Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-11-08
SENATE FIGHT
FOR PRESIDENT
Interesting Questions Of Pat
ronage Will Face Both
Branches of Legislature

By Special Correspondent.
TRENTON, Nov. 6:-A fight is
facing the Republican majority OF
the New Jersey senate for the presi-
dency of that body which will have
a far reaching effect The next pres
ident will become acting governor OF
New Jersey Just as soon al Governor
Edge is called to his seat in the
United States senate. This is expect
ed to be on March 4 next, inasmuch
as there will probably be an extra
session. The state constitution pro-
vides that when there Is a vacancy
In the executive chair the president
of the senate becomes the acting
governor.
This happened in 1913 when
Woodrow Wilson went to Washing
ton. James F. Fielder became acting
governor by virtue of being presiding
officer of the state senate. Just prior
to his election he resigned the acting
g~overnorship because he was a can
didate for the full term. This made
Speaker of the House Leon Taylor
the acting governor.
The fight for the presidency Of the
1918 senate, therefore, means much
to the Republican who obtains 1t.
The leading candidates seem to be
Senator William B. Mackay, of Ber-
gen county, and Senator Harold B..
WellSp OIL BURLINGTON COUNTY, VINO
was reelected on Tuesday without
Democratic opposition. There WIFI
be fourteen votes in the Republican
caucus.
Emerson L. Richards, of Atlantic
county, who had apparently "sewed
up" the senate presidency until he
received a commission in the army,
according to latest calculations, un-
less the termination Of the wal
should change his plans. II he was
to continue in the a. there would
be fifteen Republicans and he would
probably win the place of honor.
LAST year Wells was a candidate
for Republican leader of the senate
and many thought he vas entitled to
1t. Richards, however, won with the
support of the governor. In leaving
for the army Richards apparently
left or hoped to leave the senate
presidency to Mackay, of Bergen.
However, every man who pledged
himself to the Atlantic county sena-
tor may consider himself free to act
now as he chooses.
There is a possibility that Senator
Charles c. Pilgrim. of Essex. may be
a candidate for the position of presid-
ing officer also. 1t Is understood
that Pilgrim has gubernatorial ambi-
lions next year and the a who be-
coHleS acunS governor would gain
much prestige in the contest.
1t is probable that the tie in the
house of assembly will result in a
compromise when 1t m time to
organize. The two most important
offices are speaker and clerk. The
party that takes the one will no doubt
b concede the other to the opposition.
If the Republicans decide to accept
the speakership 1t is probable tina
Assemblyman Arthur N. Pierson, of
Union, who was slated to be speaker IL
they controlled the house, will be Sc
lected. Pierson has been in the as
sembly since the session of 1915, and
next winter will begin his fifth term.
1t is probable that If the Democrats
accept the speakership a Hudson
county man from last years delega-
p ton will be given the honor, proba-
bly, Assemblyman Edward p. Stout, of
Jersey City, who is one of the ablest
members In the Hudson delegation.
The name of Edward Handley, of
Newark, has been heard in connec-
ton with the clerkship of the House
should the Democrats elect to accept
that position. Upton 8. Jeffery's, of
Camden, a Republican, who has been
clerk of the House for a number of
sessions, may probably be a candidate
for the clerkship again In the event
that he does not decide to stay in
Washington as secretary to United
States Senator Baird until the latter's
short term expires on March 4 next, to
which he was elected last Tuesday.
The Republican leadership may
produce a contest between John r.
Gil of Mercer county, and Ralph N.
Kellam. Of Camden, two of the most
experienced members of the House.
Kellam has been in the legislature for
two years and Gill served as a member
In 1912 and in the last session.
1t is impossible at this writing to
speculate on the Democratic leader
ship. During the last four sessions
the Democrats have been ably led in
the House of Assembly, although in
the minority. In 1915 their leader was
Thomas F. Martin; in 1915 n 1917,
Elmer 1T. Geran. and in the last ses-
sion Alexander Simpson. 1t is not nm
likely that one of the Essex delega-
ton or perhaps Assemblyman Stout,
of Hudson. If he is not chosen speak
by reason of having a years expert |
ence in the House, would be the log
ica1 selections.
The thirty members which each
party will have in the House will. no
doubt, caucus independently and ap-
point steering committees to meet
with each other for the purpose of ar
ranging plans for the organization and
the distribution of patronage in the
way of assistant clerks. committee
secretaries, door keepers, n other
attaches. The big bone of contention !
will pobably arise over assignments
to committees and the arranging of
chairmen for the respective commit
tees
Political observers here see many
interesting Developments in the max
ing as the result of the unusual politi-
cal makeup of the coming house of
assembly.