Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-03-26
SENATE QUITS
IN FACE OF
FITzHERBERT
(From the NEWS correspoadent.)


Trenton, March 26:- Senator
Richard Fitzherbert, Democrat. OF
Morris county, who was voted by the
Republicans in the Senate guilty of
conduct unbecoming his duty and
trust as Q senator, for his connec-
came to the State House yesterday
afternoon for the first time since the
close OF his trial. He threatened to
take his seat In the Senate, and the
hreat stirred UP lot of excitement.
The Senate was called to meet at 3
O'Clock. It lacked less than a half
hour of three when the Morris coun-
ty Senator told the newspaper men
that he proposed to take his seat
when the Senate met.
AS soon as the Republican Sena-
tors heard of this there was lively
scurrying for q conference. Presi-
dent Prince was absent, but Senator
Edge called the Senate to order and
Senator Leayitt Immediately moved
a recess of fifteen minutes, which
was adopted. Senator Fitzherbert
was not then in the Senate Chamber,
though he had been q few minutes
before. The Republicans all hurried
into the Presidents room where they
remained forty minutes discussing
what should be their course.
Fitzherbert Returned.
Meanwhile Senator Fitzherbert re-
turned and talked with Senator
Fielder, of Hudson, and Johnson of
Bergen, both fellow Democrats Both
advised him to go home and not at
tempt at this late stage of the ses-
sion to stir up trouble. Later Fitz-
herbert went to the Governors office.
Senator Colgate came from the con-
ference room and talked with Sena-
tors Fielder and Johnson sas to Sem
ator Fitzherbert's Intentions The
decision In the Republican confer
ence was that If the Morris Senator
attempted to take his seat, a resolu-
ton would be offered providing for
an Investigation of the report that
Fitzherbert had attempted to hold up
the Lehigh Valley Railroad railroad
for retainer in reurn for his vote for
the Morris Canal Abandonment bill.
With President Prince absent at
the time, the Republicans lacked one
vote of being able to take any part
isan action, but Senator Prince was
expected later and the plan was to
push through the other probe resolu-
ton If the Gentleman from Morris
insisted on taking his seat. Senator
Fitzherbert was delayed in seeing the
Governor because many visitors were
ahead of him.
Sees the Governor.
A - -
up regular work with the Morris
county seat vacant. Some time after
this Fitzherbert got his aud&snee
with the Governor. The Governor
did most of the talking and 1t could
be seen that ne was not mincing
words. When Senator Fitzherbert
left the Governors private office he
wore a very detected look.
At the close of this conference the
Governor received the Newspaper
men. He was asked for asstatement
on the Fitzherbert case. He said he
had just talked with the Senator
from Morris.
''It would hardly be fair for me
to discuss the matter now, ne said.
II want to be perfectly fair with
Senator Fitzherbert. I expect to hear
from him within a few hours, and
if do not then / will make state
ment.s This was generally inter-
preted to mean that the Governor
was looking for the Morris Senator
to resign, and If he did not do so,
then the Executive would speak his
mind
Governor Wilson made an appoint
ment with the newspaper men to
meet them again last night. but then
he stated that although he had not
heard from the Senator he would not
speak further until he had received
some word.