Bridgeton pioneer., 1904-04-21
AFTER A MAN
TO BEAT STOK ES

The Philadelphia Ledger yesterday
published the following interesting
Trenton correspondence:
Trenton, April 17.-While it seems
well understood that ex-senator Ed
ward O. Stokes, of Millville. at present
CLERK of the Chancery Court. will
have little or no opposition for the
Republican Gubernatorial nomination
in New Jersey this fall. the same GER
tainty does not exist as regards the
Democratic candidate. One thing
seems assured. however. and that is il
Mr.. Stokes is nominated by the Re-
publicans, the Democratic candidate
will also be taken from one of the
South Jersey counties.
Having beaten Mr.. Hearst and his
paid army of boomers at Trenton last
week. the Democratic leaders. are con-
ferring ON the question of the COVER
norship. In tentative way they have
decided that the candidate ought to
come from South Jersey With the
aid of Robert Davis, of Hudson; Will
liam J. Thompson. of Camden. and
others. ex-United States Senator James
Smith, Jr., had no trouble in control
ling the State Convention, running it
much in the sane manner as the Re-
publican machine does in Pennsyl-
vania. Although Smith ia charged by
certain Democrats with playing per-
sonal politics, he is not without con-
siderable strength. Well posted Demo-
Gratis say, however, that should he
begin to loose his following he would
be deserted quickly. What saves him
now, they say, is the failure to find an
acceptable man to assume the leader
ship.
With the STATION as it is. there is
little doubt that Smith. Thompson,
Davis and Gourley. the State Chair
man. will have the naming of the
State ticket next September. And in
doing this they may decide on reform
that practical politicians say is a handi-
cap to absolute leadership. namely, the
excessive number of delegates that the
present rules give to State Conven-
tion. A new superintendent should be
made, the practical ones say. In the
convention at Trenton last week there
were nearly 1900 delegates. They
filled the State Street Theatre to the
exclusion of every one else Hudson
county alone had 202 of these, but
Davis ruled them as would Czar.
Half this number would be ample. it
is argued, and would render the lead
ers less liable to yexatious contests and
other internal troubles. Admitting
the fact that New Jersey is without
more than supplementary Democratic
leadership. it appears patent that the
overthrow of Smith and his friends is
sometime distant. Acting on this as
sumption, those who are seeking gu
bernatoral honors are vending their
way toward this camp, 1t was this
fact that led representative of the
Public Ledger to make some inquiries
among .the leaders last week while
they were in attendance on the State
Convention.
Richard V. Lindabury, of Somerset
county, who was chairman of the con-
yention, has been mentioned for the
governorship. He is corporation
lawyer, one of the counsel for the
Steel Trust, and also for the Fennsyl =,
vania Railroad. He is trust maker,
and his trust breaker speech to the
delegates was only a half hearted
effort. A small boom was started for
him in the convention. but he in
formed a Public Ledger representative
that he would not be candidate.
Another name mentioned is that of
Charles g. Black, of Jersey City. a
member of the State Board of Taxa
tion. Hs is supported by Leader
Davis. of Hudson. A close friend of
Black. however. said that the Jersey
City man would not be candidate.
The name of John r. Hardin, one
of Essex county's delegates to the Ma
tional Convention, was mentioned to
leader. The suggestion met with
this exclamation "What, a kid glove
statesman with q coal combine record /?
Never" Then the name of Assem-
blyman Swackhammer. "The Somer-
set Sycamore. was suggested, but it
did not meet with generous approval.
Then the talk drifted to ex-senator
Gebhardt, but it was said the Hunter
don county people would not support
him, and with favorite sons in the
field. he would not have chance.
The talk then drifted to South Jer-
sey, which seems the most likely terri
tory for candidates. Three years ago