The New York herald., 1920-01-07
JERSEY DRYs PUSH
ATTEMPT TO QUAsH
EDWARDS ELECTION
fpiscfaimer of Advertising Fl
nanced by Vets Is Invalid,
I Is Contention.

, g. Rowland Arunroe. counsel for the
! 4nthSaloon League OF New Jersey, yes
terday sent to Thomas r. McCran. Attor-
uey General. at Trenton, a brief sustaining
: his contentious that the election Of Edward
r. Edwards as Governor OF New Jersey
should be declared null and void be-
cause OF alleged violations OF the Corrup,
Practices act
The Anti-Safoon League bases its argu-
ment largely ON technical question OF the
validity of the disclaimer filed by Mr.
Edwards TO the effect that he had nothins
whatever to do with the expenditures ir
his behalf by the Association Opposed &c
National Prohibition These expenditures
were largely in the nature OF advertise
ments in newspapers
Mr.. Edwards, it is admitted, handed such
a disclaimer to the Secretary Of State
who put il in his pocket and later placed
Il on his desk in his office In Trenton. Mr.
Munroe says that I'm order for such n dis
ayowal to come within tho meaning of tho
law, Mr.. Edwards should have forwarded
81 direct to the office Of the Secretary OF
State In Trenton to have II filed imme-
diately.
The contention ofrthe Anti-Sasoon Lcagus
hinges on that clause OF tho Corrupt Prac-
tices act that provides for tho expenditure
of not more than S5.0 900 by nominee fol-
the office of Governor. Where other agen-
cie-s spend more than that sum the norni-
nee Is required TO ffle a disavowal OF their
activities. The statement OF Mr.. Edwards
shows that he spent s2l, 1882.
The election of the twelve Assem- bly,
men from Essex county on the Demo
cratic ticket also is being fought by the
Anti-Saloon League. Attempts are being
made TO invalidate their election on the
same grounds as those urged in the case
OF Mr.. Edwards.
In discussing whether or not Mr.. Ed
wards disavowal was actually and legal
1v filed, Mr.. Nrunroe's brief says, In part
"Of course there is not on this question
any more than on any other legal oues-
tfon. complete harmony of opinion where
she woro file is used generally, but our
statute is very specific. 1t does not say
filled. with the Secretary Of State or
other officer where the candidates for the
several offices are required to file the
pspers relating to their election matters;
il saws specifically by filing in the pub
lie office in which the statement OF moneys
expended by or on behalf of such cam
didate is required 10 be filed Where
eich language Is used the cases are clear
that the paper must be lodged In the Of
flee with the person in charge"
Because of these contentious, Dir. Nun
roe asks the Attorney General to institute
uuo warranto proceedings TO invalidate the
eiee ton of Mr.. Edwards and the twelve
Assen1bymen.
Mr.. Edwards is mot at all worried" over
the attempt of the Anti-Saloon League tc
prevent him from taking hisiseat as Gov.
crnor on January 90. he said at the close oi
y conference with his advisers in Jersey
city. ITe declared that he had not YET
made UP his mind TO remove any commits
gioners or members OF any State commits
sion.
Referring to the brief filed by Mr.. Nun
roe Mr.. Edwards sad:-'I think have
answered that before. The people OF thi,
state made known their choice for Cover.
nor at the polls last November and they
will have their way"
At the conference arrangements wer,
made fcr a dinner for Mr.. Edwards by tn,
Democratic members OF the Legislature a
the Robert Treat Hotel. Newark, on Jan
nary 20.