New-York tribune., 1906-04-30
MUCK RAKE AN ISSUE?'
COLBY MEN READY FOR 1T.
Organization Men Wish to 4Uoid
Extra Session an September.

Governor by the Senators was the chief feature OF
political gossip week before last, the civic din
ner In East Orange, at which the Governor
guest. must be put down as one Of the principal
features of last week. Governor Stokes took oc-
cssion in the course Of his speech as many
politicians doing these days. TO drag IN the
muck rake after the fashion of John BUnyan and
President Roosevelt As a result. all the little ma
chine organs ana their organsts have been hopping
up aud down with glee since Tuesday. There
was a faint suspicion on the part of those at the
oinner that George L. Record had the better OF the
muck rake argument, but that is a side incident
The most amusing phase of the whole muck rake
business so far as New Jersey is concerned. TO
those who have good memories and are well post
ed. is the idea that the only men with muck rakes
are and have been reformers. Governor Stokes did
not say so, but the machine mouthpieces drew that
inference. Those who recall last years campaign
remember that the dirtiest raking OF the SOIL
was done by the machine organs. They charged
Colby and his associates with everything that was
contemplate and false. They looked up from the
earth a moment when the result of the Essex pri-
nnaries became known. but there and then resumed
the raking
They had 10 look up little longer when the
election returns came in. but occupation they
have found the muck business very congeniaL Ihe
reformers turned over the dirt only when there
was something to show up. and by which the public
always benefited There nothing personal. so
10 speak. in the reform rake. There was nothing
but personalities and falsehoods in the action Of
the machine rake Perhaps the muck rake is going
be the issue in this state this year. If SO. the
reform element is ready for business at the old
stand at some new point. The rake that exposes
corruption in high places and advances the interests
OF the people is always In demand. It is pointed
out and Il has LOT OF work yet TO do. the little
machine organists viii ascertain. The genuine
leaders. both of the regular and reform camps
recognize that publicity is absolutely essential 10
accomplish certain results.
WHAT THE COLBY PARTY DID
the continued attempt down what Colby
and the Independent movement accomplished at
the recent session. The machine organs keep
peating that the regular organization planned
not fool the neopIe or those acquainted with the
situation as it manifested Itself from day to day
while the Legislature was at work Colby and
based on many principles which were enacted into
law.
The regular organization. particularly in Essex
and Hudson barely referred to these matters nat IN
an through the contest that terminated on FIec-
tion Day. Governor Stokes perceiving the popular
enensnd 10 ana Ihe general trend OF things indorsed
il is noticeable that the talk Of avoiding spe-
cial session IN September. which is preva-
lent, comes chiefly from organization men of small
suppressed. Colby and Martin agreed to it. and
have no reason 70 change their minds; Stokes and
the Senators and members from Essex and Pas
and shirking the session. with few exceptions.
the movement to dodge the extra meeting comes
certain corporations who fear their plans might be
upset If measures other than the Passac pollution
proposition we're 10 be considered The regulars
do not intend 90 try 20 have the doors opened to
tempt such a thing is simply one of the foolish
SANDERS put, Il, out with view to intpring the re-
special session was questioned all along the line
ana one Sny t s 6g5 ae ar o Vas Sgreed upon the able
and have not changed their minds in the least
PERKINs'S PLANS FOR HIMSELF
Randolph Perkins the organization leader in the
House is said 10 have mapped out his political
ambitions FOR the future. The story is that he
wants 10 come back 20 the Assembly next year
go 10 the Senate from Union County the sue
cessor 10 Alderman. and thus get in trim for the
are generally thought TO be praiseworthy. On the
car happen IN the mean time
For example, unless the energetic young man
ranks TO be successful. for Union County 'Repub-
licans are rapidly changing front. instanced
rnittee at its meeting the other night Mr. Perkins
fan back on his position as Mayor of WestHeid an
office he can probably HI through the year 1910 If
George Holmes. who has been one of the counsel
for the New Jersey Central Railroad several years
signed his ooItior tb tl ii5 ad mas 4o,ne5
one Of the old law firms in Jersey City which will
De known as Bedlo Edwards d Holmes. That old
Of well known lawyers were students in the ONCE
a. one tine or another, and good many promi-
nent members Of The bar were connected with the
hfn as partners at various stages Of its history.
During its earlier days the firm consisted Of
ssseph y. Bedle who was Governor Of the state
3no sfterward justice OF the supreme Court; VIII
was BedIe. Murheid & McGee Muirheid died first,
and then Bedle d McGee the title. Joseph D.
known as Bdls @ McGee 1 Bedle @ a'@ That hat @ Was Ts ths
name for a while after the death of the ex-GOv-
ert T. Lawrence. William j. Edwards and Charles
D. Thompson have been connected with the con-
the firm, which he did a month ago. He is
succeeded by Mr.. Holmes
A VOoRHEEs-STOKEs AGREEMENT
It seems to be an open secret that there
an understanding between Governor Stokes and
Governor VOORHEES, regarding the Circuit Court
judgeship As Tie Tribune stated the day Voor-
hees sent in his declination. il was reported that
50 long the Ex-Governor supposed TO be in
The field nobody else felt Ike announcing his can
worthy. way. It seems VOORHEES, has not wanted
been close friends 50 long. however. that one
would believe thar amy one except the man from
chum for the office ana then having linn decline
the Governor got the slate clear and can now make
step 10 the front without fear favor.
Governor Stokes seems 10 be playing mighty good
politics in connection with The men he Will name
as members Of the boards OF equalization in the
ago that he would like 10 have the Senator's from
the counties furnish him with a list OF the best
men they considered available. he IS not coni1nng
himself 10 the one source for candidates In Hud-
son county for instance ne IS expected 10 name
one man tlat fagan wants one that Dickinson
names and the third will be the choice OF Senator
viii have one man certainly tho Lentz organization
may have smother ard some prominent Democrat
cm6or;t Tl. same plan Is reported 10 have been
adoTres IN otler counties In tlis way tho Gov
20 be made m Ma whiie II is Lelayied I'm s
- - -. ~ n .,-.. -ii,1 - J- me ISL
not announce the names before Tuesday. He can
hardly Ge.er action after that date
". K. piston n SOCIALIST.