The Washington herald., 1907-02-06
BRIGGS now SENATOR
State Treasurer Elected as
Successor to Dryden.
GOV. STOKES AIDS HARMONY
Several Republican Legislators Dis
posed TO Bolt. but Are Forced Into
Line-DemocratS After Caucus Cast
solid Vote for James r. MARITIME,
the Farmer Orator"

I Trenton. Feb. State Treasurer Frank
I o. Briggs was elected by the legislature
this afternoon to succeed John p. Dryden
as one Of New Jerseys representatives i'm
the United States Senate. He received
foru-one Of the forty-three Republican
votes cast. Senator Colby voting for
Justice Mahlon Pimey and Senator Acb-
crman for John IS. Griggs.
The Democrats cast their entire vote
for James 2. MARITIME. the farmer ora
tor. who had been agreed upon at "a
caucus held earlier IN the day. which re-
suited in the elimination Of President
Woodrow Wilson. OF Princeton Univer-
s.ty. and Col Edwin A. Stevens. OF Ho-
boken
Mr. Briggs viii resign from his present
position 10 take effect about March /. OF
upon the election of his successor, who
viii also De chosen by the legislature in
joint session.
The choice OF the new Senator followed
one Of the stormiest political fights in tine
State for years. and up TO within half an
hour Of the time that President Minca,
Of the senate, declared Mr. Briggs TO
have been elected. there was every out
ward indication Of a deadlock as hard 10
break rs that during the candidacy of
Mr Dryden,
The small majority Of the Republicans
on joint ballot coupled with the disposi-
ton 10 bolt from caucus rule. made the
situation a delicate one, and it was only
by resorting TO drastic measures that the
choice was finally made
Gov. Stokes himself came out in the
corridors during the closing hours Of the
fight and urged rccalcitrant members to
support Mr Briggs in the interest of
party harmony. it having been clearly
shown that his candidacy was favored
by majority of the Republican members.
Storm Keeps Members Away.
When the Republicans came out of con
ference at midnight it was with the un-
decstandins that they would go into eau
Gus at O'Clock this morning. but when
that hour arrived several members were
absent on account cf the storm and sick
ness. and the caucus was for the time an
impossib.lity
There had been another important
change in the situation. State Assessor
David Baird, of Camden, who had sue
ceeded in securing pledges OF support
from about eighteen members. announced
his withdrawal from the contest, and i'm
mediately Senator William G. Bradley, OF
the same county. announced himself "a
candidate and set his friends TO work
gathering up votes.
This was followed shortly aftcrward by
q declaration from Senator Colby that hc
would not support Mr.. Briggs if chosen
by the caucus. He gave as a reason that
be regarded air- Briggs as being in the
same class of politicians with Mr.. Dryden
While he did not object TO Mr.. Briggs per
sOnally. Senator Colby said he did object
Go his corporate affiliations.
This announcement came as a shock. /
particularly ia view Of an assertion made
by Mr. colby yesterday that he would be
willing 10 support Gov. Stokes. OF Gov. /
John ". Griggs. Justice Mahlon Pitney, !
1r Mr. Briggs in the event of any one of /
them being made the caucus nominee.
Briggs Wins on First.
About O'Clock in the afternoon. with 1
forty members i'm attendance, it was de- |
cided to take a caucus vote. The ballot 1
resulted as follows; Briggs, %: Stokes. =; /
Bradley. .; Piney. &: Griggs. ,. Alr !
Briggs. having the majority. was then /
declared the caucus nominee by unani- /
nous consent. The four absentees were /
Senator's Colby and Ackerman and Assem- /
Dlymen Buck and Fake
The Briggs men were jubilant. having /
hen sufficient votes 10 accomplish the 1
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