Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-11-16
DRYDEN WANTS
A SHOWDOWN

TRENTON, Nov. 16:-A rumor
was afioat around the state house yes
terday that the Dryden forces were
and tentative caucus or conference
held next week to consider the Unit
ed States senatorship. The story ran
that the Drydenites felt confident
they had a majority of the caucus Of
the republican members of the next
legislature, and if they could clinch
the matter in some form now all OPP
position to Mr.. Dryden would prac-
tically cease, and when the time came
he would be elected, with all the re-
publican votes for him except those
of Colby, of Essex, and Fake, of Ber-
gen.
That some sort of an attempt will
| be made seems certain. Just how
such a movement could be carried
out legally is a subject of contro-
versy. The opponents of Dryden APP
preciate that if a conference could
be had, considered binding by those
who took part, it might give the Dry
den boom an impulse that would go
a long way toward success. But they
insist that such a thing is not posi-
BE in any way that would hold. If
a majority of the coming republican
members went into a conference, or
caucus, whichever it might be, they
would go voluntarily. If called, such
a call would not be binding. The
| mnmhnpc how" nnt hoon mr. ~ 10
begin with, and consequently there is
no official authority that could COM
pei attendance. Men who two months
from now would be bound if they
attended a caucus would not have
any obligations to fulfill in connec-
ton with a conference next week. In
fact, no authoritative steps can be
taken by an unofficial set of men to-
day, when the regular legislature of
the year is still regular and purposes
to hold a special session and enact
laws in a couple of weeks.
Yet there is no doubt of the dan
ger of delay, so far as Mr.. Dryden is
concerned, The Stokes supporters
are hard at work. The governor him
self, despite all denialls and evasions,
is said by many to be quietly enocur-
aging the movement in his behalf.
There are more defections from the
Dryden column every day, although
are issued. 1t is extremely doubtful
whether forty republicans could be
induced TO enter a conference if it
We're held tomorrow. They certainly
would not take part if any action
were to be regarded as binding.
Eventually there must be forty-one
votes for some one man. The Dryden
dilemma seems to be that he must
nave the twoscore and II votes,
while the opposition only needs to
prevent five men from going into
caucus or agreeing to abide by the
result if Dryden leads.
One of the shrewdest politicians in
the state on the republican side thinks
the position to maintain is one of
absolute delay. He thinks the sena-
torlal situation. in it's present shape,
VIII terminate in a deadlock. He
then believes the election should go
over another year, and in the mean
lime the bill for designation of sena-
torlal favorites at the primaries
should be passed. Then the people
would determine who should be
Tor at the primary polls, and the leg
lslature a year hence, whether re
publican or democratic could selec;
me popular choice and send him to
the senate.
This is certainly a novel idea, but
1t Is hardly worth considering seri
ously until the deadlock, if there is
TO be any, is reached. The probable
lty OF a deadlock is frequently dis