New-York tribune., 1919-01-27
Colby Boom Revives
Jerseys Hopes for
Hot Political Fight
Ex-senator Still Silent on
Republican Cubernatorial
Nomination; Friends Say
He Would Unite Factions

The announcement last week that
West Orange friends of ex-senator
Everett Colby had launched boom
for him for the Republican nomination
for Governor has revived the hopes Of
those residents of New Jersey who like
dash Of tabasco in their politics, but
had begun to think that 1919 would be
an off year. 1t is by no means certain
that Colby will decide to run, but his
friends declare that the logic of the
situation will compel him to make the
race.
Until the West Orange Republicans
declared their desire to have the ex-
Senator, now majo in the tank corps
of the army, make the race for Gov
ernor, only two names were mentioned
in connection with the nomination.
One of these was that of N. A. Bugbee,
of Trenton, chairman of the Republican
Mayor Thomas l.. Raymond, of Newark,
a member of the Newark City Com
mission. Raymond, like Colby, is a
lawyer.
The argument Of Colby's friends
summarized is that the policies he had
to make his hardest fights for are now
the policies of everybody and that the
demand of the hour is for an advanced
Republican abreast Of the problems of
the day. They add that with the two
United States Senators coming from
the southern part of the state the Gov
ernor should be from the northern sec
ton.
Will Appeal to All Sides
On top of this they urge that Colby
will appeal to all factions within the
Republican party with the exception
Of the extreme "stand patters," and
that his record in the war will appeal
to the soldier vote His commission
as major, they point out, was won
after enlisting as q private. Prior to
enlisting he worked in this country
and abroad under Herbert C. Hoover,
declining, when that work was done. to
accept commission in non-com-
Blatant corps.
The opposition within the party to
Colby in other days has, these friends
declare, either ceased to be important
factors or have come around to his
way of thinking. Chief of these was
the railroad interests. The companies
are no longer to be counted to inter
fere. while the owners of railroad Sc
curities, who so bitterly opposed him,
have now to great extent come
around to his way of thinking. Another
large interest, which WAS formerly
most prominent in the fights against
him, the breweries, are not expected
to be as active this year.
Friends of State Chairman Bugbee
declare that he would make~a stronger
candidate than Major Colby from the
fact that he has not figured in bitter
fights in the past and that he is at
ceptable tc those in control of the
state organization. They deny that he
is using the organization TO promote
his candidacy and declare there is
nothing inconsistent with the best DO
itical ethics IN the chairman being n
candidate for Office. Bugbee is un-
deniably strong in the southern part
of the state.
Raymond Strong in Newark
Raymonds strength is, so far as in
dications to date would show, largely
confined to the City of Newark. In tho
past he has figured as reformer,
but Of late years had worked in har-
mony with the machine. With a solid
Newark, his friends assert he should
have no difficulty in securing the
nomination and election.
Jersey Republicans not yet identi
fed with either candidacy are inclined
to the opinion that if Colby enters the
race, and they believe he will,
it will be anybody's nomination until