The Penn's Grove record., 1916-06-02
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are DOIn0
What The Political Leader Are
Talking About.

was observed at the State House today
instead Of yesterday, as the Capitol was
closed to business yesterday and all the
state officials observed Memorial Day.
Interest was keen today among the poll
ticians and others who visited the State
House in the approaching National Con-
yentions, particularly as to the outcome
Of the Republican gathering at Chicago.
The Republican Convention viii open
next Wednesday with the preliminary
work to start on Monday, and although
the meeting is only one week away, there
is the utmost uncertainty as to the can
didate for President. The New Jersey
Republicans share this doubt with the
rest of the country. Neither State
Chairman Bugbee nor National Commit
teeman Franklin Murphy, nor any other
big state party leader will attempt to
predict who will be chosen to lead the
Republican fight. Comment was made
at the Capitol today that not in a gem
GRAFTON has the present situation been
parallelled. For the past twenty years,
or more, the Republicans have chosen
their Presidential candidate on the first
ballot, but it is extremely doubtful that
such will be the case next week.
According to the present status, the
New Jersey Republican delegation viii
stand 26 for Justice Hughes and two for
Col. Roosevelt, with United States Sen
ator Elihu Root practically eliminated
from consideration and the other .'fav-
orite sons such as Burton, Cummins,
etc, receiving no mention at all. With
such uncertainty existing, it is extremely
difficult to predict the result at Chicago.
- Co.. ~ NJ - -+a-T--.+
Hughes is now clearly the fav0rite, with
the boom for Roosevelt growing.
1t is believed to be the purpose OF the
Roosevelt men to endeavor to stampede
the convention to the Colonel, but the
strength of Hughes at this writing seems
to indicate that such a stampede viii be
difficult. 1t is heard on every side that
the silence Of Justice Hughes is militat-
ing against his strength, but in this con-
neetion it should be remembered that his
official position on the bench of the Uni
ted States Supreme Court precludes his
openly seeking the nomination or pub
licly declaring himself. His position is
vastly different from that of Roosevelt
or the other men being mentioned as can
didates.
There has been recalled this week the
letter written by Justice Hughes on May
20, 1915, to former Governor Stokes in
which the Justice, in reply to an in
quiry from Mr.. Stokes, stated his posi-
ton at that time in connection with the
Republican nomination.
Justice Hughes then wrote:
at seems to me very clear that as
a member of the Supreme Court. l
have no right to be a candidate, either
openly or passively. 1 cannot remain
working here and hold an equivocal
position before the country. I must,
therefore, ask that no steps be taken
to bring my name before the conven-
ton"
The conditions have changed since he
wrote that letter in that there is now a
wide demand that he be the candidate,
while two or three states have declared
for him in their primaries, and it is
said that a majority of the delegates
from his own state of New York are for
him. Despite his letter to Stokes, there
fore, it is believed that if he be nomin-
ated he viii accept. The Roosevelt
boomers are already in Chicago planning
their move to make him the standard
bearer. As already published in this let
ter, the special train carrying the dele
gates to the Republican Convention viii
start from Jersey City on the Pennsylva-
ME Railroad next Sunday afternoon at
2 o'clock.
State Chairman Newton A. X. Bug
bee has given way to the desire of David
Baird, the South Jersey party captain,
and the latter will be chosen chairman
7 80 flo Dopr,I1,oan Ia1aOu-io,, uS-hora<
opposition. Nj. Bugbee has Withdrawn
from the contest in the interest Of bar
mony, coupled with other consideration
which, in his judgement, remove the
grounds upon which he sought the chair
manship. One of the consideration
which led Chairman Bughee to step on
of the race for the head Of the dele
/, CATION was that Baird has declared fol
r Hughes for President. His desire to see
Hughes nominated was one of the rea.
, sons that caused Bugbee to seek the de.
; legation c~hairmanship. This Withdrawal
will strengthen the chances of Mr.. Bug,
bee for reelection as State Chairman
next fall. The delegation viii elect il
chairman next Monday night Immediately
after arriving at Chicago.
= = =
The Progressive host is ALREADY
gathering in Chicago for its convention
! and the Bull Moose situation may be size,
up in a few words. If the G. o. p. shall
nominate a man satisfactory to the Pro
gressives land who but Roosevelt woulC
satisfy them?), all right, but if not then
there will be a third party again with
ticket in the field. The Progressive
Convention also opens next Wednesday
and it is understood that no decisive ac
ton will be taken until it is seen jus
what the Republicans viii do. In tn
Republican Convention Wednesday vii
be devoted to the preliminary organize
ton, with permanent organization to fol
low on Thursday. 1t is understood tina
: the nominating speeches viii not begi
: until Friday. so the nomination win no
I be reached until Friday or Saturday.
: