The Penn's Grove record., 1915-12-10
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are Doing.
What The Political Leader Are
Talking About.

Legislature, the legislative program and
the policies TO be followed by the two
parties are gradually shaping themselves.
Governor Fielder has commenced work
on his aBnua message, which will be
submitted in the Senate and House Of
Assembly Immediately after the organi-
cation of the two ranches on January
IL. The Governor is giving no indica-
don of what his message viii contain,
but it is fair to assume that as to legis-
lative questions it will follow the Demo-
cratic State platform. Nothing can be
predicted as yet as to what recommends
tons the Governor will make.
Both the Democrats and Republicans
held conferences at the State House yes
terday to consider the drafting of the
respective party measures to be intro
duced into the Legislature. Those pres
ent at the Republican conference were
Rathbun. of Morris Read, of Camden
Smalley, Of Somerset Colgate, of Essex
Hutchinson. of Mercer, and Allen, of
Salem. The other Senators who were
unable to attend sent word that the bills
assigned to them to be drawn are max
ing good progress. Senator Rathbun stat
ed that all the bills covering the pledges
IF the majority will be ready for intro
duetion the opening day of the Legisla-
ture.
The Democratic conference was held by
A joint committee appointed for this pur-
pose. composed of Senator Ackerson, of
Monmouth. the minority leader in the
Upper Branch; Senators Ackley, of
Cumberland. and Hennessy. of Bergen,
md Assemblyman Geran, of Monmouth.
the minority leader in the House. At
the conclusion of this meeting. Senator
Ackerson said that they had considered
in a general way the measures to be pre-
pared embodying the pledges in the Dem
o~cratic platform.
1t is expected that both parties will
have their big bills introduced the open
ing week of the legislative session. and
upon these measures will be waged the
contest for supremacy in the big cam
paign which is already opening.
One of the features of the failure of
former United States Senator James
Smith. Jr.. is that the Democratic lead
ers will be compelled to seek elsewhere
sor someone to finance their future state
campaign. Ex-senator Smith has been
one of the best friends of the Democrat
&c party in this state financially for many
wears, and when he did not literally fur
nish the campaign cash himself. he.
through his powerful influence. found
where it could be obtained. Notwith-
standing the abuse frequently heaped
leaped upon Mr.. Smith under the allega-
uon that he was a political boss, he has
continued TO provide literally for Demo-
cratic campaigns.
Developments of the last few days have
indicated that the Democrats are sound
ing party sentiment as to Prosecutor
Robert S. Hudspeth, of Hudson county,
as their candidate for United States
Senator. Mr.. Hudspeth returned from
the Panama-Pacifc Exposition a few
days ago, and has not yet announced his
candidacy. Mr.. Hudspeth is the New
Jersey member of the Democratic Nation
al Committee; is a former Senator from
Hudson county, and has long been act
i've in the party ranks. He is a lawyer
of long practice and it is claimed is par
ticularly fitted for the Office of United
States Senator. nM,w
There was renewed talk of State SEN
ator Read. of Camden, as the Republican
candidate for Governor. The impression
seems to be gaining that the ticket the
big Republican leaders will get behind
next year will be-: Former Governor
Franklin Murphy, of Essex, for United
States Senator, and Senator Read for
Governor. OF course, this ticket, if it
be placed in the field will bear the label
of the Republican faction dominated by
Ex-Governor Murphy and David Baird,
the Camden leader. The fact that this
combination has already dictated the or
ganization of the House of Assembly,
gives ground for more or less belief that
at the proper time the ticket referred to
will be placed in the running.
1t was very generally stated at the
Capitol yesterday that former Governor
Edward C. Stokes will put up a hot fight
for the nomination for United States
Senator, and that with his large follow
ing he will be a formidable opponent.
The belief is very general that both the
Republican and Democratic contests for
United States Senator nomination next
year will be very holly fought, and as
they will be the first contests in which
the voters win make the final choice. they
will have unusual force and significance.
Robert s. Hudspeth and State Treasur-
er Edward e. Grosscup are in Washing
ton attending the meeting of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, as this letter
is written. While in Washington, they
conferred with President Wilson, and
upon their return TO New Jersey furth-
er developments are looked for in the
Democratic race for the nomination for
Governor. The State Treasurer has been
talked of as a possible Gubernatorial can
didate. and it is known that he has been
giving consideration to the matter. Fol-
lowing his visit to Washington. some de-
finite statement is looked for from him.
Just now. Naval Officer H. Otto Witt
penn seems to be getting the biggest boom
for Governor among the North Jersey
Democrats. but it will require future UNI
folding of party matters before it can be
said who is the most likely Democratic
candidate.
Assistant Attorney General Boggs has
lust given an opinion to State Comptrol-
Ter Edwards to the effect that the As
sembly Civil Service Investigating Com
mittee has no legal power to act since the
Legislature adjourned sine die last
spring. and that the financial officers of
the state have no power to pay any bills
incurred by the Committee. The decision
sustained the contention Of the State
Comptroller that the Investigating Com
mittee died with the end of the legisla-
tive session.
The Committee has organized with As
semblyman Ogden Fl. Hammond, of Som
erset. as chairman. has elected Howard
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