The Penn's Grove record., 1916-03-10
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are DOlnq.
What The Political Leader Are
Talking about.

and with the adjournment Of the Legis-
lature III about three weeks the political
leaders viii throw their forces into bat
tie with all the vim at their command.
In addition to a wide open throttle and
increased speed in the legislature this
week, there were several notable politi-
cal events that featured the doings at tn
State Capital and the campaign. Among
these were the meeting Of the Democratic
State Committee. the dollar dinner of the
Mercer County Republicans with state
and national party leaders present and
the dinner to Naval Officer II. Otto Witt
penn in Newark by Democrats from all
sections If the State. The Republican
feast had as one Of its star features an
ovation to State Senator Walter f. Edge.
If Atlantic City. that materially helped
us boom for the nomination for Gov
ernor.. The Democratic dinner was
planned by the Democrats in the Legis-
iature who are for Wittpenn and so. of
curse, there was nothing to it but a big
'hurrah for Wittpenn.'
State political leaders now regard it
as almost certain that Edge and Witt
penn will be the rival candidates for
Governor. In the Democratic camp ev-
erybody seems To be getting on the Witt
penn band wagon, while there are various
signs that Senator Edge viii command
most Of the Republican support outside
# Essex county. Edge and Wittpenn
nave had by far the most mention this
week as the respective standard bearers.
As far as the Democrats are concern
ed, it now seems as though Wittpenn will
have no opposition. or at least if he does
il Will not be worth considering. With
all the big state leaders coming out for
him. 1t Is d foregone conclusion that any
other candidate who enters the guberna-
torial primary will be unable to defeat
the former Mayor of Jersey City. Sen
ator Hennessy, of Bergen County, is a
democratic candidate for Governor, but
the impression prevails quite generally
that he will not make much show against
Wittpenn. As he stands for local OPP
ton not only on the liquor question, but
all municipal matters, including the OPP
Grafton of public utilities by the muni-
c~ipality; and likewise for single tax and
other similar propositions. he is not con
sidered likely to win votes outside T
those who hold to those ideas.
Some time ago Secretary of State Mar
tin announced himself a candidate for
the nomination for Governor. During the
past week or two there nave been ru-
mors that he might withdraw. When
asked about the matter today, he said he
might nave an important announcement
in connection with his campaign in a short
time. He refused to state whether or
not it would be notice of his withdrawal.
The dinner to ATittpenn in Newark last
evening was really the firing of the first
big gun in his campaign to capture the
-Governorship. Mr.. Wittpenn in his
speech outlined his campaign issues, and
as might be expected, attacked the Re
publican Legislature. James kerney,
the Trenton newspaper man, was toast
master. Dudley Field Malone, Collector
of the Port Of New York, spoke on nat
ional issues. James r. Nugent, the Es-
sex leader; Prosecutor Martin z. Devlin.
of Mercer; Senator Aekerson and Assem-
blyman Geran, of Monmouth, the respec-
tive legislative leaders for the Democrats.
and others also spoke.
Former United States Senator Theo-
dore Burton, of Ohio, enc of the leading
candidates for the Republican nomination
for President. was the principal speak
err at the dinner Of the Mercer County
Republicans. and discussed the national
issues from the Republican standpoint.
Senator Edge spoke more on state issues.
'Some of US" said Senator Edge, have
been on the firing line in New Jersey for
the past few years. ~endeavoring TO bring
some order out of a disastrous financial
situation. We have endeavored to in
troduce business principles into state
government and cut out needless extra
yagance. centraliZe responsibility and
consolidate departments in the interests
of economy and efficiency. We have
been insisting on service along this Line,
and the people of New Jersey have APP
parently approved. because in the past
two years they have given us increased
maiorities in the Legislature.
I'VE realize that New Jersey viii be
one Of the main points of attack in this
| campaign and we can assure you that We
are well organized and eager for the
fray"
: The reception to Senator Edge includ-
| ed the singing of several songs composed
for the occasion, one of which went as
follows;
where the ocean surf is pounding.
On the old Atlantic Coast,
: Lives a man whose name they're sounding
As New Jerseys proudest boast.
From the nils OF far-on sussex
Dow to Cape May by the sea-
They van Walter Edge for Governor
= OF Jer-seei,"
Governor Fielder, United States Sena-
tors MARITIME and Hughes and State
Treasurer Edward f.. Grosscup we're sug-
: gested as the big Four ~delegates-at-
large to the Democratic National Con-
~vention IN st. Louis. by the Democratic
State Committee at its meeting here this
$ week. The four alternates named were
c State Charities and Corrections Com
u missioner Richard Stockton, of Trenton;
e former Senator Johnston Cornish. of
Warren; former State Railroad Direc-
{ tor Robert d. Foote. of Morris, and
5 Judge Clarence I. Cele, Of Atlantic City;
sr~~