Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-12-12
SMITH WINS
OVER DAVIS.
Hudson Democrats Defeated in
the Caucus to Select Speak
er in the Assembly.

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Firth. mayor of Phillipsburg, a form
err saioonkeeper and the present as
semblyman from Warren county, was
Yesterday selected as speaker for the
next house in a democratic caucus
that was marked by no little bitter
ness between the Hudson and Essex
county delegations. Assemblyman
Abram Klenert, of Passaie, was chos-
en- as floor leader and to Hudson was
given only a few of the minor places,
although Hudson had the largest rep
re%sentation of any county in the
house and has long been regarded as
the stronghold of New Jersey demo
cracy.
The result was a decisive victory
for former United States Senator
James Smith, of this county, over
Bob" Davis, of Hudson, his rival for
state leader. The outcome was a
bitter fight throughout the session by
the rival factions.
1t is the first time In ten years that
democrats have been in control of
| either branch of the legislature.
Some of the disappointed Hudson
county men declare that in addition
to being a victory for Senator Smith,
it was also a victory for the Public
Service Corporation, especially in
view of the fact that William B.
Gourley, chairman of the Democratic
State Committee and counsel for the
Public Service Corporation, took ac-
tive part In the campaign that elect
ed Mr.. Firth.
Mr.. Smith was represented by
| James Nugent, who brought the
eleven Essex county assemblymen
here and kept them in line until the
caucus was over. Assemblyman AL
exander, of Hudson, tried to have
Nugent busted from the caucus room
but his resolution was promptly voted
down by the Essex men and their co
horts. Then Mr.. Alexander and othel
Hudson men declared that Boss
Smith had Essex under his thumb
to the same of the New Jersey demo
cracy.
In an effort to defeat Senator
Smiths plan, the Hudson county men
tried to nominate Assemblyman Ed
ward H. Wright, of Essex, for speak
err, but he declined.
Assemblyman Riordan, Davis per-
sonal choice, vas then placed in nom
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it was Firth, IS; Riordan, 13.
Assemblyman Levi Morris, of Sus-
sex county, was in line for the speak
ership instead of Firth and he would
have been named had not some one
stampeded his votes by recalling thai
last winter he helped to pass the
bishops bill. Mr.. Morris retaliatet
by refusing to support Firth, but he
was won over by being allowed te
name the speakers secretary and be
ing promised a good committee chair
manship with a clerkship.
The apportionment of patronage
to the different counties was as fol
lows:
HUDSON.
Assistant clerk of the house, jour
nal clerk, supervisor of bills, ser
geant-at-arms, first assistant sergeant
alarms, assistant to supervisor o.
bills, four doorkeepers, two pages.
ESSEX.
Clerk of the house, second assist
ant supervisor of bills, assistant tt
journal clerk, four d~oorkeepers
three pages.
First assistant to sergeant-at-arms
bill clerk, assistant bill clerk, assist
to clerk, two doorkeepers and two
pages.
SUSSEX.
Speakers clerk and one page.
HUNTERDON.
Assistant journal clerk, one door
keeper and n page.
WARREN.
One doorkeeper and n page.
Following the election of Mr.
Firth, who is no public speaker, Hud
son county endeavored to embarras'
him by demanding an address, bu'
this was headed off.
The individuals to fill these Office!
will be selected by the members from
the various counties. 1t Is under
stood that former State Senate,
Lewis J. Martin, of Sussex, will b.
Speaker Firth's private secretary.