The Washington times., 1902-01-12
Former Attorney General
Has the Pole.
LEADS IN SENATORSHIP FIGHT
Eight Candidates in tue Race for
the New Jersey Prize Use of
Money in the Contest Is Froryned
Ipon-Chancery Clerk Edward &.
Stokes Il Very Close Second.

there are eight candidates announced as
in the race for the Senatorship, only three
are seriously considered. These are John
W. Griggs, former Attorney General Of
the United States; Edward C. Stokes,
clerk in chancery, and John F. Dryden,
the millionaire president of the
Prudential Insurance Company. Their
relative chances are about in the order
named.
There is a groundswell of public opin-
ion in favor of Griggs that betrays signs
Of developing into a tidal wave. 1t is
based upon the general sense OF nis pre-
eminent fitness.
Praise for Griegs.
New Jersey should count herself fortu-
nate" said prominent New Jersey court
official this morning, in having a ran
like Griggs, in the present tuacture, to
step into General Sewelrs place. 1t would
be a public misfortune for the State to
miss the opportunity t. be represented
by this able man. At this time and for
some years to come the questions which
he is specially well qualified to discuss
will be the principal subjects CT Con-
gressional action.
There are few men in the country
better qualified to grapple with and help
solve these momentous and perplexing
problems. 1t was his clear and strong
brain that formulated and fought to a
triumphant vindication in the Supreme
Court the logical relations of the home
Government to our recently acquired de-
pendencies. All the questions that are
looming up, involving our tariff and
other relations with the Philippines, Porto
Rico. and the young Republic of Cuba, v i'll
tax TO the utmost the best resources of
American statesmanship.
Is Well Trained,
There is no man in the country who
could bring a better trained and more re-
sourceful brain to their solution than
Mr.. Griggs. With him as her Senator
New Jersey would take rank in that body
with the States that send their ablest
men there term after term, without re-
gard to any less worthy considerations
than their eminent fitness"
These views are shared by the people
in all parts of the Stately politi-
clans, business men, farmers, me-
chanics, and workingmen. This domi-
mating sentiment is impressing itself upon
the members of the Legislature, and will
probably compel recognition.
A not remote second to Mr., Griggs is
Edward c. Stokes. He is also a brainy
man, of recognized ability and public vir-
tue. He has of late years been in close
and warm touch with the Republican
and he stands well with them
all. He Is also persona grata with rail-
roads, although he is not "a thick and
thin" corporation man. They know that
he is intelligent and fair-minded and is
too Independent and honest to wrong
either the railroads or the people.
Dryden n Stranger.
Mr.. Dryden is comparative stranger
TO the politicians. He is known in this
contest as the man with the barrel"
the impression this might con-
vcy is not fair to him. He is very rich,
being worth from $1,000, 900 to so, 900, 600,
and drawing a salary of 100000 a year
Is president of an insurance company.
He is a gentleman of scholarly and re- |
ined tastes, a graduate Of Yale, a grace |
ul speaker, and a very able and expert |
need business man
Ii is probably not his fault that the air |
s surcharged with mephitic rumors that |
lis barrel may be tapped and the can |
'ass for this exalted place tainted by that |
iind of influence. 1t would be a rude |
hook to the people of New Jersey to |
ave the public choice. based on shining |
rerit 7yerborne by the brute force OF |
money.
EoodIe Not Feared.
There is, so far as is known, no con-
rete evidence on which to base these /
umors, but they are abroad, and there
5 a deep and deadly fear in the hearts |
n as deciding factcr in the struggle.
t is doubtful, however, If any OF the
andidates, several of whom are million
hes, viii resort to this method OF war
are; first. because 1t would awaken a
torn Ct Indignation, and, second, be-
au5e there is little purchasable mate
ial in this years Legislature.
The legislative session Will begin on
tuesday, afternoon next, and all the SEN
torial candidates and their legion OF
lends and workers will be here, throng-
lg the hotels, on Monday night. 1t is
together probable that before the week
out the lines will be more distinctly
efined. and the break from some Of the
npossible candidates begun.
When the stampede once sets in GrigSS |
nd Stokes would be the gaincrH on
aytt Il