Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-11-23

SITUATION
UNCHANGED
But Few Politicians Gather
at Trenton on Governors
Day. Chances.
ORGANIZATION OF HOUSE
AT A STANDSTELL
{ speciaI Correspondence


Trenton, Nov. 23:-In contradiction
to the experience Of many years. the
dullest place for obtaining a line on
what is likely to happen Under the in
coming administration, was the State
House corridors yesterday. Only
handful Of legislators appeared on the
scene and they might as well have been
absent so far as helping to determine
how the Legislature will be organized
or the United States senatorial contest
settled. Tt was the second Governor s
Day. following election, an occasion
that has heretofore resulted in the cap
itol being the mecca for Lawmakers and
politicians Of Importance. From the
fact that there were 30 many conspicu-
Gus by their absence, it was apparent
that the tip had been put out for legis-
lators and those seeking patronage un-
der them to keep away from Trenton
for the present
House Organization
Z So far as the organization of the
House of Assembly is concerned,
things are practically at a standstill.
As already told, Assemblyman Edward
Kenny, the dean of the majority side
seems to have the inside track for the
Speakership goal. For twenty years
Assemblyman John j. Matthews, of
Huntordon, has been a familiar figure
at all of the Governor s Day. gath
erings following election, no matter
which side won. Yesterday, however,
he was among the missing. Mr. Mat
thews is hoping that things may turn SO
that he may capture the SpeakeFship,
and if not this honor, at least the mi
nority leadership. The wiseacres say
that he has no chance for the Speak
ership, and that it is doubtful, on &C
count Of his legislative record, whether
he win be considered seriously for the
post of leader.
Gossip about the organization of the
Legislature was wholly incidental to the
talk about the United States Senator
ship, which has become the paramount
subject of political discussion through
out the State.
Those who are watching things close
ly In behalf of James Z. MARITIME whose
candidacy represents the principle of
popular choice of Senators, were serene
and confident of the situation from their
point Of view notwithstanding the let
ter addressed by the eleven Democratic
James Smith, Jr., in which they request
him to become candidate for United
States Senator and promise their votes
to him if he decides to enter the race
Smith to Withdraw.
It was learned during the day that
as late as last Saturday afternoon, Mr..
Smith had intimated to friends that he
had about concluded to announce that
he was not candidate for the Senator
ship. The carefully prepared statement
that he issued for publication on Sun
day foreeasted such an intention on his
part. That there was tremendous con-
cern among Mr.. Smith g friends immed-
lately following the Sunday declaration
of the former is afforded by the know
ledge that the Essex Assemblymen-
elect were called into midnight con-
ference in Newark on the Sabbath with
out the slightest previous intimation of
the meeting. 1t was at this conference
dominated by James Nugent, Chairman
of the Democratic State Committee, and
chief political man for Mr.. Smith, that
the Assemblymen were induced to sign
the letter to Mr. Smith, which had been
prepared under the hand of Mr.. Nu-
gent.
Essex Offers Way Out.
The endorsement of Smith by the Es-
sex Assemblymen is being taken with
varying opinions. Assemblyman Chris
tie, of Hudson county, said that many
Democrats in Jersey City were of the
opinion that it was only factor in the
approaching withdrawal of Smith from
the race. In other words, the indorse-
ment was inspired in order to let Smith
get out of the race with the glory of
the favor of his own delegation. On
the other hand there were other North
Jersey men at the State House, not leg
islators, who were of the opinion that
Smith would surely be the choice. "It
would not be surprising" (" declared one,
g to see him go to Florida pretty soon
and then be called back to take the
nomination, as he did before when elec-
ted"
Some of Senator Smith s old-time
friends who were at the Capitol, de-
elared with emphasis that when the
caucus is held, the solid delegation from
Hudson county will line up for the Es-
sex man, and that in addition he will
have the solid delegations from both
Middlesex and Morris counties, thus
insuring him the caucus nomination.
Get Silzer in Line
1t was stated that when Robert Da-
Wis, the Hudson leader, who has been
f~on+fuuad an ,,oga 0