New-York tribune., 1902-12-04
MURPHY, DRYDEN, STOKES.
MEMBERSHIPS POLITICAL LEADER WILL
BE ONE OF THEM-NO BAD BLOOD.

BE ONE OF THEM-NO BAD BLOOD.
Trenton. n. J.. Dec. 3 (SpeciaD-The process
of developing a Republican leader for New
Jersey is proceeding with considerab bic rap1dlty.
and it is believed that before the incom-
ing session of the legislature puts UP the shut
ters One figure will loom large and distinct
overshadowing all the others. The name of that
figure is present a matter of speculation
depending largely on the spectacles used. Some
people think that 1t surely is Governor FRANK
lin Murphy; others just certain that Sen
ator John F Dryden is the man, while many
more cannot be convinced that it is anybody
but Edward C. Stokes.
Each of the men suggested has elements of
strength. and much will depend on circum-
stances which cannot be measured or
gagged. AS Governor, with two years more TO
serve, Mr.. Murphy has a tremendous advantage.
One source of his power is the patronage at
his disposal; but that is just likely as not
to be hurtful rather than strengthening.
For instance, at the ensuing legislative ses-
sion the Governor will make eighty appoint
ments. and there will probably be not less than
four hundred and twenty aspirants left out in
the cold It is mighty hard job to distribute
Offices in such way to build up strong
personal machine. please the public at the same
time. and do it in such way not 10 incur
Governor can steer through these difficulties
successfully and, besides, make himself felt on
the right side of legislative questions, the odds
should be in his favor
How much Senator Dryden cares for the lead
ership is undetermined question Men who
have known him for years say that he is per
fectIy satisfied to crown long and honorable
business life Of hard work nd achievement with
the Senatorship: that he wouldn't give brass
farthing for the leaders mantle now awaiting
an owner, and that he has no taste for the
troubles and annoyances which go with It. In
deed 1t is pretty plainly limited in quar-
ters that he is being pushed into apparent
effort for the honor against his will by others,
who are not so popular he Is, and who bank
on being allowed to WELD the power while he
should the title.
The third man in the trio is Edward Cayser
Stokes who drifted into the House of Assem-
bly, from Cumberland County some twelve years
ago unheralded and unknown and without
wealth or pull" He is now Clerk In Chancery
at salary of $4,000. is president Of the Me-
chanics' National Bank of Trenton, and is, like
wise. the New-Jersey representative of the rail
road companies whose interests were intrusted
to the late Senator Sewell The power of these
Influences added to Mr.. Stokess personal force.
make him man to be reckoned with, and ne Is
never left out of consideration when the wise
sit down to settle things
Back of all this play for the leadership are
the nominations for Governor and United states
Senator two years hence. Under the State con-
stitution Governor Murphy is ineligible to sue
ceed himself If he has eye on Senator
Kean's seat he is keeping mighty quiet ABOUT IT.
But he is believed to be tacitly, if not actlvely
in a movement to prevent Senator kean sue
ceedine himself The other persons VINO are
counted on to throw cobbestones in Mt keah 5
path are John w. Grggs. Congressman Chaties Hal',
Fowler Edward c. Stokes. William NJ Jonh-
son David Baird, State Treasurer Briggs sen.
ator Theodore Strong-in fact practically aii Oh
the prominent Republican leaders OF the otate
rri+h the excention of Congressman Louden-
slayer Major Carl Lentz, Colonel oafnuet -
Dickinson and Robert Carson among os+ tnos+
who are counted in the anti-kean movement
the disposttion seems to be this: II South Jei-
sew wants the Governorship, Edward e Ssohes Se
will be the man, and John w; Srlsss Sator, -
to have the call the United states oeiiaeIU,
shin But in case William M Johnsons neaItn
permits, and he Is pushed for the Govern9rsmnp mp
by his warm personal and pontlcal I[le.iu' @ he
Governor Griegs then Stokes may nave 'he
Senatorship .L. rro
gramn,e do not seem to have asked themselves
What Senator Kean will be doing Wh1le tneS or
perfecting and carrying 1t OUT. Mr- heda s | hs
been through number or eanlpAisno 49,, a'ts State
cut his eyeteeth long ago. He knows tne 4.dL 'itL
thoroughly. and is personally acqudlli.esu ~,
practically all of the county leaders anu psS
w ti md energetic support of Congressman
Toudenslager and Major Lentz VINO unoer sLana @
perfectly the art of playing the politcn, u, t tb
AGAINST heavy odds. Senator kean is not tne
man to give up easily. and he doesn puIpust t
being driven out if he knows it. he mas yee
nearly two years to repair his fences. anu a.
great deal can be done in that time: ms II ro
nrofess to be absolutely and unequlvocaliy so 80
,bot ha will win hands down. ana that sotile y.
the men now counted against hm VIII De tt lounu
in the front rank working for his re-elec..oH @
mben the time comes to do the real WORK. ne
stories of a formidable and impregnaple am
Kean combination they refer to contemporary
as hot cir ~ 49,. t,.od
7, anv case there are no signs of bad oicoo
anyrwhere The contests will be all III the ialli
Nv and # is not likely that anything VIII result
fron, them TO benefit the common enemy. ne
T1en,ocrats will be too busy with their own
troubles to notice what the neishoors are uo
inc lanes Smith jr. wants to go back 10 tne
Senate. in his own county he Will ma arFayso
against HIN ali the friends OF ex-Mayor , tss.
nso,r and II is of the poss1bllties 1hdt
sheriff Nicor may lead the anti-Sn1i1n eonc
tingen+ In Hudson. the banner democratic
,I, eS of fhe State tar and feathers would De
tbe nsnaIty for any legislator voting for Mr.
Smith