The Penn's Grove record., 1915-10-08
FRIDAY, OCTOBER s, 1915
STATE CAPITAL NEWS.
lContinued from page I

a ANCPAUAANAA
greatly weakened through Democratic
manipulation"
'The necessity for a revised financial
policy is most apparent" the platform
continue, "from the fact that the Dem
ocratic Comptroller admitted in a report
to the Legislature of 1915 that the state
faced a deficit which might exceed by the
close Of the fiscal year $~2,000,OOO. The
Republican majority recognized this ser
ious financial situation, brought about by
excessive appropriations of the two, pre-
ceding Democratic Legislatures, cut down
the appropriations $1,200,000, and yet
provided ample funds for the maintenance
of all state institutions and departments"
The Progressives held an unofficial Con
yention in Library Hall, with State Chair
man j. A. III. Hopkins, of Morristown,
presiding. 1t was featured by the abb
scence of many of the former State Bull
Moose leaders like Ex-Governor Fort,
Ex-Assemblyman James g. Blauvelt n
George l.. Record. Ex-senator Everett
Colby was about the only prominent Pro
gressive leader present. The Convention
adopted a platform and made prepar-
atoms for a regular campaign.
There are Progressive tickets in the
field in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Somer-
set, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Union
and Warren Counties.
A declaration in favor of local option
was omitted from the Republican and
Democratic platforms. Assembly cand-
didate Swackhamer, of Somerset, attempt
ed to get a local option plank In the
Democratic platform, making his fight in
the platform committee, of which he was
a member, but he and Senator Ackley, of
Cumberland, were the only ones to vote
for it. Assembly candidate Baily intro
duced a local option resolution in the
Republican convention and it was re-
ferred to the platform committee. This
committee did not report it, it having
agreed that local option should not be
put into the platform, leaving the candi-
dates free to run on local option ,or not,
as dictated by the sentiment in their re-
spective counties.
4
Governor FEEDERS endorsement of
State Treasurer Edward Il. Grosscup for
a second term in that Office has led to
considerable speculation as to the prob
able outcome of the Democratic contest
for State Treasurer next February. The
situation is complicated by the unex-
pected victory of Naval Officer Wittpen
in Hudson County. 1t will be remember
ed that it was the support of Mr.. Witt
penn three years ago that aided Mr..
Grosscup in winning the Treasurership.
There have been rumors of late that Mr..
= GrOsscup was not so friendly to Mr..
Wittpenn, but was more inclined to lean
to the Anti Wittpenn faction in Hudson.
The Wittpenn victory in Hudson has up
set the calculations of several Demo
cratic leaders, and there is much guessing
as to whether Wittpenn and his eleven
Assemblymen will be for Grosscup for an
other term as Treasurer. Assuming that
the Democrats carry the Legislature,
there is a probability that Wittpenn and
his Assembly delegation may hold the
balance of power in the joint meeting
for the election of the State Treasurer,
which, if it comes to pass, will produce
a very interesting political situation.
Neither State Treasurer Grosscup nor
Mr.. Wittpenn are discussing the Treas
urership, nor have there been any rumors
of other Democratic candidates for the
position. There have been no outward
evidences of a break between the two,
and it may be that, in the interest of a
harmonious party in next years campaign
they will get together. However, there
is another thing to be considered, which
is that both Mr.. Grosscup and Mr.. Witt
penn will seek the -Governorship next
year, and in this event, of course, each
viii seek to gain every political advantage
to further his candidacy. Should Mr..
Wittpenn decide to place a candidate for
Treasurer in the field, it will bring on an
interesting contest between North and
South Jersey. Mr.. Grosscup is admitted
ly strong in South Jersey, and such a
fight would be a warm one.
1t is too early in the Treasurership
campaign for any very definite news as
to candidates. The only Republican can
didates being mentioned are State Chair
man Newton A. K. Bugbee, of Trenton,
who will have the backing of the Stokes
followers; and former Treasurer Daniel
S. Voorhees,, of Morris, who will get the
regular 'Old Guard" Republican support.
Republican State Chairman Bugbee
claims that the vote at the primaries last
week indicates a Republican victory on
November 2. He says: Il think the
primary vote throughout the State veri-
hes my statement of a week ago. 1t in
dIcated Republican success in November.
There was a commendable enthusiasm
manifested generally in the State in spite
of the fact that in many districts there
were no contests. We are fully prepared
to prosecute a most vigorous campaign"
Senate President Walter E. Edge has
just been endorsed as the Republican
candidate for Governor in 1916 by the
Atlantic County Republican Executive
Committee. There was only one dissent
ing vote in the 80 members present.
Some time ago the Committee endorsed
Senator Edge for either Senator or Gov
ernor, which ever he might seek, but it
was claimed the members were not all
present. That endorsement, however,
was by many more than a quorum. The
present favorable vote clinches the matter