Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-14
GROOMING THE CANDIDATES
JERSEY REPUBLICANS MAKE
READY FOR STATE CONVENTION.
Committeeman, Meeting in Trenton,
Discuss the Gubernatorial Situa-
ton, But Not Officially.

TRENTON. N. J., August 14-Tshe repub-
lcan state committee held its first meeting
of the campaign here yesterday. and fixed
September 10 as the date for the state con-
vention. This is two days later than the
democratic convention, which has also been
called to meet in this city. 1t said to
be the intention of the republicans to hold
their convention first. and the reason as
signed for not doing so was that 1t was
impossible to get q hall for a convenient
preceding date.
United States senator Frank o. Briggs
set at rest the reports that he contem-
plated resigning his place as chairman OF
the state committee by declaring that he
never had thought of such a thing He
added that he expected to remain at the
head Of the committee at least until after
the state convention. and he would then
consult the wishes of the republican nomi-
nee for governor.
Candidates for Nomination.
Who this nominee will be was a subject
not officially considered by the committee
but 1t was a topic of good deal OF private
talk among the individual members JUS
tice J. Franklin rort of the supreme court
and Sheriff Frank H. Sommer Of Essex
county are about the only active candidates
in the field and these two names were
spoken of more than any others. AS the
state committee is essentially regular in It's
political affiliations, and as Sheriff Sommer
is quite the reverse In his ideas, his name
was easily eliminated from serious con-
sideration and the informal talks narrowed
down to specializing upon the strength and
chances OF Justice Fort
The members from the northern section
of the state were not disposed to take a
particularly rosy view of the situation,
which they regarded as most doubtful In
Hudson and Essex counties where so many
complex questions and issues have arisen
that there seemed small hope OF lining up
the party unit for any candidate. That
Justice Fort had elements of strength was
admitted by ALL but 1t was also pointed out
that there was more or less opposition TO
him.
Judge Collins Chances.
Some Of the members thought they saw
solution of the problem If ex-Justice
Gilbert Collins of Hudson county could be
induced to become a candidate but OF this
there seemed to be no reasonable proba-
blity Like several others, Mr.. Collins Is
understood to be willing to take the nomi-
nation IL offered to him, but he Is not will
ing to make any effort to obtain 1t, and IT
does not look as IL the nomination were to
be had without the asking.
South Jersey appeared to be somewhat
divided in its preferences. 1t was reported
by most Of the members from that section
that Justice Fort would make a good run,
although the sentiment seemed to be d.
vided between him and Justice Mahlon
Pitcher of the supreme court who also has
a large following through the southern
counties. South Jersey, however, Is so
strongly republican that 1t can be counted
upon to fall Into line for almost any nomi-
nee, and it is conceded that the selection
this year must come from the other end
of the state its wishes are not likely to re-
ceive as much consideration they other
wise would