Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-11-23
PILGRIM CHOSEN
HOUSE SPEAKER,
KATES LEADER
Essex AssenbIyman Defeats
Runyon, of Union, by Vote
Of 20 to IA.
cERAN, OF MONMOUTH.
NEW MINORITY LEADER
Ackerson, Of the Same County.
Gets Similar Honor in
the Senate.
from ; stan Correspondent.

.1t--HA
TRENTON, Nov, 2S = After a
spirited contest for the nomination of
speaker, which was carried to the
floor of the Republican caucus, As
semblyman Charles c. Pilgrim, of
Essex. was selected for the honor by
a vote of 26 to A. Asse1nblyman
William N. Runyon, of Union. carried
his battle for the speakership UP until
the final rollcall.
Assemblyman John W. Kates. Of
Camden. was unanimously chosen aa
Republican floor leader, and Upton s.
Jefferys, OF Camden. was the caucus
choice for clerk of the House.
With the announcement of the vote
for speaker, Assemblyman Runyon
moved that the selection of Mr.. Pill
grim be made unanimous, and this
was done. The scenes in the confer
ence were stirring. Mr.. Runyon. after
his defeat for the speakership,
pledged his hearty support to MI Pill
grim. In a voice choked with emotion
Assemblyman Pilgrim said:
II will do my duty and hope to be
able to express my appreciation on
some other occasion
AssembIyman David g. Conrad. of
Ocean, as dean of the Republicans,
called the meeting to order. Assem-
b1yman A. Dayton Oliphant, of Mer-
Ger. was made secretary. The selec-
tion OF a permanent chairman, which
carried with it the House leadership,
was the first business. Mr.. Kates
was nominated by his colleague, AS
semblyman Charles WPlverton. of
Camden The nomination was Sec
onded by Assemblymen Dalrymple
of Passaic; Schoen. of Essex, and
Conrad, of Ocean. The selection was
made unanimous.
In accepting the leadership, M.
Hates pledged himself to business
like administration of the legislative
matters that will come before him.
He expressed the hope to have every
important question ready for dispo-
sition by the middle Of March.
The Republican legislators came to
the State House early. They were
found in groups of two and three
scattered about the State House cor
Iridor discussing the speakership and
leadership. One of the most I'M
portant conferences was in the office
Of state House Custodian John A.
Smith. Here County Counsel Alfred
N. Dairvmple. Of Essex, and David
Baird, of Camden, were In earnest
conversation. Any doubt as to the
existence Of the Essex.C Camden CONF
bine seemed to be removed after this
conference.
The selection of Mr.. Geran BY the
Wittpsnn men has an important
bearing on Mr.. Wittpenn's chances for
the gHbernatorial nomination next
fall. 1t IS certain to make friends for
the naval officer in Monmouth County,
and win surely not lose him any in
Hudson. The Hudson delegation in
the Assembly is sure to be a big fac
tor In the deliberations of that body,
and the fact that the leadership of the
minority is lodged In anofher county.
viii In nowise decrease the impor-
tance of the delegation.
Some of the politicians here today
frankly expressed the opinion that Mr.
Wittpenn had made a particularly
wise political move, If the reports that
came from Hudson were true. They
saw in 1t another move on the part of
the naval officer to erystallize Demo-
cratic sentiment in his favor
Incidentally that visit of Mr.. Geran's
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