Evening star., 1949-11-03
The Political Mill
DriscolI's Reelection
Would Bolster 6. @. P.
New Jersey Governors Victory Gould
Kill Hasue's Comeback Try III
By Gould Lincoln


NEWARK, N. j.. Nov 3-Re-election of
Gov. Alfred E. Driscoll of New Jersey, which
now appears likely (though the Democrats
do not admit it,. would have several definite
repercussions
First, 1t would place the Governor in a
really strategic position as an outstanding
figure IN the Republican Party ready to
make bid for place on the party's ma
tlonal ticket in 1852. Second. a Driscoll
victory would be in some measure an Off
set to Lehman victory over Senator Dulles
IN the New York senatorial scramble-f that
happens-or capStone to a Republican tri-
umph in this off-year should Senator Dulles
De able to nose out his Democratic opponent.
Ihe third result Of Driscoll win over his
Democratic opponent, State Senator Elmer
H. Wene would be body blow to Frank q
am the law Hague, who has been the
democratic State leader in Jersey for more
than 80 years and the Democratic boss of
Hudson County Jersey City, for an even
longer period
Mr.. Hague took licking in the Jersey
City elections last May, when Mayor .John
V. Kenny. Democrat and his followers dras.
tlcaliy defeated the Hague slate of candi.
dates for municipal Office.
u. o. P. Morale at Stake
on the other hand, should Gov, Driscoll
lose to Mr.. Wene, Republican morale would
lake a nose dive, particularly If it should be
accompanied by the defeat of Senator Dulles
across the Hudson River. The outlook for
democratic triumph in the 1850 coneres.
S1oia1 electlons would be bright, and tho
truman Fair Deal program would stand a
lar better chance of enactment-or much of
lt-ln the coming second session of the 81
Congress. '-''
Oe1eat OF Mr.. Wene would be by no means
an unmlxed sorrow for New jersey Demo.
Gratis. Many of them are anxious to be rid
OF Mr. Hague, the Hague machine and
Haguelsm once and for all-and say 50. They
believed Mr.. Hague had received a COUP de
grace when his candidates were defeated by
Ine Kenny faction in Jersey City last spring.
Mr.. hague, however, is hardy perennial.
he still retains his membership in the Dem.
ocratlc National Committee and his leader.
snip SO lar as Hudson County is concerned.
ana ne Is gambling desperately for come.
back.
Wene Is Hague's Choice.
Mr. Wene is Mr.. Hagues selection for tho
Oemocratlc gubernatorial nomination this
year and, II Mr.. Wene is elected, Mr.. Hague
Will be IN the saddle again and would die.
Iate appointments to important State Offices.
mere is the stake for which Mr.. Hague is
ganoang: M1n g., Inc next Governor. DriscoIl or
"ene Will have the appointment of four
OUT OF seven associate justices of the State
supreme Court, the appointment of II out
ol 90 OF the superior court Justices the
appointment OF nearly all the county and
olStrlct court judges and of 19 out of 81
nCa'e prosecutors. And, finally, he will have
Ine appointment of the heads of the u
departments of the State government.
Snouid Mr. Wene win and Mr.. Hapues
recommendations be followed in these an.
polntmentS. the old boss would be s,nreme
again and could thumb his nose at Mayor
Kenny IN Jersey City any time he wished.
Young Democrats Alert.
1t Is easy to understand. therefore that
many OF the Kenny Democrats are not
anxious to do much to help Mr.. Wene IN
tnls campaign. Furthermore, there is an
p-ano-comlng group of younger Democrats
VINO wish to build up strong party. with
a democratic State Committee representa.
1--WE OF all sections and undominated bv
S, MI hague, Mayor Kenny or Hudson County.
1nlS would be something new
1ov. OrlScoll Is an outstanding progressive
Nepuoilcan who has given the State a oood
administration and added some worthwhile
laws TO the statute books. Because he he,
troo on the toes of some of the Old Guard
HepuoncanS he has been in some danger NJ
oe1eat. Republican leaders insist the DANCE,
is now past. N"1'ee1
II II ne WINS, his victory will hearten the so.
calleo Young Turks in the Republican Party
'nioughout the country. Mr.. Wene. on the
oener hand. has no particular record. either
IN the State Senate or in the House ~
representatives. where he served for thre.
tefns' presumably. if elected, he would hs
just f1gurehead for Frank Hague.