The Washington herald., 1907-01-22
DRYDEN THE NOMINEE
Deadlock Probable Senator
Lacks Majority Vote.
STORMY CONFERENCE IS HELD
Thirty-six of FOrty-fOur RepubIi-
cans Pledge Their support, This
Being Five short of Majority on
Joint BaIIOt-PoIiticaI Effect of
Dryden's Recollection Discussed.

Trenton, n. J., Jan. A.-United States
Senator John F. Dryden was declared the
caucus nominee Of the Republican party
to succeed himself in the Senate after
seven hours of conference between the
majority members of the two houses
Thirty-six of the forty-four Republicans
pledged their votes for the caucus being
five less than a majority on joint ballot
The caucus decision was reached at mid
night
The formal vote of the caucus stood
as follows:
John F Dryden. q; Justice Mahlon Pit
ney, 4; State Treasurer Frank o. Briggs
3; Banking and Insurance Commissioners
David o. Watkins, 3
Mr.. Dryden having received a majority
Of the votes cast was declared the noml-
nee. He was nominated by Senator Joseph
5. Frelinghuysen, OF Somerset. The caucus
action does not necessarily insure the
election of Mr.. Dryden, the probability
being that there viii now be a deadlock.
The conference before the caucus was
stormy one from the outset 1t was
started by the Introduction Of a resolu-
tion 10 transform il into a formal eau
Gus. The opposition to this was 50
strong that the resolution was with
drawn, and then for several hours the
members discussed the merits Of favor
lie candidates, the political effect of the
reelection of Senator Dryden. and other
matters more or less relevant.
Heated Debate Takes Place.
After many heated debates between the
members the question Of holding a eau
Gus was renewed. which resulted in d
vote showing that 81 OF the a Republi-
cans present We're willing to caucus:
seven agreed TO enter caucus provided
1t should have not less than Il I.embers
Ia attendance, and i've declared against
any caucus
When the vote on the question Of hold
ing caucus had been taken the Dryden
sympathizers, before permitting the re-
cess OF tie conference, spent more than
an hour trying 10 increase The number oI
Pledges 10 attend 10 Al, but without sue
cess.
Before the conference adjourned. Attor-
ney General McCarter was requested Il,
pass upon the question as 10 whether. u
1 = j ~
Of the entire Joint session would be re-
quired. The attorney general advised the
conference that only a majority OF a
quorum of each house would be needed
This ruling was hailed with satisfaction
by the Dryden people, who hoped thereby
TO force an election with less than a ma
j1rity Of the two houses.
Democrats Postpone Action.
The Democrats decided TO take any ad-
vantage possible OF the situation ard so
postponed the holding OF their joint eau
Gus, which was scheduled for tonight
until tomorrow morning. with an idea
that they would then have q line upon
the probable action Of the Republicans
1t was limited that the Democrats might
also leave their contest 70 be fought out
on the floor in joint session.
There is a spirited contest on between
the friends of President Woodrow VIII
son. Of Princeton University. and Col
Edwin A Stevens. Of Hoboken. Indica-
tons tonight were that should a caucus
be called President Wilson would be the
minority candidate. despite his efforts TO
have his name Withdrawn from Consid-
Grafton.
Assembyman Taylor. of Ocean. and
Assemblyman Tillman, Of Union, weak
ened in their intention to refrain from
attending the Republican caucus. and
shortly before midnight they joined the
other conferecs in the Supreme Court
room. This gave the caucus thirtv-six
members. which then declared for Mr..
Dryden.