The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-07-26
SEN. WAKELEE FOR GOVERNOR
Republican Leaders Turning to Him as
the One Tower of Real strength.


the One Tower of Real strength.
While less in the limelight than
some of the other Republican guber-
material possibilities, Senator Edmund
W. Wakelee' s boom is assuming such
formidable proportions that many OF
his party leaders incline to the belief
that the Bergen senator is the one
available candidate of sufficient poise
to oppose the g big man" the Demo
Gratis are expected to nominate.
Senator Wakelee is now completing
the twelfth year of legislative career
that is more remarkable in many re-
Spects than that of any other New
Jersey legislator of similar age.
Born November 81, 1869, the senator
was not thirty years old when he en-
tered the political arena during the
session of 1899 as an assemblyman
from Bergen county. Clear-eyed,
smooth shaven and with a youthful
appearance, which he still retains,
Assemblyman Wakelee was looked
upon as mere boy by his Republican
colleagues, as well as the Democratic
members.
That was for a brief period only.
From 1896 to 1899 the Republicans had
almost exclusive conLrol of the House,
as the Democrats had as low as four
members out of sixty in the first year
named, and but few more in 1895,
1917 and '9S.
In 1899 the minority had grown to
twenty three and every one of the
number was in debate the equal of the
majority leader of that session. AS
final adjournment approached some Of
the majority members showed signs Of
weakening and some pending party
measures had little show of being
enacted until Wakelee stepped into
the breach.
The young assemblyman had no
thought of usurping the nominal posi-
tion of leader, but the thorough knowl-
edge he displayed of every measure
pending, no matter what it's import,
and the masterful way in which he
met the opposition made him the nat
ural leader, and as has held that posi-
tion up to the present time in fact,
regardless of the nominal title by
which his colleagues addressed them.
In 1900 he was chosen nominal as
we'll as actual leader of the assembly
majority, and the same year was elect
ed senator from Bergen to fill the un-
expired term of William M. johnson,
who retired to become assistant post
master-general of the United States.
In 1901, 1904 and 1907 Wakelee was
elected for full terms, and is now serv-
ing the last year of his fourth term as
state senator.
During this period Senator Wakelee
has been president, leader and chair
man, and member of the more i'm
porUant standing and special commit
tees of the senate. One Of the most
important Of the latter the senator
was called upon to preside over was
the joint committee which investigat-
ed the affairs of the state riparian
commission in 1906.
The period covered by the investiga-
ti0n included the time George L.
Record had been employed as counsel
TO the commission. Mr.. Record was
then as now, one of the foremost lead
ers of the new idea movement. He
was also the choice of that party to
succeed John #. Dryden as United
States senator, and it was on that is
sue the new ideaites made their fight
at the September primaries in 1906.
The contest was clean cut, with the
regulars against the new ideaites, and,
while the latter carried the Essex pri-
maries, Everett Colby, then senator
and previously pledged to Record, did
not present the latter's name. The
Wakelee investigation had concluded
its work before the primary election
was held.
Senator Wakelee, although pro-
regular, did not support Sen
ator Dryden, either in 1902 or 1907. On
the former occasion he, with United
States Judge then Senator Joseph
Cross and Assemblyman Holman,
maintained deadlock for several bal
lots by voting for John w. Griggs, with
Senator Dryden and Edward G. Stokes
almost tied, until Judge Cross voted
for and elected Dryden. In 1907 Wake
lee did not vote for the latter, because
the voters of Bergen county had sup
ported the new idea ticket at the prl-
maries.
Senator Wakelee has had consider
able executive as well as legislative ex-
perience. He was president of the SEN
ate during the last year of Governor
Murphy's term, and served as acting
governor while the executive was in
Europe, and absent in the south and
west.
He represents Bergen county in the
state republican committee, and is a
member of the executive committee OF