The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
Congressman Says lie Is
Not Locking for the Re-
publican Nomination.
COMMENDs JUSTICE FORT
Local Leaders Think Outside
Elements Are Trying to
Keep the Essex Delegates
Divided So as to Give
Chance to Collins.

Congressman r. Wayne Parker to-
day made a statement in reply to que
ries concerning his suggested candi-
dacy for Governor, in which he says he
is not and has not been candidate for
the Republican Gubernatorial nomina-
ton. He practically declares for Judge
John Franklin Fort. Local Republican
Mr. Parker's name into the contest
was intended for the purpose of split
ting up the Essex delegation so as to
make more favorable the chance for a
man outside of Essex. presumably
former Judge Collins, of Jersey City, to
secure the nomination.
Mr.. Parker. being asked what he had
to say as to the suggestions Of his
name for Governor, said
II have just returned from nearly three
weeks absence IN Maine and have just
seen the article in your paper of Satur-
dsy.
II am not and have not been n candidate
for Governor. 1t is months since any such
suggestion was made to me. I then thanked
the friends who spoke OF II, and told them
that 1t seemed to me out of the question.
THE office which I now hold in Con-
gress would of itself be sufficient reason.
I think, against my nomination"
Being asked what he thought about the
candidacy of Judge Fort. he replied:
HE is a strong man. His ability. cour-
tesy, and friendly relations with all, his
splendid record upon the bench of this
conntNs.apd ~nf- the Supreme Court, and
his power and determination to make a
f1ghting campaign. render him candidate
whom Essex County may we'll support in
the convention
The Essex Republican leaders are in
censed over attempts of what they call the
"Trenton crowd to create nm impression
that Supreme Court Justice Fort, upon his
return from Europe this year, will an
nounce that he does not care to become a
candidate for the gubernatorial nomination
The Essex men are busy trying to nail
those stories, emanating from Trenton
sources by showing letters from Justice
Fort since he has been In Europe which
unequivocaily state that If he be the recipi-
ent of the honor he would enter into a
strenuous campaign to be elected.
The latest Trenton scheme, local Repub-
licans say, has been the boom for Con-
gresham Parker put out while he was
away on his vacation. Today the Con-
gresham had a conference With Alfred N.
Dalrymple. chairman of the Essex County
Republican Committee. over the political
sitration
Tho result of the conference 1t is under
stood was that the Congressman intended
to Issue statement declining to have his
name mentioned in any way with the Re
publican guberantorial nomination.
The purpose In the move Of the Trenton
Republicans, 1t was said, was to bring
about the nomination of former Justice
Gilbert Collins, of Hudson, for the nomi-
nation. Fort is believed to be the strongest
candidate and the efforts being made by
the Trenton people is to bring out Essex
candidates in the attempt to weaken the
Fort backing in the county. Local Re-
publicans believe that if majority of
Essex delegates was for Justice Fort moth
ing would stop him getting the nomina-
tion in the State convention.
With the withdrawal Of Chandler w.
Riker, the local men say, there were left
only Fort and Sheriff Frank H. Sommer
to contest for the nomination.
1t was but a short time after the with
drawal of Mr.. Chandler that the Parker
boom was sprung The purpose of this, 1t
is said, was to continue the split that
existed while Mr.. Rikers name was on
the calendar.
A prominent Republican, speaking of the
talk about Justice Fort refusing to take
the nomination If the convention were in
favor of him, said:
''That is all humbug. His letters since
he went away have been such as to lead
US to believe that he was ready, If he gets
the nomination, to make a record-breaking
campaign"
'In a few words, the Essex leaders be-
lieve the scheme is to have split among
the Essex delegates. so that the Collinites
may slip in