Evening star., 1902-01-02
FOR SENATORIAL HONORS
MANY CANDIDATES TALKED Of IN
NEW JERSEY CONTEST.
Former Attorney General Griggs Has
strong SuppOrt-Uncertainf
in the Situation.

I'm New Jersey the new years interest
is centered the election of a successor to
the late Senator William ]. Sewell,' said
William NJ. Johnson, first assistant post
master general, at the Arlington yesterday
whittier he had just returned from a
three weeks stay in the state indicated.
-Four candidates are in the field and all
four are men prominent In the present re-
publican party organization In New Jer-
sey. The contest Is really only just be-
gun, but it will terminate January 2S so
the period of active campaigning will be
short. 1t is altogether too soon now to
anticipate the result.
''Washingtonians will follow the candi-
dacy of former Attorney General John w
Griggs closely and sympathetically, know
His residence here while in the Department
of Justice and his pronounced ability make
him figure of unusual interest to the CAPT
tai. He announced himself as a candidate
only few days ago.
The others who are in the race are John
F. Dryden of Newark, very wealthy man,
who Is now president OF the Prudential Life
Insurance Company; Edward c. Stokes, a
young man of very attractive personality,
former state senator, and now state clerk
in chancery; and Barker Gummere of Mer-
Ger county, one of the strongest republicans
in Trenton. Mr.. Stokes served in the legis-
lature many years and is very popular.
The two others are expected to be grow
ing candidates and gather strength the
campaign continues.
Race Open to Everybody.
ut is impossible to forecast the outcome.
AS there will be no ad interim appointment
the race is practically open to everybody.
But 1 think Mr.. Griggs Is the strongest
man. He is one Of the most prominent fig
ures in the United States. In ability and
experience he is easily the foremost man
in the state republican organization. 1t
may be I am strongly a Griggs partisan.
I knew him when we were both boys. We
are practically neighbors.
I'VE are cousins. And have the greatest
possible admiration for his ability. My sec
ond choice would be Mr.. Stokes. whom
have known also for many years. He is
very popular. Mr.. Dryden will come to the
legislature with the twelve votes Of New
ark pledged to his support, and that is a
very good start. Mr.. Gummere is a strong
man. too. In all this 1t must be remem
bered that Senator Kean's attitude is an
uncertain factor.
THE legislature convenes on the 14th of
the month. week later Governor Voor-
hees will be succeeded by Franklin Muir
ply. The election occurs two weeks after
the assembling Of the legislature"
Mr.. Griggs candidacy Is in opposition to
the regular Organization" which has Sc
lected as it's candidate State Senator
Stokes. The latter was the late Senator
Sewelrs right-hand man, and has been
thoroughly trained in the political methods
which operated so successfully in the late
senator's hands. 1t is conceded that with
Mr. Griggs' national reputation. earned
during his administration Of the Depart
ment of Justice under the late President
Mckinley, he will be a most formidable
rival even to the regular candidate but
it is intimated here that in addition he is
to receive the support of the potent Penn
Sylvania railroad influence