Perth Amboy evening news., 1914-07-17
CARRANzA WILL.
CONTROL GOVERNMENT /
EARLY IN NEXT WEEK
LINING UP FOR /.
BIG DEMOCRAT TIC.
FIGHT IN STATE.
spec,a, to the EVENING NEWS.

Special to the EVENING NEWS.
Trenton, July II: With fve
Smith Nugent Democrats placed in
important positions In the state
house; with Governor Fielder-ss
day-flirting with the reactionary
wing OF the Jersey Democracy, and
with James R. Nugent, of Essex,
demonstrating his power in the par
ty. as he did during the last two leg
islatures, state politicians are CIV
ing earnest speculation as to how
long President Wilson and the Pro-
gressive Democrats are going to
maintain control Of the party in this
state. During the last legislative
session. and since then, State Comp
troller Edward l. Edwards has shown
his alignment with the Nugent fore
es. Laws enacted by the last legis-
lature have added greatly to his pow
|er as state Official and the manner
In which he got Governor Fielder to
join him In forcing the election of
Jchn A. Smith, a Nugent Democrat,
of Camden county, as custodian Of
, the capitol, indicated that he pro-
poses to use his augmented power.
1t Is largely due to Comptroller
Edwards that the reactionarieJ have
got their foothold in the state house.
AS state comptroller he draws sal
Fary of $4,000 q year, though usually
he is only at the capitol ON Tuesdays
|aEd holds one OF the most important
state Offices Under his political
control ha has Gtato Auditor John
Nevin, salary $4,000. and Assistant
Auditors Arthur F. McGrath, of
Hudson, and Mark F. Phillips, of Els
sex, salary $4,000 each. Capitol
Custodian Smith, with his salary of
$500, completes the quintet Of
battle In the Smith-Nugent ranks
from the vantage ground OF lucrative
state Offices, with their attendant in
fuence.
That there is going to be big
fight between the two Democratic
factions is certain. Nugent is still
boss of Essex, and is pushing his In
fuence into other counties. He has
recently visited Middlesex, in the
interest Of an anti Wilson ticket.
Lines are already drawn for q
lively scrimmage in Hudson, as
shown by the fact that Auditor Nc
Grath, who is a former assembly
man, is to oppose Congressman
James A. Hamill, Wilson Demo
crat, for the congressional nomina-
tion in the twelfth district; and by
the further fact that there is to be
a full anti-Wittpenn ticket in the
county. 1t Is admitted that Naval
Officer Wittpenn has desperate
fight on his hands to maintain ais
place as Progressive Democratic
leader.
Nugent will now have a permanent
state house ally in Assistant Auditor
Phillips. Phillips has long been a
Nugent man, standing with the Es-
sex boss when he was in the Assem-
bly, as a member, and owing his cleo
tion as clerk Of the Assembly for the
last two sessions to the votes of the
Nugent asseIlblymen. Former State
Committeeman Charles H. Gallagher,
OF Mercer, bitter anti-Wilson man,
~ whetting his knife to do all the
execution he can 20 aid Nugent.
Assured of a fat office as long
as the State House Commission or
dams. Custodian Smith will redouble
his efforts in behalf of the. Nugent
faction in South Jersey.
With the party split widening ev-
cry day, interesting developments are
looked for at the meeting Of the state
committee at Pleasure Bay next
State Chairman Gross
cup, as the titular leader OF the Pro-
gressiyes in his party, Is standing de-
family by his guns. 1t is now an
open fight between him and Governor
Wilson and State Comptroller Ed
wards.
Practically all the other big Dem
ocratic state officials have been ar
dent Wilson progressives, and they
are expected to line up with Chair
man Grosscup. The list includes
Secretary of State David F. Crater,
Of Monmouth; Assistant Secretary OF
State Job H. Lippincott, of Hudson;
C. Gebhardt, of Hunterdon;
Clerk In Chancery Robert McAdams,
Of Union; Banking and Insurance
Commissioner George M. LaMonte, !
Of Somerset, and others. 1t is ex-
pected Grosscup will have a ma
tority OF the state committee with
him. James r. Nugent is the Essex |
member of the state committee and |
will attend the meeting next We'd
nesday.