New-York tribune., 1906-12-24
POLITICS In NEW JERSEY
Fnth's Vote May Be Necessary to
Re-elect Dryden.
[By Telegraph TO The Tribune.l

Trenton Dec. 23.-The hohday week In New
Jersey will be active one in politics. The
next Legislature will convene on Tuesday. jan
uary s The Democrats of the House are or
ganized so far as the House at large is con-
cerned Passaic. Hudson and Essex will hold
separate conferences and arrange for the dis
tribution OF the patronage allotted to them by
the regular caucus committee. Hudson will meet
on wednesday of this week. Essex will probably
get together on Friday. Passaic is likely to wait
until next week.
The Republican Senators will hold confer
ence next Thursday evening at the Republican
Club house here 1t IS some time since
there has been much excitement among the Re
publican Senators. because they have been so
largely I'm the majority. The majority is large
enough this year. 1t would seem, with fifteen Re-
publican Senators to six Democrats, but the
attitude of Senator Colby may mean a difference.
While a Republican at large, Senator Colby
promises to maintain his independence, and
should he Join with the Democrats on any ques-
tion that may require two-thirds vote 1t would
be interesting. Every Republican Senator will
have to vote AYE" TO pass a measure under
such circumstances Besides Colby may not
prove to be the only Independent Republican in
the Senate. Senator Ackerman, OF Union, has
developed decidedly Independent views and
Frelinghuysen, of Somerset. and Wakelee, of
Bergen, do not hesitate to express Independent
party ties.
HILLERY- -MINCH CONTEST.
There is contest over the presidency OF the
Senate between Thomas ]. Hillery. of Norris
and Bloomfield H. Minch, of Cumberland Hill
lery the leader OF the Republican side of the
Senate last year and it was supposed he would
have a walkover this year for the presidency
Minch, however, suddenly appeared as a candi-
date and gained great strength from the start
Minch will end his ninth consecutive year as
Senator and the last year of his third full term
in 1907. He has never been president frequent
iy refusing to run, to make room for some Sen
atOr the party leaders wanted in the chair That
he would make an admirable presiding officer
has been shown the numerous occasions when
he has filled the chair temporarily.
1t looks though Minch would win He
appears to have the votes Of Lee, Of Atlantic;
Robbins of Burlington; Bradley of Camden;
Hart. of Cape May; Avis, of Gloucester; Hutch
inson. OF Mercer; Shinn. of Ocean; Plummer. Of
Salem, and Ackerman, OF Union. This would
give Mnch nine votes, whereas eight are all that
are required. If Hiliery wins. Minch will un-
douhtedly be the leader. If Minch wins Hillery
would scarcely be leader again, and the honor
will so to some new man. like Hutchinson. Of
Mercer; Avis. of Gloucester. or Brown of Mon
mouth.
Minch, Wakelee, Of Bergen, and Bradley Of
Camden, have already occupied the presidents
chair, while Wakelee, of Bergen; Robbins Of
Burlington; Bradley, Of Camden, and Avis, of
Gloucester, We're Speakers OF the House Sen
ator Minturn, OF Hudson. will probably be
chosen again the Democratic candidate for
president and the Democratic leader on the
floor
DEMOCRATS HOPE TO ELECT GOVERNOR.
It Is hard to tell who will be the Republican
candidate for Speaker of the House and party
leader. The caucus is not likely to be held until
the eve CT the session The men who expected
% lead the Republican majority next year re-
ceived such sudden blow that there has ap-
parently been no consultation on the subject. 1t
is generally taken for granted, however, that the
leadership will lie between Randolph Perkins. OF
Union, last years Assembly leader. end Alfred
y Barber Of Mercer, who was prominent in the
debates of the last session.
Although the action Of The Democratic leaders
in nominating Joseph X. Firth, of Warren. FOR
Speaker of the House, and then trying patch
up the blunder 10y naming Edgar T. Lethbrdge.
OF Essex, has hurt the party prospects, there
a number of sanguine people who think the
Democrats can elect the next Governor Two
candidates are named already. one representing
the northern section of the state and the other
standing for South Jersey. EX-Judge and eX-
senator tODert -. HuQSiHtn, OF huuSoll, IS ltle
choice of thousands of Democrats in his sec
ton Of the state He is popular and well
known The choice of Democrats for Gov
crnor in the central ana southern parts of the
state seems to centre around eX-Mayor Frank
s. KatZenbach OF Trenton. His popularity is
universal among all classes. Although Tren-
ton is usually a strong Republican city. Kat
ZenbaCh carried it twice when running for
Mayor. a contest at the state convention be-
tween Hudspeth and KatzenbaCh would he brisk
and exciting Either would make fine
for Governor against the Republican nominee.
whether he be William NJ. Johnson, of Bergen.
Frank .. Briggs, Of Mercer.
FOUR REPUBLICANS AGAINST DRYDEN.
There has been little gossip of late about the
United States Senatorship. The Senators have
for the Christmas vacation. Right after the be-
ginning of the year there will be more talk.
What little there IS stirring on the Senator
snip has had chiefly to do with the opposition TO
Senator Dryden. The fact that Senator Acker
man, of Union, and Assemblyman Taylor, Of
Ocean. have declared that under no crcum-
stances will they support the present Senator
go into caucus on the SenatorShip, if il is to
be binding, furnished a mild sensation. There
are now four Republicans who refuse to sup
port Dryden go into caucus the Sen
atorship which would carry a binding ballot.
The four are Senator Colby, of Essex; Senator
Ackerman. of Union; Assemblyman Fake of
Bergen, and Assemblyman Taylor of Ocean.
The positive detection Of these men leaves Dry
den one short of Republican votes enough TO
elect him. James Smith now come to his
friends assistance and have Firth cast the vote
for Dryden that he said he would like to east
when he thought he going to be Speaker
n Nv