The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-12-14
ALOvE FEAST
Assembly Caucus Yester-
day Resulted in a Saw
ing Of s2,350 to the
State.
EIGHT OFFICERS Topped OFF
Thrae Doorkeepers, Two Gal
lery Keepers and Three
Pages Cut OFF the Pay
EIGHT OFFICERS Topped OFF

TRENTON, Dec. IA, 1904-Eight Of
fcers were Topped off the assembly staff
by the house caucus yesterday, effecting
a saving for the approaching session of
$3.50. The officers cut out were three
doorkeepers, two gallery keepers and
three pages. Mercer county last one page.
The retrenchment followed the dinner
given by Governor-elect Stokes Monday
evening, which was attended by Assem-
blymen Duffield, Dalrymple, Avis, Hulse,
Martin. Elvins, Scovel, Miller and Rob
bins, and at which the governor-elect il
sisted that economy must be observed.
The caucus was scheduled to meet at
noon and long before that time the solons
began to gather in the capitol corridors.
There Was some growing under the sur
face among the members when they were
informed how matters stood. Some of
the disgruntled ones freely expressed
their minds over the proposition that nine
members should meet with the governor
elect and decide what patronage the other
81 members should have.
There were others, however, who said
the action taken was perfectly proper
and in line with the Republican promises
made dnring the campaign. This faction
pointed TO the fact that five of the mem
bers who dined with Stokes We're slated
for the steering committee and there was
no injustice in their having a say in the
disposition Of the matter.
Thomas 3. DeCou, of Mercer, called
the caucus to order in the new Supreme
Court rooms at 1920 o'clock. Practical
~ all members We're present. Everett
Colby, one of the Essex leaders, who is
in the south, was among the few absen-
tees. Edward d. Dufield. slated for the
party leadership in the House, was nam
ed for chairman by Assemblyman Lehl-
bach. Of Essex, and unanimously elected
Assemblymen Dalrymple, Passaic; Bak-
er, Morris, and Hildreth, Cape May, es-
corted him to the chair. He accepted
with a speech of thanks.
Louis H. Miller, Cumberland, acted as
secretary. The choice of candidate for
speaker was the first question taken up
John 3. Avis, Gloucester, was nominated
by Assemblyman Scovel, Camden. and
unanimously elected Mr.. Avis was the
speaker of the last session. In accept
ing he made a brief speech, in which he
asked The cooperation Of all the mem
bers during the session.
Next the candidates for the principal
executive officers We're chosen. The ways
had been we'll creased and the slate was
launched almost without ripple. There
was but one contest and that was unim-
portant. The feature Of the election was
the withdrawal of the name Of Somers
I. Champion, Monmouth county, as a
candidate for the assistant clerkship
Champion was member of the assembly
in 1902 and put up a stiff fight for the
place. To the surprise of some of the
regulars. he even secured letter Of in
dorsement from State Chairman Briggs.
But he found his case was hopeless and
his name was withdrawn by Assembly
man Reed from Monmouth.
The officers as chosen with the salary
of each follows Clerk of the house, Jas.
Parker. Passaic, $500; assistant clerk.
Upton s. Jefferys Camden $1,000; jour
nal clerk, Robert S. Terhune, Essex.
$1,000; sergeant-at-arms, George B. Lutz
Atlantic, 500; first assistant sergeant-at-
arms, William s. Dye, Middlesex, $500;
supervisor of bills,l George 3. Groer. Es-
sex, 81 300; bill clerk, Edward #. Totten,
Morris, $500.
Two candidates were named for the po-
sition Of assistant bill clerk Frederick
w Bender, Union and A. Lincoln
Scrowcroft. Passaic. Scowcroft received