Bridgeton pioneer., 1903-12-03
MATTERS UP
AT TRENTON.

Trenton, Dec. 1.-The contest for
leader Of the Republican majority of
the Assembly ended in q pleasant
manner about noon to-day, when
Thomas j. Hillery, of Morris, grace
fully withdrew from the fight. The
throng of statesmen in the corridors
OF the State house was large this
morning. Both Mr.. HilIery and Mr..
Colby, his rival for the leadership,
were among the early arrivals, and
they and their lieutenants were soon
at work. 1t was one-sided contest,
and while the Hillery men were unable
to make any inroads on the Colby
column, the Essex men made gains.
Bergen, it was announced. had
joined the Colby forces, and it was
also said that Passaic was casting
longing eyes in the same direction.
For want of something better to do.
e'of the wags started rumors that
Mercer ard Middlesex were wavering
in their allegiance to the Essex man.
This started the perspiration on the
brows of the Colby men. as they hur-
ried around to see what it all meant.
They soon found that there was no
truth in the reports, and they became
more than ever convinced that their
man had the place well in hand.
This also soon became apparent to
the Hillery men, and just before noon
the Morris man called Louis H.
Miller. OF Cumberland; Thomas @.
Elvins, of Atlantic; f. Van Blarcom,
Of Passaio. and George Cook, Of Ber-
gen, who made up his staff during the
fight, and withdrew with them to the
room Of the Judiciary Committee,
across the hall from the Assembly
| chambers.
! There, behind closed doors, they
discussed the situation and came to
the conclusion that they could not de-
feat Mr.. Colby. Mr.. Hillery thanked
those with him for the support they
had given him during the contest. He
said that he could not see where any
thing was SO be made by continuing in
the fight and that he had made up his
mind to withdraw. The conferrees
agreed with him, and leaving the
room Mr.. Hillery went to find Mr..
Colby in the corridors. He found him
at the entrance to the executive de-
partment surrounded by number of
his supporters.
Mr.. Colby" he said, reaching out
his hand to the Essex man, II want
to congratulate you for the victory
you have won. and want to assure
you that I will do all can to support
you in my humble way"
Mr.. Colby grasped the proffered
hand and shaking it warmly said:
81 thank you for your congratula-
tion and promise of support. assure
you appreciate the courteous manner
in which you have conducted your
contest"
A period of general handshaking and
congratulations followed.
To his friends Mr.. Hillery spoke
very eulogistically of Mr.. Colby. He
said that he was an able young man
and he had no doubt that he would
make satisfactory leader.
Both Senator Lee. of Atlantic. and
Walter E. Edge, secretary of the SEN
ate. we're here this morning for the
first time since it had been announced
that the two were on the outs and
that the Senator would not present
Mr.. Edges name to the caucus to sue.
ceed himself.
When asked if the report was true,
Senator Lee said that he had never
said that he would not recommend
Mr.. Edge for reappointment.s sAll such
statements, he said, came from the or
ganization in Atlantic.
eff the organization recommends
Mr.. Edge, will you present his name
to the caucns?" the Senator was
asked.
| "With pleasure, he replied.
Mr.. Edge said that he was not a
candidate for the Office, Sin the face
of the opposition of the Senator from
his county" If Mr.. Lee did not
present his name to the caucus, he
declared, he would not let any one
else do it.
When told what Senator Lee said
about the organization 8 Endorsement.
Mr. Edge said that the organization