The Penn's Grove record., 1917-01-26
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are
Doing. What The Political
Leaders Are Talking
About

Trenton, Jan. 24.-Victory came yester-
day to Governor Edge in his first clash
over appointments, when the Senate, af-
ter a sharp partisan fight, confirmed the
appointment Of j. Henry Harrison. Re
publican, as Prosecutor Of Essex eoun-
". Senator Osborne, the Progressive
Republican, of Essex, was the only one
to vote against confirmation, and ne
stood out to the end for the naming of
Second Assistant Prosecutor Van Blar-
com. The clash began on Monday even
ing when Governor Edge sent a lot of
appointments to the Senate, including
that Of Harrison. The Republicans of
Essex were not together on the APP
pointment of their Prosecutor, and as
Osborne some time ago declared for
Van BlarcOm, a hot contest was antici-
pated. On Monday night Senator Os-
borne in the executive session fought TO
prevent the reporting of Harrison's
name by the judiciary Committee, but
was unsuccessful. The executive ses-
sion yesterday in which the contest was
fought out lasted an hour and a half.
In naming Harrison, Governor Edge
said: Il have given this position much
t~N' hVuShbs hEoAAA u GOuISGt 10
secure the best available mar for the re-
sponsibility. / believe l am securing for
Essex county a very able and competant
public official
Senator Osborne, who is known as a
lighter when he takes any stand. stood
pat on his choice all through the con-
test. Alter the Governor had vanquish-
ed him, he said: Il have used by pre-
rogative as Senator to obtain the best
possible Prosecutor for Essex county.
Beyond that / have nothing to say"
The fact that such a clash occurred is
due somewhat to the lack of a leader
Of the party in Essex. County Chair
man Herbert Taylor was unable to get
the united endorsement of the party or
any candidate, and Governor Edge
pointed this out in his statement. Van
Blarcom was not the candidate of any
large number of Essex Republicans.
Senator Osborne being practically his
only hacker. 1t was rumored that the
twelve Essex Assemblymen were origin
ally for Van Blarcom, but Monday night
they all asked Osborne to support Har-
rison. Governor Edges victory will
strengthen him as a State leader.
The other principal appointments
made by the Governor, all of whom were
confirmed yesterday, were: Supreme
Court Justice. Francis j. Swayze, Re-
publican, of Newark, re-appointed; Cir
cult Court Judge, Frederic Adams, Re-
publican. of East Orange, re-appointed;
the term of each is seven years, and the
salaries $4,000 and $4,000 respectively.
Common Pleas Judge OF Gloucester
county, Francis B. Davis, of Woodbury.,
Republican. now secretary of the Sem
ate, term five years, salary $1,000. He
succeeds Austin Fl. Swackhamer, Demo-
crat.
Adjutant General. Charles W. Barb
er. of Woodbury., to succeed the late
Gen. Wilbur F. Sadler. deceased, salary
$500. Members of the State Board of
Taxes and Assessment, Frank B. Jess.
of Camden. and Frederic A. Gentieu, of
Penns Grove. both ~re-appointed, term
three years. and salary $1,000. Both
are Republicans with Progressive lean
ings.
Prosecutors of the pleas; Gloucester
county, Oscar B. Redrow, Of Wenonah;
Sussex County. Lewis Van Blarcom. of
Newton. brother of Andrew Van Blair
com. of Essex, whom Senator Osborne
wanted appointed there; Cape May
county, former Assemblyman Eugene G.
Cole. All are Republicans, succeeding
Democrats.
Former Senate President Ernest r.
Alderman, of Plainfield, was appointed
to the State Board of Education, sue
ceeding Joseph 5. ~Frelinghuysen. of
Somerset, resigned to become United
States Senator.
The legislative program of the Repu5-
leans was successfully launched this
week. Both Houses passed the resolu-
tons of Governor Edge for an inves-
tigation Of the State Prison and other
penal institutions. and for a probe of the
high cost of living. There was no oppo-
sition and the Democrats voted for them.
The prison probe will be conducted by a
special commission of FIVE members,
headed by William f. Dickson. of Mont
clair. Governor Edge will sit with the
commission. which will take up its work
in a short time and report at this ses-
sion. The Governor will also appoint a
commission of FIVE to look into the rea-
sons for the high cost of living.
The administration State highway
bills were introduced and referred to
committee. The highway tax bill was
put in the House by Leader Oliphant.
1t provides a State tax of 81 on the
$1,000 annually for five years only,
which viii produce in all $15.000,0O0 for
the construction OF the highway system.
Two companion bills were introduced in
the Senate. One provides for the laying
out of the highway system and the other
one re-organizes the state Road Depart
ment TO have full control and to appoint
the State Highway Engineer and other
officials.
Another Republican administration
measure appeared in the Assembly in