The Penn's Grove record., 1916-06-16
STATE CAPITAL NEWS.
Continued from page u

Continued from page u
Moose ticket. This may be changed by
later developments, but does not seem
probable. This situation is highly graft
flying, of course, to the Republican lead
ers.
George L. Record, of Jersey City, is
the only Progressive who has discussed
this matter, and he declares that the
Progressives will support Hughes. He
says: 81 think that Justice Hughes is
by all odds the strongest candidate the
Republicans could have nominated"
Governor Fielder, just before leaving
the state for the st. Louis convention,
stated that Woodrow Wilson could not
be defeated for reelection. He claimed
the so-called fusion of the Republicans
and Progressiyes was only on the sur
face. Not only did he predict a victory
for Wilson over Hughes, but also de-
clared that New Jersey will go for Will
son by a big majority and carry the en-
tire state ticket with him. This would
mean the election of a Democratic Gov
ernor, United States Senator, a majority
of the twelve Congressman and control
VI Lie Legislature VI IO1ty 4ASuI1uS IL
election of a Democratic State Comp
troller to succeed Edward 1. Edwards.
The Civil Service Investigating Com
mission at a meeting in Newark tomor-
row will review the recent election of
George Burke, Republican, as president
of the State Civil Service Commission.
1t will be remembered that for about a
year the Civil Service Commission had
been dead-locked two to two on several
important questions. On MAY 8 when
the Commission ~reorganized 81 ballots
were taken for president, the vote being
two to two each time. On the 3Sth ball
lot Commissioner Joseph F. Hoff, of
Princeton, Democrat, switched to Burke,
e~lecting him. The Board had a rule
that the senior member should be chosen
president each year, and this would have
made Commissioner Edward H. Wright,
Democrat, of Newark, president. Theo-
dore H. Smith, Republican, of Jersey.
City, the new member of the Commits
sion refused to be bound by this rule,
and Hoff finally went for Burke to break
the deadlock.
New Jersey is temporarily in the
hands of a Republican Governor this
week. Senate President George w. f.
Gaunt, of Gloucester county, having
been sworn in as Acting Governor on
Monday to act in place of Governor
Fielder. Governor Fielder left this
state last Sunday to act as one of the
delegates-at-large, or "Big Four" at the
Democratic National Convention at st.
Louis. The Constitution provides that
in case of the death, resignation. absence
from the state or other disability of the
Governor, the president of the Senate
shall be Acting Governor. The oath was
administered to Governor" Gaunt last
Monday morning by Chancellor Edwin
Robert Walker, the ceremony being wit
messed by Senator Gaunt's wife and a
company Of state officials. After the
Acting Governor had been congratulated
by those present, he Immediately proceed
ed to the executive business. It is ex-
pected that the Democratic convention
will end by Friday evening after which
Governor Fielder will return to New
Jersey and resume his Gubernatorial
duties.
Following the decision of the Supreme
Court in his favor, Gen. Dennis F. Col
Inns, Democrat, has assumed the Office
of Comptroller of the city of Elizabeth.
Gen. Collins is treasurer of the Demo-
cratic State Committee and one of the
state leaders of his party. He was
elected city comptroller last January by
the Elizabeth Common Council after 80
I.U-kz III Aao. AIx4r --sA1 l.al
lock, the result being accomplished when
three Republicans bolted their party can
didate and voted for Collins. This action
caused a big sensation in the Repub-
lican ranks in Union county, but the
boilers defended their action, claiming
they did it to rebuke the Republican
leadership of Mayor Victor Mravlag.
After the election Comptroller John S.
Sauer refused to vacate the Office, and
Gen. Collins brought this suit in the Su-
preme Court to GUST Sauer, winning a
victory.
The State Board of Education has re-
organized for the ensuing school year by
rejoicing former Senator Joseph S. FREE
of Somerset County, as pres
ident, and Melvin A. Rice, of Monmouth
County, as vice president.
The use of motor vehicles in New Jer-
sey is increasing by leaps and bounds.
State Motor Vehicle Commissioner VIM.
l.. Dill has Just paid the State Comp
troller $107 .052, the receipts of his de-
partment for May. Commissioner Dill
reports that the total receipts of his de-
partment for the first five months of this
year were $1,009,43S, compared with
$777, $50 in the same period last year.
The total receipts for all of 1915 reach
ed $1,062,922, and Mr.. Dill says he ex-
poets the receipts for the first six months
year to exceed those of the full
twelve months of last year.