The Washington times., 1908-09-09
Choice of Nugent as State
Chairman Causes Split
in Party.
DECLARED CLOSE
TO CORPORATIONS
Party's Only Hope for Votes Lies
in Equal Trouble Among
Republicans.
By ]. c. WELLIVER.

NEW YORK, Sept. 9.-There is a fine
large Democratic row on in Jersey, and
the Hearst independence party is ex-
pected to make long strides toward real
significance as a result OF the split
It is all because Of the choice OF
James r. Nugent, OF Newark, TO be
Democratic State chairman. The real re-
formers among the Democrats see in
this selection the evidence of a deal
with the corporation Democracy headed
by former Senator James Smith. ir
Consequently. a bolt already has started
in Essex county. the home of Nugent,
which threatens to spread all over the
State.
The selection of Robert 8. Hudspeth
10 be vice chairman of the national COM
mittee, in charge of tie Eastern cam
paign. started the trouble. Hudspeth
resigned as chairman Of the State COM
mittee in order 10 devote all his time
70 the new task. Immediately the state
eom'nittee chose Nugent for chairman.
New, Hudspeth was regarded as a
pretty good Smith man himself but
he has been Independent enough not to
be seriously Objectionable 10 the BRYAN
men. But Nugent is a brother-in-law
OF Senator Smith, and looked upon as an
alter ego Of the millionaire boss. When
tk5 Jerseymen found out what had
happened. and figured out its sisnih-
canoe. there was something doing all
along the line without delay.
Leaders Of Guard
The promptness with which the stu
alton has become serious has surprised
the managers and rather taken them
off their guard. They expected to have
time enough to smooth out difficulties
and explain that they were simply
transacting some good business for the
party, strictly practical methods. etc.
But they didn't get time 10 explain. The
radicals in Essex kicked over the traces
at the first jump. They are announcing
purpose 10 join with the Independence
party. and a fusion on county and
legislative ticket is already being or
ganized, by way OF protest against
Smith domination.
These Independence League people in
Jersey have some mean tricks about
them. For instance, the Democrats are
worried about the Smith alliance be
cause the Independence people threaten
10 pack some of the Democratic meet
ings, and whenever Smith on any of
lis well-Enown henchmen appear, to
start shouts of sugar Jim, Sugar
Jim
This by way of allusion to certain
stories of Senator Smiths devotion 10
Sugar trust interests when he was In
the Senate ana a tariff measure was
in prepare ton. The culi-Smith pee pie
have used The sugar jim battle CTy
iu other campaigns with most cmbar-
RAISING results, and they give out that
they are going TO sWeeten no their hgnt
with II once more
In With Trusts.
Senator Smith is looked upon by all
politicians as the representative O1
Pennsylvania railroad. public utilities
corporation, and sugar interests on 'He
Democratic side of things in New Jer-
sey. The merely practical politicians
were greatly tickled TO see him brought
back into line for the party in a uit-
tlonal campaign, for he has not been a
Bryan man. Nobody was more bitter
against the Nebrasyan al Denver than
the Smith-cOntrolled Jersey delegation
The practical people see campaign
funds and effective management i'm the
move. But the refosmers ioa't like st.
They see possibility Of the Democrats
coming mack 20 power IN the StaJe-to
be ruled by the same corporate interests
that control under the present EepuDiI-
can regime. They aren't keen enough
for a partisan victory tC want il on
that basis.
The Independence people are letting
no grass grow under their feet They
are redoubling their energies and efforts
to split the DemDCraCr, and, just as a.
Vermont the new party surprised every
body by capturing q respectable repre-
sentatiCn in the Legislature, so in New
Jersey everything indicates that this al
lance will have like results.
May Hurt Bryan.
The national people are wondering
how IL will affect Bryan, OF course,
this detection on local candidates will
have some effect on the national ticket.
The Democratic leaders say they think
il will not cost Bryan many votes so
far as concerns the radicals; but they
fear that If they can't hold their people
on State matters. the corporation Demo
Gratis, none too we'll pleased with Bryan
anyhow. will retail6te by cutting Bry-
ans electors.
If the Republicans weren't iu very
bad shape in Jersey il would seem thai
Democratic hopes there were blasted by
this split; but the excise question has
grown to overshadow everything else
Governor Fort was elected by only
about 1000, and it is alleged that he
made promises 10 both crowds about ms
policy on the liquor issue Anyhow. he
has gone with the law-enforcement eIe-