The Penn's Grove record., 1916-08-04
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are Doln0
What The Political Leader Are
Talking About.

VI the State Democratic campaign was
started this week with the opening Of
auxiliary headquarters in Newark and
the taking by State Chairman GrOsscuD
Of the initial steps for the formation Of
Jhe First Presidential Voters League, d
New Jersey Democratic Lawyers Com
mlttee and an Independent Wilson Yot-
ers League. Work was also begun on
the formation Of a strong speakers bu-
reau. State Chairman GrOsscup said To-
day that all the preliminary work was
now well under way and before the end
Of this week the Democratic drive would
be felt all over the state.
The Newark headquarters are at 772
Broad Street and are in charge Of James
K. Nugent, the Essex County leader.
Mr.. Nugent. whose ability as a political
organizer has been ably demonstrated ov
ms Essex County campaigns, has been
placed in charge Of all the political or
ganization work in the state. The fact
that Nugent has consented to be Chair
man Grosscup's chief helper is cited by
Democratic leaders as the best evidence
that all factions Of the party are united
for this important campaign.
The State Headquarters in Trenton.
which are on West State Street. will be
maintained also and will be IN the per-
sonal charge of Mr.. Grosscup. Both
headquarters will cooperate in their
their work, making the campaign a unit
ed force. Edward Dillon. the well
known Princeton football star. will be
president Of the First Voters League.
The speakers bureau Will be in charge
Of former Assemblyman VI. J. Quigley,
a Newark lawyer and himself a good
speaker. The Lawyers Committee viii
be composed Of several lawyers Of the
state who will work particularly among
men Of their profession. The Auxiliary
Committee of the State Committee to be
composed of two Democrats from each
county will also render aggressive assist
ance to the State Committee.
1t Is not known yet what speakers will
come to New Jersey. Chairman Gross
cup states, however, that the National
Democratic Committee fully realizes the
great importance Of the campaign in the
home state of President Wilson. and has
promised to send some of the biggest
speakers in the National party ranks.
The withdrawal Of former Governor
Edward c. Stokes from the race for
United States Senator-or as some pre-
fer to state this refusal to become a
candidate, is variously viewed BY differ
ent politicians. One thing stands out.
and that is that his action will help for
mer Senator Joseph 5. Frelinghuysen. of
Somerset County. who now will fight out
the contest with Ex-Governor Franklin
Murphy. Former Senator F~relinghuy-
g,n I.II,a.- 49, L. -
Withdrawing.
Il am in the race. and I am going to
stay in.'declares Mr.. F~relinghuysen. Il
fully understand the spirit and intent of
the open primary law and 1 propose to
stand by it."
The withdrawal Of Mr.. Stokes is the
result of the plea made to him by some
of his friends and party leaders in Es-
sex County and elsewhere, but princi-
pally Essex. The move to get Stokes
out of the race has back of it a plan to
make ex-governor Murphy the leading
candidate for United States Senator.
David Baird. of Camden. is supporting
Murphy, and the Murphy followers fgdre
that with the Essex County Organization
working for Murphy in North Jersey and
Baird fighting for him in South Jersey.
his nomination is assured.
Others do not see such an easy victory
for Murphy. 1t is admitted that Murphy
is such a s%tandpatter that he cannot hope
to corral the votes of the Progressive
element of the party. Murphy is re-
garded as a machine Republican with
corporation leanings, and this will surely
handicap him among those who oppose
everything r~eactiouary. For this reason
it is practically certain that all the
Stokes following cannot be delivered TO
Murphy. Already numerous Republicans
who have been for Stokes are declaring
they viii support Fr~elinghuysen.
Stokes will now aim to be the Sena-
rorial candidate against William Hughes
in 1915. and it is understood that he has
the promise Of the big leaders that he
cause of his withdrawal in favor of Muir
ply now, they viii all be for him then.
Some Republicans think Stokes is a big
ger man than ever because of his wiling
ness to he sacrificed this year in the in
terest of party harmony. On the other
hand. many of his followers are greatly
disappointed and do not hesitate to say
So. They claim that Stokes was the log
ical candidate this year. having defeated
Murphy in 1910 at the polls, and that
Murphy should have been the one TO
step aside.
There were three Republican candi-
dates for United States Senator in 1910
Murphy. Stokes and former Congress
man Charles \. Fowler. Of Union Co.
Murphy ran third. The votes We're as
follows: Stokes, 39,554; Fowler, s.
SIS; Murphy, 1920,
Senator Charles O'Conner Hennessy,
Democrat, of Bergen County, yesterday
came out in favor Of Attorney General
Wescott for United States Senator. He
predicted that he would carry Bergen
County and win the nomination. Sena-
tor Hennessy has signed the nominating
petition Of Weseott. He says in part:
Assuming that there viii be but two
candidates for the nomination forUnited
States Senator. l predict tht Judge Wes-
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