New-York tribune., 1902-01-21
NEW-JERSEY NEWS.
THE JERSEY SENATORSHIP
EVENLY MATCHED CONTEST AT TREN-
TON DRAWING TO A HEAD.

State House. Trenton. Jan 20 (SpeciaD.-If the Re-
publican joint caucus for the nomination of
didate United States Senator to be held to-
night instead of next Thursday. the situation
1t is scarcely permits doubt that John f. Dry
den would be the choice of the majority of the
berS of the legislature. Nor is there anything now
in sight to Indicate that this situation will be mate
rally changed in the ensuing three days. although
1t may be subject to revision before tomorrow
night Men who familiar with the history of
New-Jersey politics will remember that at least
twice within thirty years the whole aspect of
Senatorial situation not only changed but the
successful candidates for United States Senator
these two occasions were determined upon within
the space of half an hour before the joint caucus
ratified the selection
But tonight there is tangible evidence that Mr..
Dryden is far enough in the lead of the other can
ddates TO make his election much stronger prob
ability than the election of General Sewell
when was first chosen a United States Sena-
tor. Republicans whose sources of information are
OF a character which lends the greatest weight TO
their opinions including of the prominent Sena-
torial candidates himself have been free to declare
that the outlook at present for the success OF MI
Dryden is such as to warrant the conclusion that
unless something unusual and unexpected, even in
politics. occurs within the next seventy-two hours
he will be nominated by the Republican JOINT
It is unnecessary TO ask such Republicans why
thev hold 70 this opinion 1t is apparent almost
everywhere except the headquarters OF the other
candidates in the convention of members. VINO are
it is true. generally non-committal buI whose e6-
pressions lead as inevitably by one way of induc-
ton and another TO this conclusion do the down
right declarations of the outspoken supporters OF
Mr. Dryden. There is, moreover. reStlessness
among the members from several parts or me
emphasizes the statements made in The Tribune or
to break away S from strictly local Candidates
soon as the caucus has passed tne tta
thai i5aEe even If the break does no, come sooner VIA
SUPPORTERS CONFIDENT.
OF course the supporters OF ex-United States
Attorney General Griggs and ex-senator Stokes in
particular and of Mr. Baird Mr.. Gardner and Mr..
Gummere in general. do not concede that Mr. Dry
den has the lead with which he Is accredited. On
the contrary. many OF Them still maintain with a
dogged persistence that matter what the sur
face indications may be tonight there is deep
and strong silent undercurrent in favor OF either
Griggs Stokes which will be suddenly released
and overflow the Dryden influence with rush and
land the other of these two candidates in
the office of Senator But attached this declara-
ton there generally is not the steady resolute ana
DRYDEN are manifesting wherever they are found
and they are practically everywhere
OF the county courts tonight, that GTiggs is
% sTa G G aRa bner 5nst bre TH sy @ no"
In response to this opinion, Mr. Dryden's friends
Griggs's campaign few days ago. but it is i'm
Indeed several well informed Republicans who
are supporting Mr.. Dryden said that in view of
was more likely TO be dangerous to the success OF
Mr. DRYDEN than Mr. Griggs. but a South
Jersey Republican who is closer TO Mr.. Stokes than
any other Republican in the State said. referring
to this opinion that 1t hardly would be possible
10 elect Mr.. Stokes and Mr. Dryden seemed
inevitably be the coming Senstor. This Repub-
lcan. il should be said, is not only familiar with
Republican sentiment in South Jersey. but knows
Of every political movement that is made there
almost at the moment Of it's making He is in
deed. OF the four five who make and
direct Republican sentiment not cnly in that part
OF the State. but elsewhere as we'll.
INAUGURATION ADDS TO EXCITEMENT
This city is crowded tonight with Republicans
from all parts OF the State. drawn here by the
contest for Senator interest IN which never ceases
and the inauguration OF the new Governor, which
will take place tomorrow But the latter event is
almost completely overshadowed by the struggle
for the SenatorShp, although the fact self-evf-
dent that at least four OF the candidates are as
steadily falling TO the the passing hours
marking the elimination OF the contest This
position gives rise TO much speculation = whom
these already defeated candidates will throw their
influence
'It ought to be said in all candor" said OF the
best known Republicans in the State and a mem