The Jersey City news., 1906-06-06
He Does Not Propose a Con-
troVersy As to Veraoity
But Will State His Posi-
tion On tbe Dryden Boom
MORGAN BACKS THE SENATOR
SO DOES STATE CHAIRMAN
FRANK o. BRIGGs-CoLoNEL
DICKINSON IS NoN-COMMITTAL
Especial to '.rhe Jersey city News.,)

OAN, JUNE %, I5VO-Ihe chief
topis discussed at the State House yes
terday was the United States Senatorial
situation as Intensified by Senator John
f. Dryden's announcement of his candi-
dacy for denomination, made by his SON
in-law, Colonel Anthony R. Kuser, yes
terday.
1t was not the fact that the Senator
had expressed his determination to seek
| a reelection that created the discussion.
| as that was expected, and to some extent
discounted. 1t was. however. the positive
and firm manner in which Colonel Kuser
handed out the names of the Governor,
Chairman Frank O.. Briggs, of the Re-
publican State committee and other lead
ers of the party as those of men pledged
in unmistakable terms to the Senator's
reelection.
Particularly fruitful in speculation
was the statement attributed to Cover
nor Stokes. According to Colonel Kuser
the Governor was one of the first to
pledge his support to Mr.. Dryden, .'and
later, when it was intimated that he was
a tentative candidate for the office him
self, Governor Stokes again assured me
positively that he was for Mr.. Dryden.
and would not be a candidate against
him."
Everybody was anxious to hear what
the Governor would have to say in re-
gard to this positive statement of Colonel
! Kuser's, and when he arrived at the
house much earlier than usual. several
Of his friends thought he looked as if he
had something in his mind A corre-
spondent showed him Colonel Kuser's
statement regarding his candidacy.
| The Governor, with deprecating
smile. said
"Why, I thought 1 had made enough
statements on that subject
When asked if the colonel was exactly
correct in quoting him as having said
that he would not be a candidate against
Mr.. Dryden, the Governor said:-
| mo; I do not propose to get into a
controversy with Colonel Kuser on the
subject of veracity, but 1 will prepare
statement on the subject and give it to
you later"
The Governor then hurried into his
private office and tackled the business
awaiting him.
Comptroller J. Willard Morgan said
that as far as he was concerned, Colonel
Kuser's statement was correct. He was
one of those who believed Senator Dry
4 den was entitled to a reelection and he
was with him without equivocation The
prevailing sentiment in Camden, and the
part of South Jersey in that vicinity he
also believed, favored Mr. Dryden's re-
election.
As to the Governors candidacy, Mr.
Morgan said he did not believe the Chief
Executive was candidate for United
States Senator in the strict sense of the
term, but if it should appear when the
time came to elect the Senator, that Mr..
Dryden from any cause could not make
i4l.a Nv
the Governor should not go in and win
if he could. 1t was a laudable ambition
for anyone to entertain, that of being
United States Senator, and no one doubt
ed the Governors ability to fill the po-
sition creditably to the State.
Aside from declaring that at this time
he was committed to no man for the
United States Senator, Colonel Samuel
d. Dickinson. Secretary of State. was
| disinclined to discuss the situation or
Senator Dryden's announcement of his
candidacy through Colonel Kuser. This
method of announcing ones candidacy
for United States Senator, he said, was
Southern and Democratic, but if it was
to be the style of campaign to be waged
here he supposed it was proper for the
Senator to announce his candidacy.
State Chairman Frank o. Briggs prac-
tically admitted that as far as he was
concerned Colonel Kuser's statement was
correct. Speaking in his individual ca
pacity, and not as State official or as
an official of the State Committee, and
he particularly emphasized that point, he
said he would say that it had always
been the custom of the Republican party
| to give its United States Senators
second term. unless there was serious
objection to them. Senator Dryden"
he continued, "had not even had a full
i term yet, and as there is not serious
objection to him, personally favor his
reelection to the United States Senate.
That is all / have to say ON the sub
ject"