The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-12
ASSEMBLY CAUCUS.
JAMES SMITH, JR., BEATS ROBERT
DAVIS, rs TO 10.


TRENTON, n. j., Dec. ll.-Former United
States Senator James Smith, Jr., and the
Public Service Corporation won a decisive
victory over Robert Davis, the Democratic
boss of Hudson county. when the majority
members of the next HOUSE of Assembly
met here in caucus to-day to parcel out the
patronage within their control. Joseph
II. Firth, formerly a saloon keeper OF Phil
lipsburg, was selected for Speaker, defeat
ing Joseph A. Riordan, the Davis candidate.
Of Hudson county, by Is to IS votes.
BY the same vote which was the test OF
strength between the opposing forces As
semblyman Abram Klenart of Paterson was
selected as majority leader on the floor.
The remaining offices we're tentatively
apportioned among the counties which
went Democratic, the winning faction re-
serving for itself the lions share.
1t was the first time since the rare old
days of racetrack and GOA combine legis-
lation that the Democrats have occupied
the capitol corridors in a majority capacity
and the old days were forcibly recalled by
the presence of Tom Flynn. once a starter
at the Gloucester racetrack and Inc last
Speaker Of the House the Democrats have
had in New Jersey. Neither Flynn nor his
associates have seemingly lost any of the
vigor of former days and there was not a
dull moment during their stay,
The Davis forces had the full strength
OF the twelve Hudson members TO begin
their battle for control, together with the
support of Senator-elect Hinchlife Of Pas
sale, who succeeded in landing only one of
the five members from his county with the
Hudson contingent. This left the Davis
men still three short OF the sixteen votes
needed to control the caucus.
They lost no time in trying TO win over
the members in Sussex, Hunterdon and
Warren and failing in this, to cause a break
in either the Essex or Passaic delegation.
James Nugent, the personal representa-
tive of former Senator Smith, kept the
Essex delegation tightly corralled in a hotel
till the time for the caucus. Even when
the caucus was assembled he sat with the
eleven members from that county. As
semblyman Archibald Alexander Of Hoboken
tried to have Mr.. Nugent relieved OF his
charge by a resolution, but the Essex man
had the Totes and the resolution was beaten.
Il felicitate the Essex delegation upon
its selection Of a guardian said Assembly
man Baker when the impossibihty of di-
vorcing Mr.. Nugent from his lock had been
demonstrated.
Chairman William B. Gourlay Of the
Democratic State committee, counsel for
the Public Service Corporation, Was also
especially interested in the selection of
Mr.. Firth for Speaker, and it was his infiu-
ence that lined up four of the Passaic MEM
hers against the wishes Of Senator Hinch-
life, who is also a power to be reckoned
with among the Democrats of his county.
Mr.. G~ourlay lie counted upon to see that the
important committees OF the House are not
too much opposed to the Public Service
Corporation in their makeup.
The ultimate selection of Mr.. Firth for the
speakership was not entirely to the liking
even of the winning faction, and was bit
terly denounced by the Davis men. The
Smith forces, finding that the : could control
the Essex men, determined to unite the
rural counties by holding the speakership
out as a bait. Levi Morris of Sussex
wanted the place, and was looked upon with
some favor till it was remembered that he
had favored the Bishops law that made New
Jersey dry on Sundays. Then il was all off
with Lev He was huffy at first, but was
won over by a promise that he should choose
the speakers private secretary and have
some other nice berths to bestow upon his
friends from Sussex county.
When Mr.. Firth had been decided upon,
MIR. Baker of Hudson moved that for the
delectation and edification of the members.
the new speaker be invited to address the
Assembly"
When the proper time comes to say have
one with me" Mr.. Firth ia at home, but he
seldomv ventures further afield in the domain
OF public speaking, and he was consequently
embarrassed. He moved u~neasily in his
chair for a few moments and was visibly
relieved when Assemblyman Hahn of
Essex succeeded in having the motion TO
make him talk tabled.
The only bill introduced by Mr.. Firth
that became a law last session was one
providing for the unveiling of a soldiers
at Phillipsburg with suitable
military ceremony. The Governor, his
staff and a regiment Of the National Guard
attended. INC from the Phillipsburg view
point the affair was pulled of with eclat.
In his campaign for reelection the heart
less Speaker-tc-be, who had exhausted
his eloquence in securing the passage of
this one bill with the necessar y appropria-
ton denounced the whole Republican
party for extravaganza in making need
less military displays and made it one CT
his&campaiRn issues.
Tonight il was rumored that Mr.. Firth
would not be the actual occupant of the
Speakers chair when the Legislature
settles down to the really strenuous work
which ia exDectad from IL