The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-07
MIR. Smith Of New jersey.

Week after next the Legislature at Tren-
ton will elect Il United States Senator to
succeed RUFUS BLoDGErT for the term be-
ginning on the fourth OF next March.
The new Senator from New Jersey will be
n Democrat. In all probability that Demo-
crac will bs the Hon. JAMES SMITH. Jr.. OF
Newark in Essex county.
A careful and unpreiudiced survey OF the
po!itica! situation in New Jersey rs 1t cx-
lists to-day. will lead aimos; any intelligent
Ierson 20 the conclusion that it is more
Profitable. as matters stand. to ask what
sort OF \ senator Mr.. SMITH is likely to
make. than TO explore the intricacies OF
past aspects OF the Seuatorship canvass in
that State.
Mr.. SMITH OF Essex is the most remark
able man that has come to the front in New
Jersey politics Cor a good many years past.
In some respects he is the most remarkable
man among those who are los coming to
the front in the national Affairs OF the
Democratic party. His faculty for politics
amounts to positive genius. By this d good
deal more is meant than n genius for or
ganization and detail and for running the
machine smoothly and successfully in
ward. county. or State. He is a seer. q
logician. and a diplomat. He possesses to
an unusual degree the creative inn
agination which presents to the mind
the facts and bearings OF u future
state OF affairs under given condi-
tons. and presents them 81 distinctly
| that they can be taken for granted
and worked up to intelli2ently. For that
| reason. such predictions or campaign estl-
mates as he can be induced To make are
| regarded by his friends as sinsularly
president. His grasp OF public questions.
his perception OF the drift OF pr bic opinion.
and his apprehension of new factors ia
| politics. are all strengthened and sharpened
by this peculiar faculty. which It would he
difficult to aualyze further without DecoiH-
Ing too metaphysical. He understands
| other men as well as he understands him
SELF. In his party relations rs \ leader and
a fighter. he is generally regarded as a
model OF tact. good humor. Inc LOYALTY.
| He has made as many enemies. and has
transformed as many enemies into friends,
or at least brevet-friends. as any other
man in his State. These qualities
not only account for his surprisingly
sudden progress to prominence. for 1t Was
hardly day before yesterday that Mr..
SMITHS political reputation and influence
were confined to his own town. but they
also explain the distinguished services
which he has been able to render to Democ-
racy. He would be an almost perfect man
ager OF q Presidential campaign. 4 ma
| tional Democratic canvass conducted by
him would be characterized by no nonsense.
and hampered by no illusions; 1t would
move along to success as sweetly and Sc
renely as u bride 10 the altar.
1t is proper to add TO this sketch OF the
| Hon. JAMES SMITH, Jr.'s. individual charac-
t~eristics as a statesman that he is a modest
man blessed by heaven with a kindly tenn
permanent and a keen sense OF humor. He
could not be a solemn humbug il he tried.
\ In the United States Senate. New Jersey
Democracy would be heard through Mr..
SMITH, not the less effectually because he
figured there rather as a counsellor than
as an orator, and as q leader with brains.
courage. and sound judgment. rather than
as q rhetorician. 1t Is common in New
Jersey to say that his value and influence
would resemble Mr.. GoRMAN's more than
that OF the Democratic Senators who are
oftener on their feet addressing the Vice.
President. The comparison with GoRMAN
may be worth mentioning. but it Is merely
a platitude to say that Mr.. SMITH pos
sesses qualities which Mr.. GoRMAS lacks.
and lacks qualities which Mr.. GoRMAS has.
| The Hon. JAMES SAITH. Jr.. Is very indi-
vidual. He is nobody's replica.
A curious circumstance concerning the
Senatorial canvass which approaches its
end In New Jersey with the strong proba-
bility OF Mr.. SMfrH's election. is that he has