Bridgeton pioneer., 1907-02-07
BRIGGS SENATOR TO
SUCCEED DRYDEN

&renton, Feb. 5.-Frank o. Briggs,
OK Mercer, State II eaurer, was elected
United States Senator for term of
six years TO-DAY to succeedsJohn f.
Dryden. on March 4 next.
The election of Mr.. Briggs followed
a day crowded with exciting events,
and eliminated in Mr.. Briggs secur-
ing Al votes in joint session a clear
majority. just when it was freely de.
clared that ths absence of Mr.. Buck.
OF Cumberland, who was ILL., and the
boiting of Mr.. Colby, Mr.. Ackerman
and Mr.. Fake, would reduce the vote
to 40. Mr.. Fake, however, who had
bolted the caucus after persuasion by
Mr.. Colby voted for Mr.. Briggs in
the joint assembly, and cleared away
the whole atmosphere.
VIM. M. Johpson, the Bergen county
leader secured the Fake vote from
Mr.. Briggs.
There are 81 members of the New
Jersey Legislature and Al votes are
required to elect United States SEN
ator AT least that has been the Gus
tom, although the Attorney Generals
decision said that majority of a
quorum would be sufficient. There
were Al Republican votes recorded for
Mr.. briggs, thus saving him from any
possible smireh because of the absence
of two Democrats, Messrs. Anider.
heids anu Eppinger, of Hudson. Mr..
Fake. of Bergen, voted for Briggs, al
though he stayed out of the caucus,
and Mr.. Buck, Republican, Cumber-
iano, was absent because of announced
sickness.
just before the roll call Fake held
hurried conference with William M.
johnson, who comes from Bergen
county. Fakes home. Nervously Fake
asked Johnson, "What shall 1 do?"
= Your duty is to cast your ballot for
Frank O. Brlggs,' replied johnson.
Fake followed this advice, and when
his name was called he said ''Frank
0. Briggs" The vote was received
with great applause, as it clinched
Briggs's election by giving him Al
votes, a majority of the whole Legis-
lathe. There was prolonged ap-
piause when Senate President Bloom
field II. Minch, of Cumberland, who
presided over the joint session, de-
clared Mr.. Briggs elected United
States Senator.
Colby, who the day before had been
shouting that he would vote for
Briggs, turned tail to-day and declared
he would have nothing to do with
Briggs. He said this so often that
Doctor Crowther, of Monmouth.
roasted him in che caucus, which
started just before noon. calling him a
political trickster. Colby left the Re-
publican caucus announcing that he
would never enter one again. Then
Senator Alderman left the caucus,
saying he would not vote for Briggs
on sthe rumor that the Briggs cam
psign was fixed before Dryden with
drew.
ihe caucus that nominated Mr..
Buags was full of interest.
Besides Briggs, the names of Cover
nor Stokes State Senator Bradley.
former Attorney General Griggs and
supreme Court Justice Pitney were
presented to the caucus. The first
ballot showed the vote was divided as
follows:
For Briggs-Messrs Barber. Brown,
Burke. Crowther, Dawson, Elvins,
Freinghuysen. Haines, Hand. Hutch
lnson, Trick. Lee, Lewis, Robbins,
Shinn, Smalley, Stille Thompson,
TilIman, MOxon, Perkins, PIummer-
%.
For Bradley-Messrs. Avis, CatteII.
Gibbs. Jess. Jones-5.
For Pitney- Messrs. Bradley, Bux-
oShs Ohnpiiui 1lAiltIS S-4.
For Griggs- Messrs Devine, Wake
lee-2
For Stokes-Messrs. Drake, Lila
gore. Manson. Minch, Ridgeway,
Taylor, Potter-7.
Before the vote IVES announced Sem
ator Miuoh changed his vote from
Governor Stokes TO Mr. Briggs, Civ
ing him % votes. the ms jority of the
entire Republican JOINT mem bership.
Immediately Assemblyman Potter fol
owed Senator Minch, while several
others did the same thing As the
changes in the votes were being re-
corded, Mr.. AVIS moved that the nom-
nation of Mr.. Briggs be made unani-
nous, and this was done amid general
good feeling
Senator Minch had several confer
enoes with Governor Stokes during
the week, ana each time the Governor