Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-11-18
MAYOR
OF BRUNSWICK
MAY BECHOSEN
w. {. FIorance Mentioned as
Next State Comptroller
His Boom Launched.
ROAD COMMISSIONER Is.
ALSO TO BE NAMED
(speeial Correspondancel

Trenton, Nov. 1S:-Friends of
former Mayor w. E. Florance, of
New Brunswick, have started boom
tor him for the comptrollership. in
place of Harry J. West, whose term
OF office will expire February 81 next
and whose successor will be chosen
by the legislature In joint session
where the Democrats will have a
majority of twenty-one
Mr.. Florance is prominent law
yer in New Brunswick and is consid-
cred high type of citizen. He is an
influential Democrat in Middlesex,
and friends declare that he has strong
claims for recognition by the Demo-
cratic legislature. Last winter he
was the Democratic minority candf-
date for the state treasurership when
Daniel Voorhees, was reelected to "a
second term by the Republican ma
jority. The offices OF comptroller
and treasurer are classed as compan-
ion ones and in this view it is argued
In behalf of Mr.. Florance that his
choice by the Democrats last winter
for the place filled by Mr.. Voorhees,
makes him logical favorite for the
comptrollership.
Middlesex Democrats insist that
their county has strong claims upon
the incoming administration in the
distribution Of honors and patronage.
They point out that they have twice
elected a State senator in four years
besides sending delegation of DEM
ocratic assemblymen down to Tren-
ton three years out of the last four
Nh nt hAp ~ fhn
point out, has such a political record
except the four that are classed as
always Democratic.
General William Heppenheimer, OF
Jersey City, who has been mentioned
as a possible Democratic successor to
Comptroller West, is quoted as say
ing that he does not care for the
Office and will not be candidate.
AS the capital city of New Jersey,
Trenton has managed under all adj
ministrations to gather in large
number of congenial and remnnera-
tive political berths for it's citizens,
and at the present time large NUM-
Der of local Democrats are making
plans to capture official berths for
themselves.
One of the first appointments that
Governor Wilson will have to make
will be the naming of a successor to
Colonel Frederick Gilkyson, of this
city, as Commissioner of Pablo
Roads. This place will become va
cant few days after DIR. Wilson is
inaugurated. 1t pays salary of
$4,000 per annum and in the ineurl-
bent is furnished with an automobile
maintained. at the expense of the
State, For many years under Re-
publican governors this Office has
been regarded as political patronage
for Mercer county Figuring that it
will be viewed in the same way by
Governor Wilson, Andrew j. Berrien,
tax receiver of Trenton, will be urged
for appointment as Colonel GiIkY
sons successor. Mr. Berrien is con.
sidered one of the most popular aud
able representatives of the younger
Democracy in Trenton.
In connection with the considera-
tion of Mr.. Berrien's name for the
State office it is interesting to note
that his first political Job WAS rs see
retary of the Trenton Board of Park
Commissioners, where he succeeded
Colonel Gilkyson. Three years ago
he was the Democratic candidate for
tax receiver against the latter and
defeated him. Judging the future by
the past friends OF Mr.. Berrien think
that his chances are very fine to sue
ceed Colonel Gilkyson.
Joseph s. Hoff, q prominent mer-
chant Of Princeton, who Is chairman
of the Democratic County Committee,
is also talked about for the road COM
missionership under Governor Will
son. He is one of the few men prom
inent in political affairs who had an
acquaintanceship with the governors
elect before the beginning of the cam
paign. Dr. Wilson is known to en-
tertain g high opinion OF Mr.. Hof.
1t Is scarcely likely that there will be
any contest for the State job between
Messrs. Berrien and Hofr, as which
ever finally has his claim pressed
upon the incoming governor will be
proceeding from harmonious action.
Another local candidate for one OF
the good state House berths is Coun-
Gilman Alfred Wilson. who would
like to succeed John w. Weseman, OF
Newark, as custodian of the Capitol
Az already stated. the State Honse
Commission will become Democratic
in control with the inauguration OF
Governor Wilson and the spasequent
election of a Democrat as comptrol-
ler. The salary of the custodian IS
SO, 900 per annum-