The Jersey City news., 1905-11-29
That and Limited Franchise
Will Be the Battle Cries Of
the Reformers This Ses-
sion.
WHO WILL BE SPEAKER?
MANY NAMES MENTIONED FOR
THE HONOR, BUT ALL THE
MEN sEEM DIsINGE1NED 10
ACCEPT II.

TRENTON. Nov. 2s, 1906 The
Governors Day gathering of politicians
at the State House yesterday resulted IN
the lining up Of the Republican forces
in a way to indicate that there will be a
hot fight in the Legislature this winter
between the Regulars, commanded by
Governor Stokes, and the Insurgents,
with Everett Colby in command.
There was a lively preliminary skir-
mish yesterday on the question Of the
Speakership, the tactical feature of
which was caucus Of the Colby forces.
This meeting made it plain that the In
surgents Will give battle for their princi-
pies Of equal taxation and limited fran
chise ,and will put up a determined re-
sistance against the overthrow Of these
principles by the Stokes crowd.
There was no change in the outlook
that Assemblyman Samual X. Robbins
of Burlington, the candidate Of the state
house leaders, will be the choice of the
Regulars for speaker, and the man who
showed the most strength for the position
of floor leader was Assemblyman RAM
dolph Perkins. of Union. Some Of the
Celbyites were bold enough to claim they
would be able to organize the assembly,
and Thomas r. Watson of Passaic, for
nler assistant custodian of the state
house, made such statement. But the
facts disproYed this and indicated that
they would be at least four votes short
of controlling the organization caucus.
The caucus yesterday was called by
Assemblyman-elect Martin, of the Essex
delegation, and attended by &ll the mem
| bers present from the latter county, eight
representatives from Hudson, FIVE from
Passaic and one from Union, making a
total of 25, or four less than the requi-
| site majority of the Republican caucus.
Assemblyman Robbins was sent for
and asked to advance any reasons he
might have for expecting the support Of
| the North Jersey delegation. He explain
| ed his position at length, and it was so
unsatisfactory. SO far as the question of
limited franchise was concerned. that the
25 assembled agreed to pledge their sup
port to any other candidate meeting their
views who might receive the additional
four votes necessary to control the eau
Gus.
Randolph Perkins of Union, the slat-
ed candidate for leader, was suggested
| by his colleague, Assemblyman-elect
Tucker the only Union man present at
| the conference, but it was learned that
Mr.. Perkins was not ready to make
pledges.
while heartily in accord with the
principles of equal taxation and limited
| franchises, as expressed in the Union
county platform" remarked Mr.. Perkins
| later, II prefer to remain member on
| the floor. free and untrammeled rather
| than accept position of any kind under
| q pledge to adhere to formulated
standard that experience might prove
| detrimental to- the public good.
Mr.. Perkins views, while partly meet
| ing the view of the Essex delegation,
| were not regarded as satisfactory to the
| Hudson demands. and he was dropped
has Il speakership possibility.
Mr.. Marelli of Passaic. who consist
emily upheld the Colby theorists during
| tire last session, was favorabiy regard
| ed, but he was unable to secure the
| four outside voters
The views of Louis H. Miller, OF
/ Cumberland were identical with those of
! Robbins, leaving him out of tie run
ming. and Thomas G. Elvins of Atlantic,
| the only available man. but he, too,
| found it impossible to obtain the neces-
| sary votes.
Assemblyman-e Martain was i'm
! portuned to enter the race, but he posi-
tifely declined. saying the mission of the
| Essex delegation was to secure the full
/ il1nent of its platform pledges and not to
| obtain office or control Of legislation for
| any other purpose.
| George L. Record, corporation counsel
| Of Jersey City, and with Mayor Faean
4 the leader for the equal taxation aud
/ limited franchise fight IN Hudson coltn-
| ty. was at the state house and used his
influence to secure the caucus.