Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-09-20
SENATOR kEAh
is IN CONTROL
Murphy and Stokes Both
Given a SIap--kean
Writes Platform.
CHOOSE EDMUND WILSON
Especial Corresnondence.l

Trenton, Sept. 20:-Following his de-
feat as q candidate for United States
Senator in the direct primaries, former
governor Franklin Murphy, chairman of
the Republican State Committee. swal-
lowed another bitter pill yesterday af-
ternoon when he found himself face to
face with the embarrassing situation of
having invited Senator Wakelee, of
Bergen, to act as temporary chairman
OF today's convention, and the members
of the committee refused to abide by
his decision.
Instead Of accepting Mr.. Wakelee as
the temporary presiding officer of the
convention, the state committee picked
Attorney General Edmund Wilson, Of
Red Bank, for the honor, thus humiliat-
ing both Messrs. Murphy and Wake]ee
while at the same time according dis
tinction to Governors Forts admin
istration.
AS already told, Senator Wakelee was
anxious to preside over the convention,
but encountered the opposition of the
Progressiyes and Fort men. It develop
ed at the meeting of the state commit
tee that Chairman Murphy had taken it
upon himself to send a letter to MI.
Wakelee asking him to serve as temper
airy chairman. When the Bergen coun-
ty men arrived in town yesterday af-
ternoon he was quickly advised of the
storm of protest that was being made
against according him the distinction.
He made a brief canvass of the situation
and found that to present his claims for
the craftsmanship would involve himself
and friends In a lively row with those
opposed to. him. AS things were lining
up, it was apparent that II the issue was
forced Wilson would be chosen over
Wakelee. Then Wakelee announced that
he had decided to decline the honor
which had been tentatively preferred
to him by former governor Murphy. AS
soon as the state committee got togeth-
er chairman Murphy announced Wake
lees decision, following which a COM
mittee consisting Of Senator Keans,
George Williams, Alfred Dalrymple and
Congressman Gardner, were appointed
to recommend a temporary chairman.
The chairman held a brief conference
and as prearranged suggested Wilson.
The choice of the Attorney General was
unanimous.
Former Governor Murphy keenly felt
the humiliating position into which he
So hfAahbSiA - hhO tboIp w AOISS HC16-
tor Wakelee to the front.
While the choice of a temporary
chairman was construed as a victory
for the anti-machine camp, the commit
tee took an entirely different tack In the
selection Of a s~ub-committe on platform.
Here the state committee recognized the
"old guard" and handed former gov
ernor E. G. Stokes a slap. For many
xyaa p StnGou hoo parra5 oo tho ohaSrropn
of the subcommittee on platform and
would have liked the honor this time.
But, he was peremptorily turned down
and Senator Keane made chairman with
congressman Gardner and Senator Wax
elee as aides in the work of whipping
the declaration of principles into shape
fer consideration by the resolutions
committee. of the convention.
James Parker, of Paterson, who has
been clerk of the House Of Assembly for
thirteen years, was chosen for the post
of secretary. The assistant secretaries
are Donald Mclean, of Union; Alfred
J. Hargan. of Essex; Howard Tyler, of
Cumberland; Aaron Melinker, Of Hud-
son; Upton s. Jeffries, Of Camden; and
Alex G. Yard, Of Trenton.
The fact was disclosed in the com
mittee that there are several drafts of
tentative platforms, and owing to the
differences of opinion with reference to
the declaration Of principles there was
no discussion Of the subject at yester-
day afternoons meeting.
John Rotterdam, of Hudson, stated
to the committee that the Republican
county committee of Hudson had failed
to apportion the fractional votes as re-
quired by law. There were 225 delegates
elected from Hudson county, whereas,
the delegation will have only 173 votes
In the convention. Frank Somers, of
Essex; Samuel K. Robbins, of Bur
lington, and George B. Whitney, of
Gloucester were appointed a committee
to settle all disputes as to the appor-
tionment Of fractional delegates.
The meeting Of the state committee
was attended by every member a record
never before made during the admins
~tration Of the Office of chairman by Mr..
Murphy which covers a period of eight
cen years except for the three years
he was serving as governor.