New-York tribune., 1902-01-15
NEW-JERSEY NEWS.
RESULT STILL IN DOUBT.
REPUBLICAN JOINT CAUCUS AT THE
END OF NEXT WEEK

/
for United States Senator. which had been al
most as briskly taken up this morning where it
was discontinued last night interrupted by
the organization OF the legislature. and again
taken up to be continued throughout the week,
the scene being shifted to the several counties
of the State by the adjournment of the legisat-
ure for the week After the nights work the
supporters of John F. Dryden were more vgor-
ously than heretofore claiming that their can
didate was in the lead for the Senatorshp In
deed, the majority opinion that this was true
prevailed although the friends of John w.
Griggs resolutely as ever maintained that
their candidate had not lost any ground. In
fact, they declared that while Mr.. Dryden ap-
parently had been making gains Mr.. Grggs
also had been gaining the inference being that
David Baird. Barker Gummere and other can
didates of lesser prominence had not been able
to hold their men firmly in line. 1t was ear
nesty argued by the supporters of Mr.. Griggs
that Mr.. Baird could not get any votes in North
Jersey. and that If he could draw together
all of the South Jersey members. with the ex-
ception Of Ocean County, he could not muster
more than sixteen or eighteen votes; and it was
contendcd that when this situation was fully
realized by the members from that part of the
State the Baird forces would begin to break.
WHAT GRIGGS MEN SAID
IN support OF tnelT contention tne OrlSgS men
said that it apparent to everybody who had
normal hearing capacity and ordinary intelli-
gence that Mr.. Dryden could not get more than
a vote two south of Newark, and that it was
up to this time impossible to count a vote for
him south of the Raritan River. Furthermore
the friends of Mr. Griggs asserted that Mr.. Dry
den could not get any support worth mentioning
anywhere in Middle Jersey
The advocates of Mr.. Dryden, scarcely paus
ing long enough to argue that from the stand
point of the GTiggs II was clear that they
recognized the fact or confessedly admitted
that Mr.. Dryden was the most dangerous oppo-
nent of the choice OF Essex County. smilingly re-
sumed their work In the interest Of Mr. Dryden
and asserted that, even from the point of view
of the supporters of Mr.. Griggs. they had, by
logical sequence, the right to be pleased with the
situation. Their confidence was manifested by
the assurance with which they continued the
activity and aggressiveness Of their campaign.
Several Republicans of undoubted prominence
and whose conversation had to-day, as it has
long had. the force of authority in party coun-
ellis, quietly maintained that the dangerous man
and the man most to be feared by both Grlggs
and Dryden ex-senator Edward C. Stokes
And IL was true that everywhere were indca-
tions that he had strong and loyal following
The truth is" said of the most sagacious
party leaders, that Mr.. Stokes would be the
man most to be feared In the contest II he really
wanted TO be a United States Senator"
The progress of the supporters of Mr. Stokes
was not little retarded by talk TO this effect
and especially by the rumor that he was in the
contest 10 aid Mr.. Griggs.
WHEN STOKES MAY BE STRONG.
Digent and direct inquiry as TO the truth Of
this last assertion failed TO find the slightest
evidence to confirm 1T, nor did any one who holds
close political or personal relations to Mr.. Stokes
give this report credence for a moment. Mr.
Stokes reiterated what he had so often said be-
fore, which that this is a friendly con-
test, and all of the candidates are my personal
and political friends" From anything that Mt
Stokes would say II impossible without en-
tering upon that sort of speculation which was
to-day. and has been from the first unwar-
ranted by either his words or his conduct but in
which enthusiastic and presumptuous politicians
are inclined to indulge. to connect him with this
rumor What position Mr.. Stokes may ulti-
mately take nobody knows. and when guesswork
is the only resource II is not worth while to
guess. What is popularity known In the political
Vernacular as bluff" has had a wide oppor-
tunity to spread itself here since Yesterday and
1t has spread itself accordingly but scarcely 10
the extent OF misleading any one who has
ordinary sources of information within his
reach.
One OF the most impressive reasons. however
FOR the opinion that Mr. Stokes might be a dan
BeIouS CaHulddte, gwen by a politician whose
astuteness and cleverness in State campaigns
have long been recognized. was that in the
event of North Jersey being unable TO elect either
Nr Dryden or MIR. Griggs the members from
that part Of the State naturally would turn 10
the candidate from South Jersey who had the
strongest following in other parts OF the state
because of his friendliness for all Of the candi
dates. and who would meet all the requirements
of the locality contention"
The prevailing opinion here at the close of the
legislative session to-day was that by next Mon
day night. when the Legislature again Will meet
.he SITUATION VIII nave become so crystallized
that ii will not be difficult to forecast with rea-
sonable accuracy the outcome
REED WANTS TO BE TREASURER.
1t was authoritatively announced this morn,
ing that Senator Charles A Reed. of Somerset
County. had declared himself as a candidate for
State Treasurer, the vacancy 10 which ex-Mayor
Frank o. Briggs Of Trenton recently was an
pointed I'D interim by Governor Voorhees, Som
ator Reeds friends said that he was making an |
earnest effort to obtain the pledges of the Re- |
publican Senators in his support and that his |
candidacy was favorably regarded by State Com
troller Hancock. Barker Gummere. Congressman |
LOudenSlager and others.
What doubtless was intended to be a bomb |
shell in the Senatorial camp of David Raird y,as |
facsimile letter and official envelope addressed
TO Edgar Cole. who a member of the ssay,,
bly, from Camden County in 1892. by Mr.. Baird |
The letter was accompanied by printed circu-
lar, to which no name signed, and was sent |
TO several of the Senators. The circular AYERS
that Mr.. Baird was instrumental, or endeavored /
to be instrumental In promoting the racetrack |
legislation which disgraced New-Jersey ten /
years ago 1t was said by Mr.. Baird's support |
erS that the same circular and letter had bean
used for political purposes in Camden County
in times past. and that 1t was not worthy OF |
serious consideration a factor I'm the present |
Senate contest.
1t was decided late this evening that on Ian
uary % the caucus to select the choice of the |
Republicans for United States Senator will be |
held