The Washington herald., 1908-04-22
New Jersey Expected to Ad-
here to Usual Custom.
GOVERNOR FORT IS FOR TAFT
Other Candidates for Places as Dele
gates-at-large Include Two Former
Governors and the Two Present
United States senators-Kean and
Briggs Opposed to Administration
50 70 The washington Hsrnld.

Trenton. n. J.. April a.-There is every
Indication that both the personnel and
the attitude Of the delegation from New
Jersey to the Republican national con
vention will be Of general interest and
perhaps Of crucial Importance
Advocates Of Presidential possibilities
have been at work more or less quietly in
] this State for months, and the outcome
or The convention that will meet IN Tren-
ton May 8 to choose the four delegates
/ at irge is a topic OF eager discussion
/ from the Hudson 10 the Delaware. This
geographical location, between New York
and Pennsylvania, each with a Presi-
dental aspirant Of its own, coupled with
/ the fact that New Jersey has in Gov.
/ Fort an available figure for the second
place on the Republican national ticket
makes the situation one that attracts in
| creasing attention.
! The political Importance of New Jersey.
in addition TO the strength OF its twenty
four delegates in the Chicago convention.
is enhanced by its continued cIasslfica-
ton as doubtful State, though its Re-
publican majOrities have been substantial
| with local exceptions) since 1895.
Location Exerts Influence,
Both this location between two greater
States and the temperament of the party.
especially in those counties not directly
affected by large element Of suburban
residents. have exerted their influence
toward making New Jersey Republicans
cling 70 the tradition. and very often 10
the practice, OF political independsnca
Thus 1t is the custom here for Repuh-
licans TO send a delegation-at-larg 10 the
national convention without Instructions
The indications are that this custom
Will be followed this year. as certain
delicate Inquiries have convinced the
friends of Presidential aspirants that il
would be impoiitic TO seek for instruc-
uons, or even 70 solicit any expression
or preference. This does not mean.
however that the inclinations of tie
probable observation-disclosures as we'll as of
many Of the district delegates. are not
we'll known.
There are six ayowed asplrants for the
four positions as delegates-at-large. tt
has been the custom of the New Jersey
Experimentation a custom not an
broken-to send as their delegates-at-
large 10 national conventions the gov
ernor OF the State. the two United States
Senators (when Republicans and the
chairman Of the Republican State com
mittee.
Aspirants for DeIeEatcxhips.
The recognized asplrants for this honor
this year are ex-Gov. John w. Griggs. of
Paterson; ex-Gov. Franklin Murpny. of
Newark: Gov. Fort, the two United /
States Senators. Kean and Briggs. and I
David Baird. OF Camden.
The two United States Senators are op-
posed to the nomination of Taft-Kean. 4
perhaps, more openly than Briggs-hut
that IS recognized as their position. They
are not rec6Oned as with the Federal 4
IN its attitude toward cor
porations- Despite certain friendly and
social relations, neither Kean nor Briggs
can be counted to uphold the wishes of /
MI. Roosevelt in the Chicago convention.
Gov. Fort is avowedly for Taft
David Baird, the Republican leader in
the southern part of New Jersey. is
against Taft and in favor of the nomina
ton Of Knox. Of Pennsylvania.
The best prophecy is that the four dele
gates-at-large viii be United States Sen
ators kean and Briggs anti-Taft; Gov.
Fort himself possible nominee for Vice
president for Taft, and Baird, for Knox. !
Baird for Knox.
Whatever contest may be produced in
the state convention viii be for or against
these four names. Of whom. but one. il
viii be noted, is for the nomination Of
Taft while one Of them is for Knox. of
Pennsylvania In that attitude. Mr.
Baird is perhaps influenced by his local
ty, his home being in Camden, Just
across the Delaware River from Phlla-
ielphia, while his business interests would
cause him 70 favor the national encour-
Igement Of the merchant marine. a policy
strongly upheld by many Pennsylvania
Whether or not this indus
rial and commercial interest, involving
both capital and labor, has anything Ia
10 with it, the fact is freely admitted
hat there prevails among the Repub- {
leans, Of Southern New Jersey, a strong !
sentiment for Knox. ;
There is 10 be an opportunity afforded ,
O show. in a semi-public and social way.
more or less definitely, the strength of
he Knox feeling IN New Jersey. when :
he Republican Club Of Mercer County :
ives its annual dinner at Trenton on r
april 90 Invitations TO speak at that 5
Inner have been accepted by Senator
knox, Gov. Fort, and Senator Curtis. of ?
Kansas. 1t is interesting to observe in +
his connection that Secretary Taft was r
he guest last fall at a dinner of the :
'rentOn chamber of commerce, and that !
uTing hi visit he also, under the J
uspices OF Gov Fort, made a brief ad-
ress to the legislature. But in each case
iscussion of the Presidential nomination
7as omitted