The Washington herald., 1907-02-04
PLAN OF ACTION CHANGED.
New Jersey Republicans VIII Hold a
Caucus Tonight

Trenton. n. J.. Feb. 3.-The news Of
Mr.. Dryden's withdrawal from the Sena-
torial race spread through the State with
surprising rapidly and through the lat
ter part of the afternoon and evening
there were many hurried long distance
conferences between the Republican lead
ers, who are pretty generally scattered on
Sunday. The plan of action practically
agreed upon tonight is that instead Of
the hearing at which Mr. Dryden was
20 have presented his claims for re-elec-
ton tomorrow afternoon, there shall be
q Republican caucus tomorrow night 10
agree. if possible. upon his successor be
fore the balloting is resumed on Tuesday
Senator Hillery and Assemblyman Barber,
the Republican leaders in their respec-
tive houses, each agreed tonight to aid
In having the caucus called and now
that Senator Dryden is effectually out Of
the way, il is not anticipated that there
will be any serious opposition TO the eau
Gus.
Il is probable that when the caucus is
called not less than half j dozen names
wifi be presented for consideration. in
Q
state Treasurer Frank .. Briggs, Justice
Mahlon Pitney. David Baird, Senator
William J. Bradley, Representative John
I j. Gardner. David o. Watkins, and posi-
/ bly, Chandler W. Riker. or some other
candidate from Essex County.
Heretofore Mr.. Griggs has been the only
one Of the four regarded as an acts:al
| candidate
/ Mr. Briggs. who has been leading the
fight for Mr. Dryden. has persistently re-
/ fused 10 be considered a candidate until
F the receipt OF Mr.. Dryden's telegram an
nouncing his withdrawal Mr. Briggs,
however. consented to-day to become an
aspirant for the Office and his position is
admittedly a strong one.
Although Mr. Briggs has been picked as
the probable successor Of Mr.. Dryden. the
attitude of Gov Stokes viii probably
have an important bearing on the result.
Z The governor arrived at the Statehouse
late tonight He found kilograms and
telephone messages from all parts Of the
State awaiting him. He went direct 20 his
private Office, declining 10 discuss Ia any
phase the withdrawal OF MT Dryden or
the political situation presented thereby.
The retirement OF Mr. Dryden = the
termination Of one of the bitterest politi-
cal struggles in New Jersey for many
years When he was elected five years
ago to I'LL the unexpired term Of Gen.
SewelI II was in the face OF a strong
opposition, based at that time mainly
upon the fact that he had not rendered
his party such service as to enttle him 20
the office. Since then the opposition has
been cumulative. It began To crystalline
about two years ago. and was made the
principal issue OF the Colby reform move
meut which brought out George L.
Record as an opposing candidate. Mr.
Record was acceptable TO many Of the
refoTmers, and was made an utter i'm
possibility by the riparian investigation
Of last year
The result was that the anti-Dryden
forces went 10 the primaries without "a
particular candidate against Mr.. Dryden.
The fight was waged most bitterly in
Mr.. Dryden's home county, and he was
victorious at the primaries, although the
methods employed to accomplish this re-
suit only served to aggravate the public
sentiment against him.