New-York tribune., 1907-01-14
DIR. WILSON NAY BE UP.
FOR DRYDEN,S PLACE.
Some Democrats Think He VII Be
Candidate for Jerseu .SenGtor.

Trenton. Jan. 13 CspeciaD.-It can safely be
said that from now until al least the 23d Of this
month nothing VIII be considered or talked
about 20 any extent except the United States
Senatorshp or course. the Legislature may
get in a deadlock regarding the successor TO
Senator Dryden. and then there is no telling how
long the fight VIII keep up. From January %
both houses must meet together daily and cast
at least one ballot until q Senator is chosen.
There may be q quick and happy termination TO
the contest. and # may drag along for weeks.
II seems TO be settled that both parties viii
have caucus in advance OF the balloting pre-
scr1bed by law. While the exact date and place
for the Democratic conference has not been
nounced it is understood # VIII be after the
session has adjourned for this week. and viii
be IN the Assembly chamber. II might have
been called for tomorrow but for the call for
caucus Of the Democratic Assemblymen which
Speaker Lethbridge issued on Friday to consider
the blunder he had made in making up the APP
preparations Committee. The Democratic Sen
ators are expected 10 take part in this meeting.
ss they interested very much IN the out
come. While there may be enough courtesy be-
tween the leaders OF the parties in the Legis-
iature 10 have the blunder corrected without any
friction, partisanship and the possible advantage
70 be gained from control Of the financial situa-
ton may cause considerable trouble. IF all Is
peaceful, however. the meeting tomorrow even
ing. before tho House convenes, ought not TO last
very long. The Democratic Senate caucus will
not be held until Tuesday Wednesday.
There promises 10 be brisk little fight in the
Democratic caucus, despite the fact that the
party Is in the minority. There thirty
seven Democrats in the Legisiature-s!x in the
Senate and thirty-one in the House. 1t VIII re-
qure forty-one votes to elect United States
eenator. The Democrats need only four more
votes TO elect their Senator. OF course. ordl-
narily this could not be done. but the leaders
hoping for the unexpected.
There are two candidates actively presented
Colonel Edwin A. Stevens. Of Hoboken, ana
President Woodrow Wilson Of Princeton Uni
versity. Stevens is the choice of Robert Davis
and the Hudson County men; Wilson Of James
Smith and the Essex and Passaic County Dem
ocratic members. Colonel Stevens is avowed
candidate, and until he was taken sick made an
aggressive campaign for the party. Wilson has
stated on several occasions that he was not a
candidate and would not accept nomination
Ex-senator Smith. however, declares this is not
right, and that the president of Princeton must
not decline actual nomination
Wilson's entrance into the fight, involuntary
as il doubtless IS, adds new and attractive feat
ures TO the scene. Naturally Princeton men,
graduates and undergraduates, are glad OF
honors offered conferred upon President Will
II IS not to be supposed, at the present
stage Of the fight, anyhow that college spirit
will supplant partisan feeling even TO the extent
of a vote, but the three Republican Senators who
were graduated from Old Nassau and the little
handful of Assemblymen who are sure to be de-
tenders Of the Orange and Black will be mighty
Interested IN the progress Of the Democratic
senatorship caucus. Many Democrats here say
that If the caucus lines up as expected, Wood
row Wilson will be the Democratic nominee for
United States Senator.
The Republican Senatorship caucus is to be
held. according to the best advices. week from
tomorrow in the evening. IT is the last date
on which a caucus can be held. for the balloting
In the separate houses must take place Tues
day, January % That is the caucus upon which
all eyes are now fixed.
There win surely be a caucus. Talk to the
contrary IS held TO be absurd Whether there
will bo q quorum, whether many will remain
put or walk out before ballot is taken mat
ters Of conjecture. As it appears now with the
situations constantly shifting and with sudden
and surprising changes likely. John F. Dryden
has big lead, and in the usual course Of events
however. is not certain. In betting parlance it
is odds on Dryden against the field But there
Is Just that element of uncertainty. that chance
Tor an unsuspected play or turn In the tide. that
renders the outlook slightly hazy
The Dryden supporters, however, appear con-
hdent An analysis of the situation is not as
favorable might be hoped for Mr.. Drydens
well wishers- There only forty-four Re
publican votes altogether To The Tribune cor
respondents certain knowledge there are three
men at least who will not go into caucus unless
Dryden Withdraws. There a dozen more
who are opposed TO the Senator and say So but
Sfu not commit themselves definitely as to go
ing into caucus They are eVasive some of
slaena L a they go INTO the caucus they will be
oound as 10 the result. but some Of them pre-
scribe conditions
man was maxine canvass the other day
and asked Assemblyman William . CotteII Re-
publican. of Gloucester, whether he was for
Dryden. He said he was not Would he go
into caucus and would he abide by the decision
OF the majority? He would. the condition
that he the last TO sign the call FOR the
caucus and that forty Republicans signed it be-
iore he did Such conditions, OF course amount |
to a good deal They viii defeat the caucus
Plans unless the choice IS To be unanimous.