The Penn's Grove record., 1915-12-31
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are Doing.
What The Political Leader Are
Talking About.

1rentOn Dec. 29-Ihe Democratic and
Republican leaders in the Legislature
practically completed arrangements yes
terday while at the State House for the
opening of the 10th session in one week
from next Tuesday, January II. 1t
seems to be the general opinion hat this
session viii be one Of more than ordin-
1ry interest and liVeliness, owing to the
fact that it just precedes a Presidential
election. For this reason, it is expected
that the opening day viii bring big
crowds TO the Capitol. There are al
ready limitations that the politicians of
both parties are preparing to devote spec
isl attention to the session, because they
regard the legislative program this year
as really opening the great campaign that
viii end next November.
The Legislature will convene at noon.
After the Senate has been called to or
der the new Senators viii take the oath
Of Office, thus qualifying them as legisla-
tors for the next three years. They are
George F. Martens, Jr, Of Hunterdon.
reelected Samuel T. Munson, of Sus-
sex, reelected, and W. Edwin Florance,
If Middlesex. Democrats; and Harold b.
Wells, of Burlington Lewis L. Stevens,
Of Cape May; and Thomas McCran, of
Passaic. Republicans The Republicans,
with their majority Of FIVE votes, viii or
ganize the Senate. Senator Read, of
Camden, will be elected President, this
honor carrying with it the position of
Acting Governor whenever Governor
Fielder may be out Of the State during
1916. The Republican majority win then
re-elect Francis 3. Davis, of Gloucester.
Secretary, and viii fill the other minor
Offices. Senator Rathbun, of Morris, win
lead the majority through the session.
The honor of being temporary presi-
dent during the preliminary organization
in the Senate is always given to the min
ority. The Democrats have selected SEN
ator Ackley, of Cumberland, for this po-
sition be viii be elected president pro
tenn to serve until Senator Read has been
formally indicted into the Office. The
Democrats win have candidates for the
minor Offices, but, of course, the Republi-
cans will elect all their candidates by
the party vote of Ii to 8.
The Assembly win be called to order at
noon by Upton s. Jeferys, of Camden,
the Clerk of the House last session The
| certificates of election Of the so members
will then be presented from Secretary pf
State Martin, and they win all take the
oath Of Office. This viii be done by the
| 60 Assemblymen standing at their desks,
! raising their right hands and repeating
the oath in concert
after all the members have signed the
oath Of Office on parchment, the organiza-
/ lion will be taken up. The action of the
Republican caucus viii be followed and
| Charles G. Pilgrim, of Essex, viii be
chosen Speaker by the party vote Of 40
to 20. Upton s. Jefferys, of Camden,
win be reelected Clerk, and Captain Jas.
Parker. of Passaic Co, Asst Clerk. The
other minor officers win then be elect
ed. Assemblyman Brackner, of Hudson,
will be the Democratic candidate for
Speaker. Senator Ackerson, of Mon
mouth County, viii lead the Democrats in
the Senate, and the minority leader in
the Assembly win be Assemblyman Ger
an, of Monmouth.
The starting Of the session Of 1916 win
be marked by the usual elaborate display
Of flowers on the desks of the members
sent in by admiring constituents. Large
crowds Of spectators win throng the gal
leries of the legislative chambers as well
as the corridors of the Capitol.
After the organization Of the two
houses has been completed, Governor
Fielder's annual message will be sub
mitted in each House by Secretary L.. Ed
ward Hermann, and win be read. The
Governor has given no intimations as TO
what his message viii contain. but, of
course. it will follow generally the pledg-
IS contained in the Democratic State
platform. with such other recommended
lions as he may see fit to make.
. .
The opening session will also be mark
ed by the introduction Of numerous bills.
providing for carrying out the respective
State platform pledges. Both the Demo-
cratic and Republican Senators met at
the State House yesterday to discuss fur
ther the drafting of the party measures.
In each case it was stated after the meet
ing that good progress was being made
and that the measures would be ready for
introduction the first day of the session.
One of the most important political
events this week was the issuing of an
open letter to State Chairman Grosscup
by leading Democrats of Bergen County
formally placing State Senator Charles
OfConnor Hennessy. of that county, IN
the Democratic race for Governor. Such
action has been looked for. as it has been
known for some time that Senator Hens
messy had Governorship aspirations. The
announcement Of his candidacy a day in
) advance of the Democratic conference Of
J leaders called by Governor Fielder was
regarded as significant. Senator Her
messy is known as one of the most eu
!, getie of party leaders and lawn
| and his campaign for this nomin: A
| sure to be aggressive and pictr
r The signatures to the He
nouncement show that he ~
Democratic factions in ~
t in his support. In fac
that the Democrats
i tive of past local
behind the Sens'
Heading II