New-York tribune., 1907-01-16

DRYDEN'S CHANCES SLIM
Republicans to Hold Joint Confer
ence-DemOcrats Defer Action.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribrre.

TBy Telegraph to The Jrlbrre
Trenton Jan 15--Between midnight and sun
rise this morning there was a sudden change in
the Senatorial situation. 1t was caused by
conference OF the Republican State Senator'S, or,
rather, a dozen of them, who met in the Sen
ate chamber TO discuss matters. For some days
the Republican Senators have not been pleased
with the way things were shaping Rumors and
reports very contradictory Some Sena-
tors gave out statements that they were against
Senator DRYDEN but would not say whether
they would go into caucus or remain in one
Therefore word circulated that the Repubh-
cans would meet after the evening session and
have heart to heart talk, and that the utmost
secrecy was TO be observed.
The meeting was held. Twelve Of the fifteen
Republican Senators were there Colby. BRAD
ley and Robbins absent, and had been all
the evening The conference lasted two hours.
and It was after midnight when il adjourned
It was not only heart to heart affair, but 1t
was revelation to some OF the Senators. 1t
showed that they much closer together than
had been thought. but in different way. FeSy
few-only five It is said-were outspoken in
favor of Dryden and binding caucus. They ap-
peared glad Of chance TO take some otner
course than the one they supposed they would
have to pursue. Three of the Senators were en-
phatic on the caucus question. They said they
would not go into caucus unless Dryden with
drew the conditions We're not obligatory.
Everybody apparently satisfied when II
was suggested that the conference should ad-
journ until Monday afternoon at o'clock and
that in the mean time the Republican Assem-
blvinen should be invited to join them then.
The Senators walked down the corridors and
to their hotels with padlocks on their lips. But
as the hours moved along until daylight what
had occurred gradually leaked out. so that by
breakfast time the story was pretty generally
known. Then there was commot!on indeed.
News OF the conference sent TO the friends
of DRYDEN, informing them of the danger and
requesting them come down at once. If
there was to he no caucus. some OF the Sena
tors intimated. then Senator Dryden had hard
er time than ever ahead Of him. 1t was said
that Drydeus chances We're so slight and the
opposition great that the leaders OF the two
houses-Hery and Perkins-who should issue
the call FOR he caucus. had refrained from doing
So The fact that both these men. but especially
Perkins. were personally against Dryden. or at
least lukewarnl, increased their unwillingness TO
so ahead. according to reports.
Then the Democrats became active. They in
tended holding their caucus to-day and it was
supposed that Colonel Stevens would become
the candidate. But there much opposl-
tion on the part Of the Essex delegation and
such desire TO make President Wilson OF
Princeton the candidate. despite all his protests,
that. taking advantage OF the general miX-up,
they postponed the caucus until Monday even
ing. Thus it happens that should the Repub-
licans decide a caucus each party Will have
a caucus on the same evening, on the last day
before the law requires the holding of the ses-
sion for the choice OF a Senator first by each
House separately and then in joint session.
He had barely uttered this remark when the
KUser hTothcrs-Colonel A. r. and John L..
tered the Treasurer's office and held long
ference with him. Tie kuserS would not listen
to any talk Of Senator Dryden's defeat. They
said lie would certainly have forty-two votes.
but no names Wera given and the corridors said
the Senator would not have forty Votss un-
less the Democrats cane TO his aid.
Quietly buI persistant;y the name OF Governor
Stokes was mentioned. Tonight he is stronger
than ever. Despite his repeated refusals to he
a candidate or ~ accept the office. his friends
insist that sill his refusals swept away by
a popular demand for his election. and that he
must accede t. the wishes Of the people.
Doubtless other favorites will loom up and be
earnestly pressed between now and Monday. es-
pecially Justice Mahlon Pitney and William
Barbour, but Tonight The tide is swinging the
Governor to the front. All this is conditional
however, upon John Fairfield Dryden not get
ting his second wind and winning by neck.