New-York tribune., 1902-01-04
CHOICE BY LEGLSLATU
A GROUP OF SIN Observation-Disclosures
CANDIDACY OF EX-ATTORNEY
GENERAL GRIGGS.

Paterson, Jan. (SpeciaD.-The matter OF the
most vital Importance. viewed from State and
Federal standpoint. to come before the next
session Of the legislature of New-Jersey. which
will begin Tuesday. January a. will be the
election Of United States Senator to succeed
the late Senator SeweIl. While the death OF
General Sewen because Of the fatal nature OF
his prolonged Illness hardly can be said TO have
precipitated this issue upon the legislature and
the people. it has awakened interest almost.
If not quite unprecedented in the history OF the
State. Beside it the vacancy caused by the
death of State Treasurer Swain and the several
important places to be filed by the incomIns
Governor sink mOmentarily into comparative
insignifcance Indeed. it may be said that SO
absorbing had the interest in the selec-
ton Of a United States Senator become that
other matters and issues were for the time being
almost forgotten.
The desire OF the people generally and OF the
representative element of the Republican party
that the choice of Senator should not fall below
the high standard set and maintained by SEN
ator SeweH is paramount, as the responsibility
for the selection is fixed and every hand de-
clared by an unmistakable public sentiment
None other than man OF high character. COM
manding ability and aggressive force will be
acceptable TO indorsed by the popular will.
The duty of the Republican legislature. there
fore to the party and the people is so plain
that there can be no valid excuse for mistake,
or any possible expedient Of party escape from
an error in the discharge OF this grave RESPONSE
bility nor Is there any reason why such mis-
take should be made.
THE GROUP OF ASPIRANTS.
Already six conspicuous Republicans have
been named as aspirants for United States SEN
ator and others are waiting but hardly expect
ing to be called. The six are ex-United States
Attorney General John W. Griggs. Of Passaie
County; John F. Dryden. president of the Pru-
Dental Insurance Company of America. and a
citizen OF Essex County; Edward c. Stokes.
chancery clerk from Cumberland County; David
Baird, a member of the State Board of Asses
sors. Of Camden County, and Barker Gummere,
County Clerk of Mercer County. From this
group the legislature should have no difficulty
in making such selection as would meet all of
the requirements and eXlgencies which the Office
Of Crited States Senator entails, and one which
would be eminently satisfactory to the RepubIi-
cans of the State. The disposition in any part
of the State to COnfine the determination OF this
issue to a geographical limit is not without the
merit of local pride. but II is in no sense pre-
eminent. The matter is one Of fitness, pure and
simple. and not one of environment What is
wanted. and what indeed is necessary TO the
welfare OF the State. is the best ability integ-
rity and character that the State mas to give.
II is the whole State. and not any one part OF IL
that is 70 be represented in the highest delib-
erative body in the land. 1t is so well remenn-
bered that it is scarcely necessary TO recall the
fact that in the great State Of New-Yorx where.
If anywhere, the question of locality should be
paramount. two United States Senators servine,
at the same time were the residents of ona ~
the smaller cities of that Commonwealth
LOCALITY QUESTION.
In fact. there is not now. and never has been.
any we'll established or ironboupd precedent In
the matter of location for the selection OF
United States Senator'S. nor has there ever been
time when State locality could worthiIy ske
precedence over representative fitness in an is
sue in which the whole people were concerned
In business the duty of selection is plain ana i'm,
perative. and there is no reason why the condi-
tions being the same, il should he otherwise in
politics in New-Jersey or elsewhere. These are
the sentiments now being expressed BY reDrA-
sentative Republicans every where, and they are
in no sense made personally applicable 10 any
locality of the state. Between the Candidates
themselves the contest has far been one OF
friendly political rivalry, and there is no .ndica-