The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-02-12

ly disposes of one fiction. Senator Pit
ney retires from the political arena by his
own preference, and is evidently better
pleased than he would have been to be
elected governor. But several other
stories equally without foundation with
the one just mentioned, still keep the neio
with more OF less languishiDg vitality.
One of these is that there is movement
to bring Attorney General Griggs for
ward again as gubernatorial candidate.
No one in Passaic county knows of any
proposition involving the denomination of
Governor Griggs or imagines that he
would entertain such an idea if it were
suggested to him. Still other stories in
innate that large crop of gubernatorial
aspirants has sprung up in consequence
of the retirement of Senator Pitney from
the lists and that the lightning is playing
around the heads of about dozen dis
tinguished gentlemen in as many different
these gentlemen, any one of whom would
make first-class governor, and more than
one of whom is likely to be chosen to that
Office in due time, entertains any idea of
becoming candidate at this time. Sena-
tor Stokes, who is among those mentioned,
is one of Franklin Murphy's most active
and loyal supporters. Ex-senator John
son, of Bergen, who is another, several
months ago declared that his name was
not to considered Senator McCarter, of
Essex, is out and out for Murphy, the
man from his own county Col. William
Barbour, of this county, is in the same
category, and so on. 1t may be said
that the probability is that not one of the
gentlemen named in the list referred to
entertains the thought of contesting with
Franklin Murphy for the nomination for
governor, and that there is no such move
ment in prospect anywhere in the state.
The nomination of Mr.. Murphy, in fact,
foregone conclusion as any event subject
to human disposition can be- And this
conclusion, it must be admitted, is not on
ly practically certain, but a logical and
fortunate one for the Republican party.
No man has labored longer or more I'M
selfishly in the service of the party than
Mr.. Murphy has. None has done more to
formulate and establish the grand record
which is that party's clearest title to the
confidence of the people, than he. And,
above all this, no man could administer
the executive Office with greater ability,
sounder business judgment, or more to
the benefit and honor of the state than
this well-tried citizen. 1t should be re-
membered that Mr.. Murphy has not at
this unusually early day been placed in
the attitude of candidate for governor
by his own motion. He was not seeking
this or any other Office. On the contrary
it is well known that he wanted to retire
from the active warfare of politics for
several years, but was constantly redraft-
ed into the service of his party by other
leaders, among whom his always close
friend and co-worker, Carrot A. Hobart
was conspicuous, because they felt that
his wise counsel and jealous efforts in the
cause of Republicanism could not be
spared. At the time the last gubernato-
rial convention of the party in this state
was held in 1898, Mr. Murphy went to
that convention definitely resolved in his
own mind to serve no longer as chairman
the State Republican committee. His
purpose was so unanimously and energet
ically opposed by all the leaders of the
party that he once more reluctantly yield
ed to their desire and again buckled on
his armor and led the party to two con-
secutive victories. So Mr.. Murphy has
not been forced to the front by personal
ambition, the Vaccinations of leaders, or
the use of the great power and opportu-
nifty which his position in the party gave
him. The honorable distinction is his of
having been months ago chosen for prefer
ment by singularly voluntary and con-
current impulse of the voters of his party
throughout the state Therefore he must
be regarded as it's logical candidate in the
strongest and best sense of that term.
The situation is unique in the history of
the Republican party in our state. 1t is
not only in the highest degree compli-
mentary to the prospective candidate, but
it is an honor of which the great county
of which he is resident should, and
doubtless will be, very proud. Essex
county, notwithstanding its commanding
position in the state, has not supplied
governor to New Jersey for more than
quarter of century. 1t is inconceivable
that its Republican leaders and voters will
not be eager to testify to their apprecia-
ton of this practically unanimous tender
by the Republicans of our state, to one of
their fellow citizens, of its highest office,
with the important prestige and advantage
which would accrue, by such united
and enthusiastic support of that choice as
will make futile any effort which the
Democratic party can possibly put forth
to restore the control of the state govern
ment to that discredited party. That gov
eminent has been thoroughly cleansed
and is now in every way admirable. AS
one looks back upon the conditions which
existed prior to 1895, it seems like the re-
view of dreadful nightmare. The COM
parison of records and achievements
should alone ensure the continued SUI
premacy of the Republican party in New
.Jersey The nomination of a candidate
for governor from the great Republican
stronghold of Essex, should be double
assurance of such victory next fall as
that party has justly earned That vic
tory could only be diverted by an ingrati-
tude and default in local pride which is
and impossible. The united
and enthusiastic support which the Re
publicans of Essex may be expected to
give to Mr. Murphy, will be rivalled in
every county in the state. The result will
set the final rivet to the claim of that par
ty that it has permanently placed New
Jersey in the line of Republican states.
So let those furries that are drifting
through the air blow themselves away
with the fleeing gales of February. The
sky is rapidly clearing and all is going to
be well.
g M#,.-
This signature 10 on every box of the genuine