. In the last cam
paign he engaged constantly in addressing
public meetings. and his force as a speaker en-.
larged his reputation as able advocate OF the
principles of his party.