Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-06-06
STOKES BOOM
STILL GROWS
Is Looked Upon as Logical
Compromise Candidate.
(From the NEWS Correspondent.)

(Front the NEWS CorrespoRdent.)
Trenton, June 6-Although there
is strong and growing sentiment all
over the state In favor Of the nomi-
nation of former Governor Edward c.
Stokes as the Republican candidate
for governor, Mr.. Stokes refrains
from making any definite declaration
as to whether he will be a candidate.
The attitude of former Governor
Stokes toward the question of his
nomination, however, is pretty gener-
ally known to his close friends. Mr..
| Stokes maintains his position of not
seeking the nomination, but his
| friends assert that If the Republicans
and Progressives will get together
and assure him of united support,
he will enter the field for the nomi-
nation.
From close friends Of Mr.. Stokes 1t
has been learned that he thinks that
the question of candidates Is not the
| first one to settle. The belief of Mr.
Stokes Ia that the leaders in both
factions Of the Republican party
should agree upon plan for ANAL
gamation, and then take up the Ques-
ton of the selection of candidate
who could lead the reunited party to
victory. Mr.. Stokes has said to his
friends that the early entry into the
| Republican arena of number of
candidates will only serve to inject
personalities into the campaign and
thus detract from the great issue,
which should be a concerted effort
| for victory In the gubernatorial cleo
! ton.
During the past two or three weeks
reports from all sections Of the state,
which have been received here, indi-
cate that the Stokes sentiment is in
creasing. 1t is known that Mr.. Stokes
himself has received very many fiat
terlng requests that he become a
candidate Those who have talked
with the Former governor say that
he will not enter the race unless the
movement In his favor be given some
definite, concrete form. The recent
statement Of David Baird. the South
Jersey Republican leader, that Mr.
Stokes should be nominated, has
strengthened the Stokes boom, al
though South Jersey has been strong
for him all along.
| Closely connected with the boom
for Mr.. Stokes is the new attitude of
some of the old time regular Repub-
| lican leaders, which Is more of an In
clination to accept progressive can
didate for governor. Even State
Chairman Edmund w. Wakelee ad-
mits the necessity of nominating
candidate who Is progressive, IL party
success Is to be won. The talk now
in the Republican camp, however, Is
that the nomination OF Republican
who is a progressive is very different
| from the selection OF a candidate
| who is an out and out Progressive.
| To have the regular Republicans
come in under the banner Of Pro-
gressive would mean the end of the
Republican party In New Jersey, as
such, and no state politician expects
to see anything like this happen.
The other side of the situation is
that candidate might be selected
who. while still q Republican, is pro-
gressive enough to suit all those who
have left the Republican camp and
become Progressive, except the ex-
tremists, and who also would have
the support of the regular Republi-
cans. Former Governor Stokes fits
very well into this place. and 1t is
this fact which is giving strength to
his boom. There are those both in
the Republican and Progressive
camps who say that If the two fac
tions would unite on some such can
didate as Mr.. Stokes, there would no
longer be any necessity for Pro-
gressive party in New Jersey. While,
under such circumstances the radi
calls among the Progressives might
insist on a third ticket, it's support
would be small and its influence prac-
tically nil.
Whether or not former State Sena-
tor Everett Colby will be able to COM
mand any considerable support from
the regular Republicans will depend
largely upon the declaration which
he is expected to make within a short
time. At present it is conceded that
former Senator Colby has not near
the strength among the regular Re-
publicans as Is possessed by former
Governor Stokes.
State political leaders express the
opinion that former Congressman
Charles M. Fowler, OF Union, in his
recent carefully prepared statement
sought to win support from both Re-
publicans and Progressives, as he did
not definitely declare himself for
either faction. Former Congress
man Fowler's announcement has not
been taken very seriously, and unless
there be some big change in the
political situation, 1t is not believed
his candidacy will be much of fac
tor In the campaign.
1t Is q foregone conclusion that the
regular Republicans will not accept
radical Progressive candidate such
as George L. Record or former AS
semblyman James G. Blauvelt.
The only hope for an amalgana-
ton seems to be that the Republican
party shall become progressive from
the state committee down, and then
shall select candidate who can har-
monize the voters in both camps.
Cnnfract Not Axyaf-ted