The Jersey City news., 1901-04-08

TO HONOR Stokes
Cumberland Republicans to
Give Him a Reception
at Milleville.
MINCH HIS SUCCESSOR
Senator Reeds Leadership in
Somerset Receives a
Severe Blow.
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city News,.l

Especial to 1.-THE Jersey City News"l
TRENTON, April s. 190i-The political
event of the immediate future will be the
reception to be rendered the new Clerk
in chancery, Senator Edward C. Stokes,
by his admiring friends and constituents
at Millville next Friday night. While
this will be distinctly Cumberland
County affair, it will have State signi-
canoe because of Clerk Stokes's position
as a Republican leader, and many of the
most prominent men of the party from all
parts OF New Jersey will participate. 1t
Is surmised, too, that this reception will
bring to the front the probable success
sor of Stokes in the Senate so far as the
Republican nomination is concerned. In
this connection it is said to be the inten-
ton of the political powers TO push for
ward former Assemblyman Bloomfield H.
Minch, who figured conspicuously as
candidate for that honor three years ago
1t comes to Trenton from unquestioned
authority that -Iinch is to be the man,
and that the necessary tip will go out
TO the party workers to turn in for him.
Certain it is that some of the most power
ful influences are at work to bring this
plan to head.
MIR. Minch's strongest point is that he
gracefully retired from the field three
years ago, when there We're indications
OF fierce factional fight for the NOM
nation, and a serious split in the party
in Cumberland. When thinks looked
darkest and his friends felt sure that he
mad bright chance of winning Minch
gave way, turned all his energies toward
the nomination of Senator Stokes for
third term, and the two men have been
very stanch friends ever since, with all
that that implies. Minch is one of the
most popular men in the county, and
When he was member of the Assembly
he had a host of warm friends at the
capital. These will be glad to welcome
him back to the higher post of honor, and
they will do all they can to aid him.
While he is not an orator Minch is one
of those quiet workers whose efforts tell
when they start to do anything, and ne
will be able to carry out the plans of his
lilustrious predecessor, who will be so
greatly missed from the halls of legisla-
ton.
For the very reason that Senator
Stokes was foremost in practically all
matters of the highest Importance in the
Legislature much interest centres in his
Ii
the Cumberland people will be watched
with keenest interest by the Republicans
in all parts of the State. There is said
to be something of scramble. and it will
require the fine touch of leaders hand
to straighten out the matter. Several
names besides that of Minch have been
mentioned, but the information here is
to the effect that in little while he will
DA entirely wit a,,1
thing will be harmonious. Cumberland
is naturally a Republican county, but
once in awhile they get into such fac
tional fights that the Democrats walk
away with the good things. This hap
pened last fall, when the Democrats,
aided by sundry sore Republicans, elect
ed County Clerk and Sheriff. Since
then the disaster has come to be regarded
as a wholesome lesson to the malcon-
tents who show marked disposition to
gather under the big umbrella.
The reception to Leader Stokes is to
be unique thing in the politics of New
Jersey. The idea originated with Colonel
Tom Austin the State Oyster Superin-
tendent, and one of his most trusted and
confidential friends at home. There had
been talk of presenting The retiring Sena-
his long term OF faithful service 10 the
people. and the general idea of what fo.m
the testimonial should take was very II
definite, indeed. Some suggested one thing
and some alother, when the Colonel
came forward with his proposition for the
public reception as best suited to the man
sought to be nonored The idea took ni-
medialely, and plans were begun for car
rxi1p 051f haf
chance to head it off. The reception will
be a big thing, quite the biggest thing
South Jersey has ever seen in that line,
and 1t will be strange, indeed, if the
Stokes boom for Governor it not brought
out with full force and vigor, in spite of
what he may wish. Many men prominent
in State politics and affairs of business
will be there to testify their regard for
the man who has taken such leading
part in matters pertaining to the public
at large and done his work so modestly
and so unseifshy as TO win the warm ad-
niration of al men without regard 10
politics There will be big crowd from
Bridgeton, where Minch lives, and it will
nave brass band to enliven things All
the country towns will be well represent
ed and a big delegation will go down
from this city, where Clerk Stokes mas al
mos. as many friends as at home
Senator Sewell has decided to remain at
the Hot Springs of Virginia for a while
longer, as the rest has done him world
of good, and nothing will be done toward
the reorganization of the Republican
State Committee until he does arrive
home. The movement for the selection
of David Baird for State chairman will
not suffer from delay, however, as it has
been taken up by some of the most in
fuential party leaders and has proved
one of the most popular ideas of the
day. 1t may be possible to learn some
thing definite at the Millville gathering
of the powers.
Regarding the State Craftsmanship.
Clerk Stokes, who had been talked of
for the place, says:--"I do not want the
place. My duties as a bank official and
as clerk of the Chancery Court will keep
me very busy. The conditions next fall
will require the chairman of the State
Committee to be at headquarters every
day, where he may be in constant touch
with the speakers and the local leaders
My idea is to open headquarters in New
ark and have a branch office in Trenton.
think If this was done the committee
could do more effective work than will