New-York tribune., 1906-11-14
DRYDEN FEELS PULSE.
Jersey Senator Sees Colby and
Stokes-AU Remain Silent.
fBy TeleZraph 10 The Trihune.1

Trenton. Nov 13-From the size Of the crowd
around the State House corridors to-day and
| the interest manifested. 1t might have been sup
| posed that the Republican caucus for United
States Senator was to be held tomorrow. in
| stead of two months hence AS matter of fact.
the crowd and the interest were largely owing to
the circumstances incident to the first Gov
| ernors day after election. 1t is a custom for
the members especially to come down on
that day and get acquainted with another
and become familiar with the surroundings OF
the state capitol
Everything was augmented, however by the
Senate contest. interest In which is intense The
occurrences of the day much resembled those Of
1887, when Rufus Blodgett came in at the last
moment and snatched the prize from Leon Alb
bett The difference is a difference in time. The
Blodgett game not played until the OF
the actual caucus Now the plotting and PLAN
ming taking place weeks and weeks ahead
Of the regular time for the caucus That fact
alone caused the cry that a caucus was to be
forced now because It was to the advantage Of
Senator Dryden to try conclusions as soon as
possible for fear delay would render his chances
less favorable
There was nothing in this The hope was
that a show of sentiment might be made of so
strong a character practically TO settle the
question Of the SenatorShip we'll in advance
But such hope if it really existed, fell to the
ground before night. The knowledge that at
this time there are four Republicans who will
not enter q caucus If Dryden's name is used
enough to upset all plans and stop all
games.
Senator Dryden Is indeed earnest in his nght
He thinks he can win and intends to win. He
has discovered that he has been injured by the
efforts of others TO manage his campaign FOR
him and is now personally conducting his can
vass. He came down to Trenton last evening
and had Governor Stokes and State Treasurer
Briggs dine with him. They were the only can
didates he know We're reported 10 be in the field
against him.
When the after dinner talk was over Mr.
Briggs had assured the Senator he was with
him and need not be considered factor in the
fight. The Governor anon filled Mr. Dryden
with hope and anon with doubt. That is the
way it ended for the night Senator Dryden
went to bed. Governor Stokes sat up until 3
o'clock chatting with Everett Colby. the Sena-
tor from Essex. What they said to each other
neither would disclose to-day. II is reported
that Colby urged the Governor To- get into the
fight actively, and the Governor did not say yea
or nay. At any rate Colby, who remained here
until this evening, was in rare good humor
The Senator around bright and early this
morning. and did a hard days work. He first
received some personal friends at the hotel ana
then came up to tho State House about the time
the crowd arriving. He shook hands with
all those in the corridors and then went into the
Governors room, where there was some very
nearly handshakins Soon after the Senator's
arrival Senator John Kean appeared ON tba
scene. and the handshaking was repeated MIR
hean had very little 10 say but intinated that
he believed Mr.. Dryden had a good show in the
race About noon the Governors room was oc-
Gupled by the Governor Senators Kean and
pryaen' ex-senator William NJ Johnson Presi-
dent Bradley OF the Senate and several oP tba
senators. They conferred a little while and then
scattered for luncheon All declared that nothing
oi Importance had taken place