Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-01-24
STATE LEGISLATURE.
U. S. Senatorial Situation 0ccu-
pied the Week at Trenton.
Mr.. DRYDEN DENIES BRIBERY

Measure introduced TO Frevent trusts
and Monopolies Being Formed In
New Jersey--BiIl to Regulate Rail
road Freight and Passenger Traffic.
Other Proposed Laws.
Especial Correspondence
Trenton, Jan. 24.-Interest this week
in the legislature was centered i'll The
United States senatorial contest which
has been stirring the entire state for
months past. Senator John +. Dry
den, president Of the Prudential In
surance company of Newark, has had
the fight of his life for reelection.
From the start it has been Dryden
against .'the field
The first step in the senatorial con
test was taken in the legislature Tues
day afternoon, when each house bal
loted separately for a successor to Mr..
Dryden. The Dryden forces were able
to muster only thirty-six votes in both
house and senate, and forty-one We're
needed TO make absolutely sure Of his
election Open predictions of dead
lock were made.
Following the separate voting OF the
two houses Tuesday the legislature
convened in joint session Wednesday
afternoon and took under considera-
ton the senatorial contest. The first
ballot left the situation in doubt.
Prior to the separate voting of the
houses Tuesday both the Republicans
r TO ho, sa(l
among themselves regarding the sena7
torship The Republicans, after a
lengthy conference Monday. held
caucus and nominated Mr. Dryden.
Eight Republican members refused to
enter the caucus, thus cutting down
Mr.. Drydens vote to thirty-six out OF
the forty-four Republicans in the leg
islature The Democrats at the confer
ence were unable to agree upon a can
didate. Colonel Edwin A. Stevens of
Hoboken received fifteen votes, Pro
fessor Woodrow Wilson of Princeton
university was also given fifteen votes,
and James e. MARITIME of Union county
received six votes.
The total result of the voting in both
houses Tuesday was as follows: Dry
den 36. Stevens 16, Wilson IL, Mar
tine 8, former Governor John W.
Griggs 5, State Treasurer Frank O..
Briggs 2, Supreme Court Justice Nah
lon Pitney 1.
Dryden Makes Denial.
After the houses had adjourned
Tuesday a sensation was sprung III
the publication of an affidavit signed
by former Assemblyman Holman Of
Ocean county declaring that in the
United States senatorial contest five
years ago, through the winning of
which Mr. Dryden became senator, he
(Holman) was offered a bribe of $10,-
600 if he would vote for Dryden. This,
according to the affidavit, Holman re
fused to do. Holman stated that the
man who offered the bribe to him was
Thomas Palmer, lobbyist of the
Erie railroad Mr. Palmer died about
four years ago. Senator Dryden in d
statement he issued ridiculed the
charge and declared his absolute limo
cence. He stated that if he could not
rely upon his record as a Republican
and as a United States senator he did
not want to be returned to the senate.
Senator Dryden's chief antagonist all
along has been Senator Colby. the re-
form leader, of Essex county, who
some months ago declared he would
not vote for Dryden. He has been
supported in his opposition by Sen
ator Wakelee of Bergen, Senator Ac-
herman of Union, Assemblyman Fake
of Bergen and Assemblyman Perkins
of Union and several other Republican
members.
A measure introduced this week by
Mr. Tillman constitutes eight hours
service in each twenty-four a full days
service for persons employed in state
penal institutions. A bill by Mr.. Alex
ander forbids the working of minors in
factories or workshops for more than
ten hours a day or fifty-five hours in
week and not at all between the hours
of 6 p. m. and a. m. The penalty is
fixed at $50, and there is fine pro-
vided for each offense
The senate in executive session re-
ceived these appointments from the
governor: G. Addison Swift, district
court judge, Elizabeth; Edward S. At
water, common pleas judge, Union
county; Garrett d. w. Vroom, judge of
the court of errors and appeals: Will
liam Newcorn. district court Judge,
PIainfeld; William e. Drake, member
board of managers of the State Village
of Epilepticss vice Norman Fox, re-
signed.
First Bill Passed.
Under suspension of the rules Mon
day night senate bill %, by Mr.. Col
by, went through the legislature. The
measure empowers undersheriffs to ex-
ecute persons under sentence Of death
and applies to counties of the first
class. The measure is to allow Sher-
en