Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-25
SENATOR WAKELEE
GOVERNOR BOOM
GROWING APACE

- n.a. 81
twenty-three and every one of the
number was in debate the equal of the
majority leader of hat session. Al
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.
He Wins His Spurs.
The young assemblyman had no
thought of usurping the nominal posi-
ton 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 natural leader,
ard he has held hat position up to the
present time in fact, regardless of the
nominal title by which his colleagues
addressed them.
In 1900 he was chosen nominal rs
we'll as actual leader of the Assembly
majority, and the same year was elect
ed senator from Bergen to fill the I'M
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
a State senator.
During this period Senator Wakelee
has been president, leader and chair
man, and member of the more i'm
portant standing and special commit
tees of the Senate. One Of the most
important of the latter the senator
vas called upon to preside over. was
the joint committee which investigated
the affairs of the State Riparian Com
mission In 1906.
Heads the Riparian Investigation.
The period covered by the ~investiga-
ton 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 F. Dryden as United
States senator, and it was on that Issue
the New Ideaites made their fight al
the September primaries in 1905.
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 a pro-
nounced Regular. did not support Sen
ator Dryden, either in 1902 or 1867. On
the former occasion he, with United
| States Judge-then Senator Joseph
Cross-and Assemblyman Holman
maintained a deadlock for several bal
lots by voting for John w. Griggs. with
Senator Dryden and Edward. G. Stokes
almost tied, until Judge Cross voted fol-
and elected Dryden. In 1907 Wakelet
liz not vote for the latter. because tho
voters OF Bergen county had supported
the New Idea ticket at the primaries.
Senator Wakelee has had considerable
executive as well as Legislative expert
ence. He was President of the Senat'
during the last yea Of Governor Muir
phys term. and served as acting Gov
erhor while the executive was in Flu
rope, and absent in the South and Wesi
He represents Bergen county In tn
State Republican Committee, and is
member of the executive committee o
that body. When not making laws O
helping mould party affairs, Senate
Wakelee is busy practising law as tn
senior member of Wakelee. Thornall I
Wright, with Offices in New York an
Hackensack,