The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-05-30
GOV. RUNYONSTILL-
PUZZLES LEADERS
Jersey Republicans Would Like to
Know if He Is a Guber-
material Candidate.
POLITICAL GOSSIP is BUSY.
Utilities Pay State Upon Gross Re-
ceipts-Jersey Board Makes New
Assessment Under Act of
Last Legislature.

President William n. Runyon as acting
governor of New Jersey at noon today
was enlivened by revival among his
friends of the persistent reports that
he is likely to become candidate for
the Republican nomination for gov
ernor
1t is known that Republican lead
ers, principally those who are sup
porting the candidacy of State Comp
troller Bugbee, are eager to keep Gov
ernor Runyon out of the primary, and
it is understood that considerable poll
teal pressure has already been
brought to bear with the end in view
of dissuading him from entering the
primary fight.
One of the chief concerns of the
Bugbee wing of the Republican party
is that the Anti-SaloOn League sup
port, which Mr.. Bugbee now has to a
great extent. would be shifted from
him and given to Governor Runyon
If the latter should become candi-
date. Such a contingency would un-
questionably, make big hole in the
Bugbee strength and at the same time
make Governor Runyon most for
midable contender for the Republican
nomination aginst Bugbee and City
Commissioner Thomas L. Raymond OF
Newark.
Fillmore Condit of Essex County
has filed a petition nominating him
self as the Anti-Saloon Leagues can
didate for governor. Condit will run
as an Independent Republican, but
will not participate as candidate in
the primary election.
1t is understood that Condit's nom
nation was primarily made so that
the Anti-Saloon forces would be GER
tain to have candidate of their OWL
In the general election In the event
of the nomination of Raymond as the
regular Republican candidate. Should
Governor RunyOn become candidate
in the primary and win the Republi
can nomination there is reason to be
lieve that Condit would retire in ia
vor of Runyon.
The Inauguration of Governor Run
ycn took place in the reception room
of the Governors office at the state
house. The oath was administered by
Chancellor Walker Following the In
duction of Governor Runyon there was
an informal reception by Mr.. Edge an6
the new executive to state officials ant
employees and friends of both men.
There was rich floral display il
honor of Governor Runyon. man!
beautiful bouquets having been SEN
by his friends.
Mrs. RunyOn witnessed the inaugu
ration of her husband and with hei
was speaker of the house and Mrs
Arthur n. Pierson, assistant attorney
general and Mrs. William Newcorn
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Nash. Jr., and
Miss Antoinette Carey Thomas, all OF
Planfield.
Vincent w. Nash, Jr., who was sec
rotary to the new governor when he
was president of the senate, became
the governors secretary when Fran
els f. Croasdale, who was Governor
Edges secretary, was made state IL
brarian.
Two Precedents.
Precedent makes it possible for Gov
ernor Runyon 10 become candidate
and to win. That is precisely what
happened in the case of Foster Nj
Voorhees,. who as president of the sen
ate became acting governor when Johf
w. Griggs forsook the office to become
attorney general of the United States
in the second Mckinley cabinet. Mr.
Griggs was the first Republican COVER
nor chosen in New Jersey In genera
ton, his triumph following the grea'
upheaval of the anti-racetrack gam
bling movement in 1895 Mr.. VOORHEES,
resigned in time to become the part.
candidate under the direction of tht
late General Sewell, then in almos
tndisputed command of the party IL
the state. and he was elected.
The same situation appeared wher
Woodrow Wilson laid down the Office
of governor to take up his greater
work as leader of the nation. The
Democrats were still in the majority ii
the senate and they had chosen Sena
tor James F. Fielder, another indie
pendent and forceful character, a'
president as a mark of appreciation
of high-type service. He relinquishet
the post of acting governor TO become
his party candidate and was elected
over such strong man as former
Governor Edward G. Stokes.
There is not much superstition in tht
makeup of the average political man
ager. 1t is usually cold, hard facts anC
direct application that count in his cal
culations, but the rule of three is un.
canny at times-nearly always.
In his contemplation of the possibili
ties of the situation, soon after he was
chosen president of the senate. Mr.
Runyon declared to some intimate
friends that he could not consider the
possibilities of seeking the nomination
for full term. his principal reason be
ing that he lacked the necessary finan
cial facilities for making a campaign
Later 1t was suggested that such 8
matter might be taken care of, but
he still maintained hostile attitude tc
the proposal. No doubt the Republican