Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1904-01-28
SOMETHING TOLD OF
SENATOR STOK ES


cation devoted to State politics and
society matters known as "Life IN
New Jersey" In this weeks number
there was upon the front page large
and excellent likeness of Hon. Edward
Casper Stokes, which it said repre-
sented the Republican nominee for
next Governor Of New Jersey"
The leading article of the parer, in
it's first paragraph, told OF United
States Senator Dryden coming home to
Newark from Washington. and then
continued:
"Rumors had come on ahead of Sem
ator Dryden from Washington that he
was anxious to quit the United States
Senate and become Gov ernor of New
Jersey. For Prudential, as well as
prudent reasons. it was circumstan-
tiallylreported, he wished to live right
here in the State. make the executive
mansion the central sun Of social life.
and have his portrait hung in the row
of historic governors at the State
House. Rumor even went so far as to
select Edward O. Stokes. CLERK of the
Court Of Chancery and President of
the Mechanics National Bank, of
Trenton, as his successor. In his
brief talks with party leaders, Senator
Dryden characterized this talk as ar
rant nonsense He declared that it
was his ambition to live out his term
in the United States Senate, which
does not expire until 1907. This was
important, of course, but not half so
important, in the eyes of a great many
persons, IS the Senator's expressed
views that there is no one in sight for
the Republican nomination for Cover
nor. this year, except Edward Casper
Stokes. The Senator did not, of
couLse, come right out and commit
himsellf unreservedly to Mr.. Stokes.
He is too wise a diplomat for that.
But he made it distinctly understood
that in the natural fitness of things
the nomination should go to South Jer-
sey this year-and Mr.. Stokes is the
idol of South Jersey. This attitude
of Senator Drydens, which few who
met him while in Newark and else
where could fail to understand. is a
great feather in the cap Of Mr.. Stokes.
1t goes without saying that if Senator
Dryden is for him the organization is
also for him; and that barring some
contingency now entirely unforeseen,
the nomination is already within his
grasp.
"There have been Kaleidoscope
changes in New Jersey politics within
the past six years, but few things have
caused more astonishment to those not
in the charmed CIRCLE than the rapid
rise of Edward g. Stokes from a bank
clerk in an obscure town to an ac-
knowledged party leader. A short
time ago he was in Millville earning
about 5000 year. Now he draws a
fat salary as president of the Mechan-
ics' National Bank. of Trenton. for
which he has to work, and Sc. 900 a
year from the State as Clerk of the
Court of Ohanoery. for which he does
not have to work. He is small wiry
man with keen eye and sandy
moustache. What his friends call
business like manner would be con-
sidered decidedly brusque by most
people. He chops his conversation
into short. curt sentences. He does
not sit still when he is talking to you,
but gets up and walks about the room,
as though looking for something. He
~oreates the impression of being ner-
vous. 6dgety man; but those who
know him best say he is exactly the
reverse. He is fine campaign work.
er. and makes good speech when he
sticks to hard facts. But if he at
tempts to tell humorous story he
makes the worst muddle of it imagin-
able. Even the best friends of Sena-
tor Stokes as, he is called, dare not
give him credit for telling a good
story. It is said that, two years ago.
SCOTT Snyder, the humorist of the
Uapltol corridors, invented a funny
yarn that made excellent campaign
material for the Republican party.
For PHYS sake don't tell that to
Stokes. pleaded man who was a
candidate for office, he will tell it SO
that the Democrats can use it against
u.s.
eff Mr.. Stokes is nominated and
elected. New Jersey will have bach
elor governor. unless he gets married
meanwhile. If Mr.. Stokes goes to the
executive mansion his mother will
probably act the hostess for him, as
she has done for many years. He is
devoted to her. In Trenton he has
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