Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-12-24
REPUBLICANS
WILL CAUCUS

TRENTON, Dec. 24:-North and
South Jersey will be pitted against
each other in an interesting political
battle Thursday evening of this
week. when the republican majority
of the incoming senate will meet at
the home of the Republican Club to
hold a caucus for the selection of off,
GERS for the coming session.
The principal contest is over the
presidency. North Jersey has a can
didate in Senator Thomas j. Hillery,
of Morris, and South Jersey is press
ing the claims of Senator Bloomfield
H. Minch, of Cumberland. 1t is an
evenly divided contest at this time.
Both Mr.. Hillery and Mr.. Minch are
confident of winning and the friends
of each are predicting their success.
To an unbiased observer, the chances
of each seem to be about even, with
possibly the slightest kind of an ad-
vantage in favor of Mr.. Minch.
Hillery's Chances.
Senator Hillery is the logical can
didate and he would have been elect
ed beyond a doubt if the northern
counties had not gone democratic.
This leaves Mr.. Hillery with less sup
port than he would otherwise have
had and brings him up against the
proposition that to the victors belong
the spoils and to South Jersey, which
remained loyal to the republicans,
should go the Offices. On the other
hand the friends of Mr.. Hillery de-
clare that the office was practically
pledged to him last winter when he
was made floor leader.
Eriapdc of Senator Minnh nccart
that he should have the Office be-
cause Of hts past good record in the
legislature and as a tribute to the
loyalty of his end of the state. His
qualifications for the place are un-
questioned.
Added interest is that this year
closes the terms of both senators and
that their friends are urging the hon
oring of them on this account. Inas-
much as this is Mr.. Hillery's first
term and he is likely to be reelected
many of the Minch supporters de-
clare that the Morris county man can
afford to wait, and assert that he
should retire in favor of the Cumber-
land man. The Hillery forces are
making the same contention.
Uncertain Over Floor Leader.
The position of floor leader for the
republicans is also a matter of un-
certainty at this time. Senator John
Boyd Avis, of Gloucester county, is
the man most frequently mentioned
for the place. He is also believed to
be the best senator who could be
selected. He has served M year in
the senate, following his promotion
from the house, and is thus a%cquaint-
ed with the routine of the upper
branch and his experience as speaker
of the house for three years has
made him we'll qualified for the dut-
les of leader. Moreover, he is a
ready speaker, cool in debate and
ever alert for the best interests of
whatever he may be representing.
There is a, proposition in some
quarters to seek the reelection of
Senator Hillery as floor leader and
give the presidency TO Senator Minch,
but 1t is not believed that this plan
would be agreeable to the Morris
county men. The chances in any
event seem to be in favor of Mr..
Avis, and if MI. Minch is elected
president the most important Offices
in the coming senate will be filled by
South Jerseymen.
Fighting for Minor Offices.
The minor offices have not been de-
cided upon, 1t is believed, however,
that Secretary Tyler, of Cumberland,
will not get a reelection. There is a
lively contest for all of the minor
offices, especially because the demo-
Gratis control the house, taking away
nearly half a hundred offices.
1t is not likely that the caucus will
enter into any discussion as to the
United States senatorial situation,
nor the committee appointments for
the next session. 1t is still believed
that United States Senator John F.
Dryden is the party's only candidate