The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-11-28

age of any reasonable resolution or
measure aimed at prohibition as
among the Republican leaders there
seems to be lurking the suspicion that
the managers of the Anti-Saloon
League jockeyed them into a yawning
trap and the sooner they wriggle out
the better it will be for the party
which plans to do something handsome
in the campaign next year.
Former Governor Stokes, the state
chairman, is said to have given voice
to the sentiments of the other leaders
in his scorching broadside upon Sam
uel Wilson, the league officer, who
gloated over the defeat of Comptroller
Bugbee, to which they dry voters con-
tributed in no small degree. Thus, the
new governor, Senator Edwards, al
though of the opposite political faith,
may have strong support in the legis-
lature for his program on liquor legis-
lation, whatever that may be-
One of the outstanding features of
the present political situation in the
state is the absence of any one potent
personality in the leadership of either
Republicans or Democrats. 1t was
evident at the conference of Repub-
lican senators that they were direct
ed by no single leader, or even set of
leaders, and that unusual conditions
were almost as visible in the gather
ing of Republican assemblymen-elect
A year ago it did not seem as though
the then Governor Edge was in com
mand of the Republicans organization
insofar as legislative slatemaking was
concerned, and former UniteH States
Senator Baird and former Governor
Stokes, with Comptroller Bugbee and
one or two others, were in powerful in
fluence; but this year it looks like a
catch-as-catch-can wrestle.
The Baird men, it is said, acquiesc-
ed in the plan to pick North Jersey
men for the more important posts in
both houses in the belief that there
would be distinct advantage to be
gained in hearkening to the cry thai.
South Jersey has been "hogging
tiAhsSs. bul W inc oIulIdGN ODSbEN-
err of political moves it looks very
much as though both the senators and
assemblymen are freer than they have
been for years in the choice of their
principal officers.
The Republicans have been rent
asunder by fractional squabbles in the
big counties of Essex and Hudson.
where the Democrats are better organ
lied than in any other counties of the
state. These squabbles have resulted
culean efforts will be made to settle
the differences before more complete
wreck comes. The next move on the
political board will be the election OF
delegates to the national convention,
and under existing conditions there is
sure to be hard and bitter contest.
Ever since the election there has been
a casting up by party leaders and
workers, each blaming the other for
the defeat of Comptroller Bugbee, hui
all apparently agreeing that it was
due to the attempt to straddle import
ant issues of the campaign. 1t is also
agreed that such a course can never
bring victory in a state where the peo.
pie have become accustomed to cast.
ing their ballots upon personal convic-
tons rather than as followers of any
party leaders, There were so many
marked demonstrations of this indie
pendence in the recent election thai
leadership became almost a misnomer.
High Cost of Candidates..
One other phase of political condi-
lions in New Jersey is the high cost
of candidates., and there is indica-
ton of some action by the incoming
legislature looking to the removal of
serious obstacles to the selection of
the best men for public office. Under
the statewide primary law candidates
for governor and United States sen
ator are obliged to make two long and
costly campaigns, one for the nomina-
ton and another for the election No
poor man can hope to combat for the
honor of such Offices. Senator Ed
wards is not blessed with superabun-
dance of rocks, and he felt the strain
keenly. His loyal friends rallied to
his support with financial succor or he
would have been swamped.
Three years ago upward of quar-
ter of million of dollars was spent
in the campaign for governor and
United States senator, but under the
present law such expenditures are
now limited. In the old days the blue
sky was the limit, and when the legiS-
lature elected U. S. senator's the po-
litical atmosphere was thick with ru-
mors of scandals. The rigorous laws
for the preservation of the sanctity OF
the ballot have put a lasting check
upon dishonest OUTLAWS of money in
such contests, but the legitimate ex-
penses have grown to such proportions
as to cause men to stop and think.
Just what can be done in the prem
Uses has not yet developed, but many
of the foremost men of both parties
are casting about for ways and means
of meeting the situation. AS at pres
ent arranged it becomes necessary for
a candidate for governor or United
States senator to open his campaign
for nomination early in the spring and
then if successful at the primaries
keep everlastingly at it till the leaves
fall. 1t is heavy tax upon his
physical and mental powers, to say
nothing of the financial drain, and
there is strong demand for a radical
change.