Palisadian., 1923-03-16
STATE HIGHWAY BOARD CONFIRMED
after HARD, NASTY AND DRAWN OUT
POLITICAL FIGHT, A DISGRACE TO n. J.
Republican Senators Come to Governor Slzers Aid in
Spirit of Fairness to Peoples Rights.

Trenton. March 13-New Jersey now
has legally constituted State High
way Commission of four members,
two Republicans and two Democrats,
after being without one for eight
weeks while Republican "die-hards"
tried to deprive Governor Silzer of
the right of appointing them. The
Senate confirmed their nominations
late this afternoon.
Governor Silzer took his victory,
which is conceded to be one of the
greatest ever accomplished in the po-
litical annals of the state, with the ut
most modesty. He made no vainglori-
GUS statement but one, in which he
thanked the press of the state for the
aid it gave and congratulated the peo-
pie on the benefit to accrue.
Varied Vote on Nominees
Confirmation of the four men was
made by the Senate in formal manner
during an executive session. They
are Percy Stewart of Plainfield and
Abraham Jelin of New Brunswick,
Democrats, and Gen. Hugh l.. Scott of
Princeton and Walter Kidde of Mont
clair, Republicans.
]. General Scott was approved by thir
/ teen senators, with five recorded in
opposition. Stewart was approved by
twelve, with seven in opposition. Je
lin and Kidde were ratified by twelve,
| Ixryifh civ Cd IN han
The four new commissioners will be
sworn in this afternoon at 8 o'clock by
Governor SiIzer and will at once make
plans for the 1928 road-building pro-
gram
How Republicans Split
whose name had been proposed for a
!, place on the ~board, was absent from
the executive session. Senator Smith
of Paterson was present, but refused
to vote.
Senator Reeves of Cumberland coun-
ty voted only on General Scotts name
| and then in opposition. President
Wallworth of the Senate joined in the
vote in favor of General Scott
were four Democrats and nine Repub-
licans.
! The senators voting for General
Scott were Agans, Barber, Blackwell
Case, Kays, Larson. Parry, Pierson,
Roberts, Simpson, Stevens. Whitney
and Wallworth Against him were
Bright, FODDER, Mackay, Mathis and
Richards-total 13 to s.
The four Democrats are Agans, Bar
Der. Rays and Simpson.
The vote for Messrs. Kidde and Je-
lin was: Agans, Barber, Blackwell,
Case, Kays, Larson, Parry, Pierson,
Roberts, Simpson, Stevens and Whit
ney; against, Bright, FODDER Mackay.
Mathis, Richards and Wallworth-to-
tai. II to 6.
The vote for Mr.. Stewart was the
same as for Messrs. Kidde and Jelin
except that Senator Reeves joined the
opposition-total,1 IL to Z.
Governor Silzer's Statement
Governor Silzer on learning that the
Senate had confirmed his nominees by
one vote more than the necessary ma
iority of eleven in three instances and
two more than necessary in the case
of General Scott made this statement:
81 am very grateful to the newspa
pers for the help they have given in
this contest, which was a real fight.
81 feel that the result will prove to
be a great benefit to the people not
only in the matter of saving money
for them, but also in securing good
roads.
"The people should not forget the
men in the Senate who stood consist
emily for the interests of the state"
Stevens Awaits Reaction
When Senator Stevens, Republican
leader, who had been supporter of
the governors nominations consistent
ly, was asked whether he cared to
make any comment on the outcome he
said:
81 do not wish to say anything now
| am waiting for the reaction. 1t was
the hardest fight | ever had. 1t was
especially hard to have to break with
the men one had been long associated
with, but | felt compelled out of
sense of duty owed the state"
Wire to Hudson Dispatch.