New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-02
DICKINSON APPOINTED.
TAKES OFFICE At ONCE.
Jersey Gouernor, IN Naming Secre-
tara, Defends Position.

Trenton, April l--Governor Stokes tonight
sen: the nomination OF Colonel Samuel D. Dick
inson as Secretary of State 20 the Senate. the
Senate Immediately confirmed it. and Dickinson
was soon sworn in for his second term. he took
charge of the Office Immediately. and began
strengthening things up.
This ends Of the hottest skirmishes ne
tween the reform" element and the organlza-
ton forces in New Jersey politics. The victory
q with the latter as Dickinson was appointed IN
city.
Z Al $50 o'clock tonight the Governor sent for
tie Republican Senators and told them he was
going 20 reappoint Dickinson as Secretary Of
State They all expressed their willingness TO
confirm him. The Senators then returned TO the
Senate, and the nomination followed
half ton OF mail lay all day in the Office Of
the Secretary Of state. Much correspondence
seeking charters had to lie by until there was a
Secretary OF State. for the Office was vacated by
limitation at midnight on Sunday. The office
force. as soon as the Secretary was sworn in be-
gan working ara will continue all night 70
catch up with delayed mail.
= While the Senate was in executive session con-
sidering the Dickinson nomination a large crowd
OF Hudson County Republicans gathered in the
corridors outside. When il was announced that
the colonel had been confirmed by vote Of -
10 > the enthusiasm of the friends of the sec
discussion over the confirmation lasted one hour.
AS soon as the news reached the colonel, who
was seated in his private rooms with a dozen or
moro OF his closest friends, he went TO the Gov
ernors and signed his commission. The
secretary and a few Of his friends then took
a couple Of automobiles and rushed out to the
home of Justice Alfred Reed, who had been SIN
formed, and the secretary was sworn in. Before
midnight he was back in his Office.
The two negative votes against confirmation
'rere cast by Senator Colby, of Essex Rep),
: and Senator G. Gebhardt of Hunterdon Dem).
When the Governor sent Colonel Dickinson's
name 10 the Senate he made public the follow
ing statement:
not assume the responsibility of acting as judge
and jury and condemn a fellow man TO dis
grace without substantial proof Of his guilt
have looked over the charges against Colonel
Dickinson submitted 10 me, and his specific
denials thereof Some Of the things. in my opin-
ION the important ones. relate 10 incidents al
legged 10 have taken place prior 10 Colonel Dick
4 tnsOns appointment five years ago by Governor
Murphy. and 10 incidents alleged TO have oc-
fcuTTed at a time when Colonel Dickinson and
his accusers were on friendly terms.
Some OF the charges ] personally know to be
Evolving a question of proprieJy, upon which
smen viii differ refer to incidents that Colonel
Dickinson assures me occurred before ne was
sSecretary Of State
7 other charges of a private character are not
only denied by him with Indignation denials
supported by the afIidavits of men who know
him but are IN my judgment not sufficiently
substantiated 10 warrant me in prOnouncing him
guilty, as I would do by refusing him Teappoint-
Went
Colonel Dickinson's course in this hour has
been that Of an innocent man. He has appealed
10 the courts Of the state. where he and his
cusers may meet face TO face for fair trial az
10 the truth Of the accusations against him. I
90 not conceive St 70 be my duty to prejudge
tthls verdict. u IN the future shall md myself
mistaken in this view and my belief in the
scolonels character should prove 10 be misplaced
II have his written assurance that he viii re-
tsign and my own settled purpose TO ask for his
Resignation
1t is fair @ sax that the public service VIII
tbe safeguardSd ~ Colonel Dickinson's reap
spointment. 81 IN administration Of the Office Of
Secretary ottStfke has been most excellent and
without coinpifpe 80 far as I have heard. His
Office IS open As day. and indeed, when occa-
sion requires 6r courtesy suggests. even at night
Tor the transaction Of tie public business. As
public official charge has been made
against him, nor could Il be made with truth.