Gloucester County Democrat., 1911-11-16
OUR TRENTON CORRESPONDENT.

VUA <1AENlVh CUhhESEV VNOENls
Trenton, November 14.One of the
first legislators to enter the State
House this morning to mingle with the
Governors Day" crowd was Assem-
blyman Thomas F. McCran, of Pas
sale, who Immediately stated that he
was a candidate for the Speaker of
the House. A few minutes later As
seunblyman Albert DeUnger, of Cam
den, appeared on the scene and an
nounced that he also was an aspirant
for the speakership. Both McCran
and DeUnger buttonholed fellow
members of the House as fast as they
arrived with pleas for support of their
candidacy. No member Of the Re-
publican Essex county delegation was
present. Leader Dalrymple was also
absent up to noon and consequently
no line could be secured on how I4e
twelve Essex votes will be cast on
the question of who will preside over
the Assembly proceedings. Although
Senator Prince, of Passaic, was not
here to-day, his friends said that he
was, of course candidate for Presi-
dent of the Senate Senator Leavitt,
of Mercer, announced his ambition to
be leader of the Upper House. Sena-
tor Nichols, of Cumberland, said that
he did not entertain the thought of
capturing the presidency of the Sem.
ate and that he was strongly in favor
of the honoring of Mr.. Prince. Sena-
tor Nichols said he would like to be
majority leader but admitted he had
doubts of whether he would be able
to make the place.
****
The question of the Democratic lead
ership in the Assembly, the honor
carrying with it the craftsmanship of
the minority caucus in the House, has
led to three-cornered contest in the
Hudson county delegation. The sit
uation is causing more than passing
interest because it involves the OPP
position of former United States Sen
ator James Smith, Jr., to Governor
Wilson. The contest is between AS
semblyman Charles NJ Egan, of Jer-
sey City, who supported Governor
Wilson all through the last session;
Assemblyman Thomas F. MARITIME, of
North Hudson, who voted for former
Senator Smith for the iSenatorship, and
1SoGulDly llldu luOlldS Il n. NTIlllu,
of Jersey City, Mr.. Egan has for
mally announced himself as candi-
date for the place and his friends are
working for him. Now comes the
news that friends of former Senator
Smith have started to do all they can
to aid Martin and defeat Egan 1t is
said that Assembly man-elect George
Brensinger and Joseph Branegan, both
of Hudson, are out for Martin and are
seeking to win converts for him.
There is already considerably specu-
lation among State House politicians
as to the attitude the progressive
Senators among the Republicans will
take during the session Senator
Isaac Nichols, of Cumberland, during
the last session displayed strong in
dependence at all times, and on sew
eral occasions supported Governor
Wilson and his policies. Should he
follow this course in the session of
1912 it will embarass the Republican
majority considerably in putting
through party propositions. The sit
uatiQn will be further complicated by
the fact that Senator Colgate, of Es-
sex, Senator Pierce, of Union, and
Senator Smalley, Of Somerset, have
progressive tendencies and should
they refuse to stand with the reg
ulars" at any time, the Republican
legislature would be completely tied
up.
1t was said at the State House to-
day that Senator Walter E. Edge, of
xrv.I ~ s,lo -,
for the Presidency of the Senate or for
the. position of Republican leader. 1t
is said that Senator Edge will endea-
vor to get for himself one or the 9TH
er of these positions. This move of
the Atlantic leader will make the or
ganization question an interesting one
Without doubt Senator Prince, of Pas
sale, will be the leading candidate for
the presidency. Senator Leavitt, of
Mercer, who has been talked of as
, Republican leader, to-day announced
himself as candidate for that posi-
ton, and if Senator Edge goes after
either place the contest will undoubt-
eddy be lively one.
The result of the election in Camden
county eliminates William A. Murphy
from consideration for the secretary
ship of the Senate. Murphy was sec
retary during the last session but in
the September primary campaign
worked in favor of the nomination of
Senator William ]. Bradley, who was
opposed by David Baird Bradley
!, failed to land the nomination and so,
!, of course, the election of Read as
Senator makes it certain that Murphy
will have no show for his old job.
There is already talk that the Senate
secretaryship may go to Upton S..
, Jefferys, Of Camden county, who has
!, always been Baird lieutenant JEFF
ferys was for several years assistant
; clerk of the Assembly.
, BY unanimously pledging support
J to the movement to nominate Governor