Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-10
THE NAMING OF
NUTT|NG ST|RS
STATE CRITICISM
His Appointment as Riparian
Commissioner and Bank Tax
Vote Commented Upon,
kSSEMBL YMEN SEEMED
TO ANTICIPATE OUTCOME
Was Supremely Confident That
He Was Not to Be a Loser
in the Big Controversy.

in the Big Controversy.
Especial TO the Evening star.I
TRENTON, April 10.It was with
amazement rather than surprise that
the announcement of the appoint-
ment by Governor Fielder of Assem-
blyman Charles A. Nutting as Ri
parian Commissioner, to succeed
Michael f. Mclaughlin. was received
yesterday here and throughout tho
State of New Jersey
It seemed so incredible that Doubt
ing Thomases" insisted upon a con-
f1rmation of the report before they
were convinced.
Assemblyman Nutting himself, how
ever, was not surprised. lie seemed
to know. for at least q month back,
that something nice In the way of an
official berth was in store for him IL
certain things came to pass, provided
he was a factor in accomplishing re-
suits.
His colleagues in the Assembly
twitted him numerically yesterday
after his name was read from tho
list OF nominations sent to the Senate,
and half in jest and half IN earnest
asked him how he came to get it,
and what did you do to earn it?p
There was other comment by no
means pleas -ng to hear and consider
able reference to a continuation of
the Wilson tactics" having been
resurrected by the present State ad-
ministrat.on
Governor Wilson, it was openly
and widely charged by press and pub
lie had ann1faH
with vtgor and skill to drive oppon-
ents of his measures and policies into
ne, and he was quite successful at
the game. Senators and assembly
men who had dared him and ex-
pressed hostility to his views were
eventually wheeled into line. and
many of them are now holding down
fat jobs the gifts of the then gov
ernor.
Corrupt Practice Act.
In resenting the Wilson method IL
WAS frequently declared that the cot.-
rupt practise act and other laws that
touched on the subject were being
Violated, the contention beng that
the tender of an Office To a person.
as an inducement 20 change his votg
or give his vote on a questiar,-szzs.s !
feruaTiyy is frtfTnlinai as If monee had
been paid. There were suegest ofls Il
impeachment proceedings, but tho
practise went on just the same.
is the Wilson policy in this regard
TO be revived and pursued, is a aues-
ton being freely asked today
Are senators and assemblynaen TO
be the recipients Of offices at the be-
stoWal of Governor Fielder, and, IL
SO, what senators and assemblymen,
and why? That's another question
that Is going the rounds
As to the Nutting appointment, it
Is being asked: What party or other
service has he rendered that would
warrant his selection for the position
of riparian commissioner or any other
job?
What peculiar qualifications has
he for the duties OF riparian commis-
sioner?"
He has none, is the answer re-
turned, but in the same breath 1t is
said;
you know he is an auetioneer and
that is significant. Auctioneers can
talk almost anybody into bargain
of some sort"
Nutting stood by Governor Fielder
on the bank tax bill Is given as a
solution of the problem, and it is re-
called that during the controversy
over this measure Governor Fielder
expressed supreme confidence in his
ability to wean certain Democratic
Assembly votes over to his side
That the governor had Nutting in
mind as one of those he was count
Ing upon was the general belief, and
Nutting's attitude and actions con-
vinced observers that he had some
arrangements with the governor
whereby the latter was safe in feel
Ing that Nutting would line up with
him.
What the understanding was could
not be conJectured, but there could be
no doubt about an understanding
having been reached.
Nutting's Supreme Confidence.
During the last few weeks of the
Legislative session, Nutting manifest
ed a supreme indifference to what
was going on, and In his aggravating
way seemed disposed to pick quar-
rels with his former Essex friends.
His motive was plain, and he was
left severely alone. It was evident
that he was looking for an excuse to
break away from his fellows and use
It. as a pretext to cloak his real pur
pose, which was 20 go over to Fielder
and vote for the bank tax bills and
such other measures as the governor
might insist upon.
Nutting would sit back in his chair.
legs extended and thumbs thrust in
the lapels of his vest during sessions
OF the House, giving the impression
that he was well satisfied with him
self and with what the near future
held out for him. He had made UP
his mind to vote as he had promised
the governor, thoroughly confident
that any assurances given him by the
governor would be carried out.
Nutting voted for the bank bill as
originally favored by the governor.
Governor Fielder yesterday made
Nutting q riparian commissioner at
81 500 u year, the term to last i've
years.
The duties of this job will not great-
/ ly interfere with Nutting's business
as an auctioneer, 1t is said
| What Inference lie to be drawn from
! the appointment OF Nutting? Per-
haps Governor Fielder may desire to
exp ain.
Is the policy of appointing senator's
and assemblymen who could and did
support certain measures to office to
| continue and to spurn others who ex-
| pressed opposite views and voted ac-
cord 'ng to their conscientious con-
victions?
:, woodrow Wilson pursued this
course from start to finish while Cow
/ ernOr and he was severely criticised