New-York tribune., 1901-10-07

RECOLLECTIONS OF EX-SENATOR KETCHAM
OF BOTH CANDIDATES.

OF BOTH CANDIDATES.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Lincoln
Club in Newark the other night ex-senator George
w. Ketcham who has long been prominent in Essex
County politics, made brief speech. in which he,
with peculiar force and emphasis. contrasted
part of the public career of Franklin Murphy with
that of James VI. Seymour Mr. Ketcham said
that when he elected a member of the State
Senate, of which election grew the notorious
'rump' Senate of 1894 Mr.. Murphy, with singular
foresight. predicted the trouble which followed, and
which. after several weeks of delay in organizing
the Senate. caused by Democratic tactics in en-
deavorng to retain control, eventually set
tied by the opinion of the late Chief Justice
Beasey, himself a strong Democratic partisan. 1t
first believed that Mr. Murphy's opinion
was unfounded, and that his fears were groundless.
But, Mr. Ketcham continued. Mr.. Murphy adhered
to his view and was invited to meet the Repub-
can Senators and Senators-elect in conference
at Trenton. At that conference Mr.. Murphy gave
in detail his forecast of what was about to occur
Senator (now GOVERNOR Voorhees, then expressed
the opinion that Mr.. Murphy entirely wrong in
his opinion and that such trouble would happen.
But" said Mr. Ketcham. lit did happen, and it
happened in fact and in detail, just as Mr. Murphy
had predicted 1t would. and throughout the
memorable contest his advice and counsel were not
only frequently sought. but proved to be of great
assistance the Republican Senators. L date MIR.
Murphy's appearance prominent factor and
director in State politics from the time that the
State was redeemed from the control of the Demo-
cratic party and since then his sagacity as a
leader has been amply attested to by the uniform
success OF the Republican party In the state
Mr.. Ketcham then turned his attention to Mayor
Seymour, the Democratic candidate for Governor
He said that although MIR. Seymour could not De
measured by a State political standard, he never
having been prominent in other than municipal
politics his public career In Newark could be taken
as an index to what might be expected of him in
broader field
along In about 1889 or $780, Mr.. Ketcham said,
''Nfr Seymour was a member of what then
known as the Newark Aqueduct Board and l was
a member of the Common Council. The need Of an
increased water supply in Newark was then imm-
nent. and the cost of it was sure to be large The
late Senator A +. r. Martin In order to meet a
public demand for economy got a law passed by
the legislature which prevented the Aaueduct Board
from making water contract without the consent
of the Common Council. Knowing that the need
scdate soon @pePeops under tRe new law
the appointment OF committee by the common on
that COMMITTEES was made the chairman, Several
meetings were held. at one OF which a monon was
one of these meetings Mr.. Seymour, playing to the
galleries & t to bis 70
would make him the most popular man IN NeWaEk thSn
Mr. Katcbar on, IN sad niS There was sathering at
which Mr.. Seymour. the late Mayor Haines myself
ra course. down for speech He spoke in the most
audable terms of the beautiful city Of Newark ark
things praised TO the skies and upward the acQu-
sition of the city's water supply as one OF It's
greatest and most benedcent achievements. When
he got to this point, Mayor Haines who sat next
to me- gave me such a vigorous poke in the ribs
with his elbow to be painful. but forgot 1t a
moment later when he sad DO you hear what
Der that when getting the water contract
through he opposed 1t and said that his opposition
1t would make him the most popular man IN
Newark? recalled the Mayors words on that
OCCASION and thought then. as still think. that
his assurance at that time IN practically taking
a part OF the credit to himself for something to
b{ah hn hnd hanv a
prophetic index OF his political assurance and OF
what might be expected In the future II he should
be ntrusted with higher Office
Mr.: Ketcham. speaking Of the Republican outlook
in the present campaign. said that he did not
believe that Mayor Seymour would receive or come
anywhere receiving, majority In Newark
but he did believe that Mr.. Murphy would be hand
somey elected. Nevertheless. Mr.. Ketcham said
I'VE would be unwise not to exert every effort and
to every legitimate means at our command
Danger lies IN apathy. and work means success"