The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-19
VICE-PRESIDENT .
FOR STOKES AND FORT
New jerseys Sons in Key
stones tate Declare for
the Governor.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19.-Govkrnor
stokes's aspirations for the Vice-Presi-
Dental nomination, although carefully
yelled, received an impetus at the first
dinner of the New Jersey Society of
Pennsylvania, held last night in the
Union League. This incident occurred
in an assemblage of leading politicians
and men OF affairs, a candidate for
the Presidential nomination and two
Governors.
The gathering brought together many
of New Jerseys foremost politicians
and citizens, as we'll as her native born.
With them mingled representatives of
her sister commonwealth, Pennsylva-
mia.
The two United States Senators of
Pennsylvania, Governor Stuart and
Mayor Reyburn, stood for the official
life of Pennsylvania. while Governor
elect Fort. Governor Stokes and Con-
gresham L~oudenslager were there up
holding the dignity of proud New Jer-
sey.
The prominence of the guests and
the pending political questions and the
men who may assume the leadership in
the next national election naturally
gave the dinner a political significance
and flavor.
Senator Knox, who had accepted the
invitation on the expressed stipulation
that he should not respond to a set
toast, vas drawn into the speechmak-
ing by a clever trick of Congressman
j. Hampt)n Moore. who presided. The
junior Senator. who has, throughout
the period of his candidacy, refrained
from touching Upon 1t in public, talked
about points in history before the for
nation of the United States, and told
with great historical accuracy how
New Jersey and Pennsylvania had
stood together in bringing about things
of moment in the eaky history of the
country. lie made no reference to is
sues of the day.
Governor Stokes himself gave the as
semblage the opportunity to applaud
and hail Senator Knox as the next
President. But the diners, apparently
loyal to the ambition of the executive
about to retire, did not show any pref
erence for Senator Knox as the Presi-
Dental nominee since, as some of those
present remarked this would place
Governor Stokes out of consideration
for the second place.
Senator Knox, however, was well re-
ceived, especially since he claimed
descent from New Jersey ~forefathers.
Senator Penrose, who had preceded
him in a happy extemporapeous talk,
had paved the way, as he, too, took
down his genealogical record and
showed that he had Jersey blood flow
ing through his veins.
NTyL.- AZ. k--l.--1
Governor Stokes by saying, 'They do
say thai he has governed New Jersey
we'll, and that still higher honors are
in store for him. there were prolonged
cheers.
This was interpreted by the thor
New Jersey crowd to mean
what Is nearest to the retiring execu-
tive's heart, the ce-Presidential nom
nation.
Murrell Dobbins, president of the So
ciety, at the beginning of the dinner
told how the occasion marked the 10th
anniversary Of New Jerseys ratifica-
ton of the Constitution, that State be-
ing the third to accept the Constitu-
ton.
Senator Penrose, who responded to
pennsylvania extolled the greatness
of the State. He told how he was
familiar with the bars and bays of New
Jersey from Cape May to Barnegat
Bay, as well as its edibles, cranberries,
crabs, Holsters and cells. Hergrew quite
facetious as he doled out these compile
ments.
II have a little Jersey blood in my
veins" said he. 81 never vas fond
enough of going back into my ancestry
to employ a genealogical expert to
make up my tree. I have felt like one
of Mark Twain's characters, who adopt
ed the gallows as his coat of arms.
But William Biddle, one of the orig
inal proprietors, who settled in Burling-
ton, was my direct ancestor. | gay
1 do not like to go back into my an
eestry, for, after serving in CromwelPs
army for some time, he served a term
in jail"
Governor Stokes, facing Senator
Knox, opened his speech on New Jer-
sey' by saying:
II am glad to meet so many sons of
Pennsylvania who have honored New
Jersey for so many purposes, health,
recreation and protection, that l think
a return call is a duty, which l pay
with pleasure, especially when sur
rounded by a next President, two
United States Senators and the Gov
ernor of Pennsylvania"
Governor Stokes, in hailing Senator
Knox as the text President, spoke SO
quickly that the remark either es-
capped the listeners or was Intentionally
ignored. 1t did not stir up a single
cheer.
After INDUCING in ~good-natured badi-
mage at the expense of Pennsylvania,
the Governor brought forth facts to
show that New Jersey. toe was great.
He told of the system OF taxation and
the absence of any debt.