New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-07
COLBY LIKES INQUISITION.
Thinks Questioning Of Speokership
Candidates a Good Plan.

Trenton, Dec 6 (SpeciaI1-One Of the pleasant
incidents of the meeting Of the Republicans at
the State House yesterday was the remark by
Senator-elect Colby, that he was never more
surprised than when he learned that last week
the Essex and part of the Hudson delegation
had submitted the several Republican candi-
dates for Speaker to a series Of questions in
executive session." as he called it. It was
something that he never had dreamed Of. and
had amused him more than anything in his
terms in the House.
TT was one of the best things that ever hap
pened, and no harm can come from its adoption
in the future"
The devisng Of this plan of proceeding as a
preliminary step toward the organization of the
legislature was pretty generally credited the
time TO George l. Record, the corporation coun-
sci of Jersey City, but there We're some poll
ticians who gave Mr.. Colby the credit for the
adoption of the plan. The frankness of Mr..
Colby was again made clear when he. although
he had had nothing to do with the conception
Of the scheme. did not hesitate 10 give it his
full and cordial approval.
1t probably was the suggestion of Mr.. Record
which led up to the nomination of Assembly
rnan-elect Austin Colgate as the candidate Of
the Colby forces for Speaker. MI Record de-
clared that it was always bad political policy to
90 outside of ones own political following to
select a candidate 10 represent a body Of men in
a high political position.
He did not believe, he said in attempting to
eight something with nothing" and the sooner
the Colby forces took the bull by the horns
the better it would be in the end.
The effort of Major Lentz in the last pri-
mary campaign in Essex County, was instanced
as the truth of this declaration, which. it was
said. probably would result in the final and
complete overthrow of the major . political
leader It was apparent to everybody that the
selection Of Mr. Colgate the candidate of the
Colby forces for Speaker caused new hope to
inspire these forces.
They indicated by their manner and their con
versation that they were now in a better shape
for winning than, as Mr. Colby put it, they had
been at any stage of the game, and it ad-
nlitteG by some Of the opposition that this man
Hesitation Of the courage of their convictions
had placed them in better position than any
they had previously occupied When asked why
they had failed to name candidate for the
leadership, Mr.. Colby replied that they would
concentrate their efforts Mr.. Colgate and
wait for further developments.
It was regarded as fortunate by many OF the
Colby men that Mr.. Miller. OF Cumberland
County, had declined the offer to make him
their candidate for the leadership. MI Miller
had only a small following In the last House,
aud It said that he would not have been re-
nominated last October # ne had not proved 10
be useful to certain part of his county a. Il
member of the House Appropra lions Commit
tee. IF the State House machine elects its
Speaker the Colby people are expected TO wash
their hands of all responsibility in connection
with the organization and management Of the
House and put 1t up squarey to the machine.