Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1919-11-06
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

TRENTON, Nov. 6:-Although 1t
is probably little too early to spec
ulate on the work of the Edwards
administration. which came into
power by virtue of Tuesdays general
election, one fact remains uppermo ost:
That the house and senate will be
Republican by fair majorities and
the governor may find difficulty, be-
ing of the opposite political faith,
in inducing his opponents to support
his program of legislation.
The house will probably stand
thirty-three Republicans to twenty
seven Democrats, and the senate
fifteen Republicans and six Demo
Gratis. Therefore, while the voters
of the state have indicated they
wanted wet" governor they have
failed to equip him with legislature
of his own political persuasion. How
ever, there are enough ''wets' elected
in the House of Assembly to help the
governor elect make good on his pre-
diction to make New Jersey as wet
as the Atlantic ocean," but the SEN
ate Is largely controlled by the vote
of the senators from the rural coun-
ties on such propositions. which vote
usually goes against the so-called lib
eral legislation.
However, with a man of the Ed
wards fighting qualities in the COVER
nor's chair, the Republican lawmak-
ers in each branch will have to keep
on the Jump in order that he does
not outmaneuver them. The COVER
nor-elect is no novice in state politics.
He served as state comptroller for SIX
full years, at a most interesting poll
tical period. He has also been in the
senate for year, and he knows
lot about the game.
1t will be interesting to watch the
fate of the new governors bill for an
elective utility board to replace the
system of appointing members to this
important body. One Republican
legislature is on record as defeating
the idea. What the next one will do
with this proposition is doubtful at
this time, especially in view of the
body, whether the disapproval be
merited or not In the last senate
Mr.. Edwards induced several of his
Republican colleagues to support his
elective bill, and with the power and
prestige of the governors office back
of him, he may be able to induce
sufficient G. o. P. solons to line up
with the Democrats and pass the bill
this winter.
Although speculation at this time
is idle, one thing seems to be as
sured. TEDDY" Edwards will be no
governor-in- name-only. Whether the
people give him a lawmaking body in
harmony with his own views or not,
1t is believed by political observers
and students of state government
here that he will be ION the job" and
things will be kept moving at all
times.
From a political standpoint the
Democratic party is expected to ben
eft considerably in organization un
der Edwards titular leadership. He
Is known as a staunch organization
man, and his work in reorganizing
with the help of State Chairman
Charles F. Mcdonald, the badly dis
ordered forces of the party in many
counties of the state during the past
ten months and the result on Tues
day, following that preparatory work,
is indicative of what he may be ex
pected to do further to build up
fighting Democracy throughout the
state. During his encumbency as
governor he will have to distribute
many luscious plums, and it Is ex-
pected that the first requisite of an
application for any of these choice
public places will have to bear the
stamp of approval that he has been
regular.
A recent Democratic governor in
Cured considerable enmity from
party leaders In different counties, to
consequent party detriment, by his
tendency to disregard the organiza-
tions, which helped him, in the mat
ter of distributing the patronage.
Governor-elect Edwards Is on rec
ord as wanting to reward the staunch
party organization men, and it is ex-
pected that the party's grip will be
very much stronger through the or
ganizing ability of the new governor,
and his recognition of loyalty.