Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-29
GOVERNOR HEARS
G. 0. P. DEFEAT
OPENLY PREDICTED
Sea Girt Guests Startled When
Republican Makes I'm
usual Assertion.
INFORMAL ADDRESS BY
GOVERNOR is OMITTED
GubernatoriaI and Senatorial
Prospects Are Chief Topics of
Conversation During Day.

The Republican party deserves de-
feat, and this is the time 1t should and
will meet it," was the somewhat dis
turbing remark made yesterday within
the portals of the Little White
House" at the summer capital in the
presence of Governor John Franklin
Fort and few of his distinguished
guests.
Had the remark emanated from a
Democrat or even a pessimistic Pro-
gressive it might have passed un-
noticed
Coming as it did. however, from a
close friend of the governor, the latter
could hardly permit it to pass un-
noticed, and suggested to the sponsor
of the sentiment that, while personal
feelings were a matter of right. such
remark ought not to be made in
public
This brought forth a reiteration of
the belief expressed. and a declaration
that 1t was intended to be public, and
not mere personal opinion privately
expressed.
That assertion was accepted as re-
moving the obligation which ordinarily
on occasions such as that of yesterday
causes guests to refrain from dis
cussing remarks that may or may not
be intended for the general public.
As a result, while the executive
~
soon whispered about. and later adj
vanced as one of the reasons why
Governor Fort during the luncheon de-.
parted from his invariable custom Of
at least informally addressing his
guests.
Governor -Omifs Address.
1t was not, however. the real reason
why. the governor omitted an address
on this occasion to what was one of
the largest gatherings of men active
in State affairs ever assembled on the
Knoll adjoining the executive cottage.
1t has been Governor Forts custom
whenever he contemplated talking. in
formally or otherwise. to give the
newspaper men an advance idea of
what he intended to say, IL not proofs
of his address. subject to release
orders.
Up to noon yesterday the governor
had made no such preparation in ad-
vance. As the representative character
of the assemblage seated within and
around the big white tent was OBJ
served it was assumed that the gov
ernor would feel called upon to saw
something. 1t would of necessity had
to have been more OF less political. and
this might have been embarrassing. in
view of the large number of Demo-
Gratis. as well as both Republican fac
tions and general mixed assemblage
present
Every branch of the State govern
ment was represented under the tent
where Governor Fort sat at the head
of the table. with Senator Frank o.
Briggs, Chancellor Mahlon Pitnev.
former Governor Edward C. Stokes
and she Rev. Dr. Ballard on his inn
mediate. right and Senator John Kean.
Chief Justice William G. Gummere.
former Governor Foster M. Voorhees,
and David Baird ON the left Then
came members of the Legislature.
heads of departments and members Of
the various State boards
Candidates Lunch Outside of Tent.
With the exception of Kean. Stokes
and Baird, all the active candidates
for Office present lunched outside the
tent gathered in small groups with
their personal friends, endeavoring to
learn what might have happened to
their fences during the day. What
ever may have happened left no outer
mark. No booms were busted NO
states smashed, because none exist
and the general impression seemed n
be that only the eve of the convention
will tell what either party may do. SO
far as a gubernatorial candidate is
concerned.
Governor Fort carefully RETAINED
from taking an active part in the dis
cussion of the political outlook. Dur
ing the early part of the day he was
engaged on official business with yari-
GUS State boards.
Then as the guests began to assemble
the Governor took up his usual place IN
the porch and extended a personal
greeting to all. He did not have the
opportunity of greeting the chairman
of the State Republican Committee but
was equally as effusive in his welcome
to Vice Chairman Stokes as to Chair
man James r. Nugent. of the state
Democratic Committee.
The hearty handshake between the
executive and "Davy'' Baird seemed
genuine, and it probably was If "Uncle
Davy'' had not been turned down for
reappointment to the State Board OF
Assessors. he might not be making as |
active a canvass as he is for United
States Senator. and the senatorial am |
bitions once cherished by the Governor |
might be more in the ascendant. |
Baird's friends say he will win out and |
the South Jersey leader. who SAYS he |
was never more in earnest. entertains |
the same opinion.
Mr.. Baird has had an eye on Wasiis |
Ington for many years, and confidently |
expected to go there as successor to the I
late General sewell in 1902. According
TO the program arranged on that occa-
sion Baird was to have been elected I
on the ballot following the one on
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