New-York tribune., 1922-01-24
Senate, l7-3, Refuses 10
Confirm Edwards's Nom
nation of Democratic
Leader for Prosecutor
Drvs Rally to
Demand Defeat
Solid Republican Vote
and One of Minority Is
Cast against Essex Man
spec.oi Dispatch TO 7h. r~l,ur.

TRENTON, N. j., Jan. 23.-The New
iersey Senate, in executive session to-
night, refused to confirm the nomina-
ION g Governor Edwards OF James r.
Nugent, Dem ocratic leader of Essex
county. as prosecutor Of the county, to
~rcceed J. Henry Harrison. whose term
r,pired. Republican members of the
senate lined up soldly in opposition
70 NUTent who did not even receive
re full support OF members of his own
Gsrty. two Of whom failed to give him
their votes There were seventeen
votes cast in opposition to the confir-
nation and only three for It. Senator
I-H-r 7 Kays. Democrat, Of Sussex,
was absent.
Confirmation OF the nomination of
NcCeut which only week ago was
regarded as a certainty. had been ex-
t-cm ~ doubtful for two days, and its
failure became virtual certainty to-
ngat, waen the members Of the Sen
arc began to gather. From the doubt
pressed by the friends OF Mr. Nugent
IN bota parties it became evident that
the violent campaign that has been di-
7ectcd against the Essex County leader
b. officials of the Anti-Saloon League
snd other FRIENDS of the prohibition
csuse lad telling effect.
Republicans Freed of Pledge
Democrats in the Senate lost hope
tn evening when several of their Re-
publican colleagues who had pledged
them selves 10 vote for Nugent asked to
BE- relieved of this obligation, and this
concession WaS granted
Sore OF these Senators, however.
carried their fight for the confirmation
into the executive session, and CON
,.nued 1t unavaiiingly for an hour.
When It became evident, however, that
they could not swing maj jority it was
decided to make the ballot party
vote.
The sixteen Republican Senators
voted IS whole against confirmation
and they were Joined by Senator David
4. Agaas, Democrat, Of Hunterdon
TIE failure Of Agans to line up with
hs part. did not come as a surprise. as
he repre- sents Z county that is ardent
" dr.. and he accordingly could not
risk incurrlnr the di<rleasure of his
constituency by giving his support to
Nugent who IS looked upon as the
leader Of the forces in the state that
arc recting violent antlgonism at the
Van Nos and the Nolstead enforce
mont avs
Personal Victory for Parry
De'rst Of the Nugent nomination
constitutes somewhat of a persona. tri-
umpf 70, Senator Parry. Of Essex. who
's tive nsVsss ns~eomss sT1'nss IN state 't
poatlcs- WtA virtually 70 support from
IT, ieadEs of his party, succeeded in
eommsHing sufficient strength to
bIneNoout ono of the most singing
defWs over sustained by Nugent in
hWmany years of leadership in New
>~rsey politics.
( Parry branded Nugent as an advo-
cate of iewlessness and as d friend of
fhe boot.eggers and declared that as
snch he wasn't qualified to hold the re-
spOrsiolhty of enforcing the law in
fsf"N CouTtv This stand brought to
Parry support friends of the prohi-
o.ien cause trom every part of the
sN'e and their showing of strength
pnred to be so formidable as to cause
hpUoNcans who were not inclined to
sstair his stand to swing into line
ed suprort the rule of senatorial
o0rtesy, which requires the mem
'eIs OF the majority to support the DO
ltion OF the representative Of the
:ounty Tor which an appointment is to
oe made. w
IN The hope of breaking down tn.
0Ppos 5'on that was steadily pilimg up
'fa'nst him. Mr.. Nugent only a day
'"o ago sent to each member OF
-, s'' senate Il letter in which he pledged
nn-S'4i 10 enforce the laws of the
.iiiess OF his personal views
Ss Z their pronriety. This measure
however. failed f. Influence the Repub,
lcar members
me- prospects of action on the nomi-
aa'i'n OF Nugent brought to the State
-ese to-niNh, throng of his friends
opponents from every section of
state Prominent among the former
exc a mber of the officials of the
1e" Jersey AntiSaloon League, while
,ose Wno hoped TO see the confirma-
s''' - ms domination were not con-
~