New-York tribune., 1908-09-07
CUNNING FOR JERSEY.

Recent mannuYreS or the DeUOcTdtic ledueiS
indicate a design to attempt TO capture the
vote Of New Jersey for Bryan The national
committee chairman, Mr. Mack, has intrusted
the management of the campaign in New York
and the East generally to Robert S. Hudspeth,
the New Jersey member of the national COM
mittee and long conspicuous member of the
New Jersey Democratic machine. Also it is
announced that Mr.. Bryan himself Will make
stumping tour of the state, beginning at
Gloucester City-fragrant with the memories
of the "Duke'-and including most of the i'm
portant places IN the state. There seems to
he an idea extant among rainbow chasers that
New Jersey Is doubtful state this year ana
that it may on the morning of November be
found in the Bryan column. OF course al
things are possible" Many years ago New
Jersey used to go Democratic, by small MAORI
ties, under an electoral system which enabled
the managers to make the returns agree, not
with the ballots actually cast but with the needs
of the party But even then the Democratic
ma jority never exceeded $4,000. and usually
was not half that figure. Since the power OF
the Democratic ring was broken the state has
gone Republican by from $4,000 to 10000.
Really. we can perceive no conditions which
should make relapse into the old ways pos
sible.
1t might, by the cynically and skeptically In
clined, be suspected that the ambitions, AMI
mosities and rfvalries of state leaders had more
to do with Mr.. Hudspeth's appointment than
any real expectation of winning the state for
Mr. Bryan. But such suspicious would be quite
unworthy of New jersey Democracy. 1t will
be recalled that ex-senator James Smith, 1r.,
was strongly opposed to the nomination OF
Mr. Bryan, and succeeded in influencing the
ma jority of the state delegation to his way or
thinking, while the Hon. Robert Davis led
ferIorn hope minority in favor of Mr.. Bryan.
Now if there were any antagonism or bitter
rivalry between those two gentlemen, 1t might
be conceivable that Mr.. Smith would urge Mr..
Mack to appoint Mr. Hudspeth, who comes
from Mr.. Davis's bailiwick, to take charge of
the Bryan campaign. Thus he would connect
his assumed rival with defeat and disaster,
and at the same time be enabled to get close
aly of his own into the state chairmanshp-
for Mr. Hudspeth has, of course, resigned the
New Jersey craftsmanship and has been sue
ceeded by that "reaI Democrat" the Hon.
James Nugent, the bright particular star OF
the galaxy which circles around Mr.. Smith in
Newark and one of the most outspoken oppo-
nents of the Peerless Leader But, of course,
such suppostions would be quite fantastic,
since In spite of wicked intmations to the
contrary, Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Davis are, In fact,
the Damon and Pythfas of the New Jersey
N-OO0
anything IN party management without con-
sultfng the wishes of the other, while, of
course, Mr. Smiths and Mr. Nugents opposi-
ton to Mr. Bryan has been purely Pickwick-
ian
We must therefore conclude that these lead
ers. working in perfect accord, are sincerely con-
vinced that there is a fighting chance of finding
pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow some
where on the Newark meadows, and that their
united efforts have prevailed upon the national
leaders to take the same optimistic view. Doubt
less Mr. Smith rejolces in the prospect that Mr.
Davis will be found to have been in the right IN
advocating Mr.. Bryan's nomination, while Mir.
Davis is happy In the knowledge that MI
Smiths loyal retainer has become the dtular
head of the state machine. All is indeed most
lovely With such harmony among the leaders,
and with the splendid prestige of popular favor
which Mr.. Bryan has ever enjoyed in that
state, New Jersey ought TO be quite surely
Democratic on any day in the year-excepting
Election Day! On that one day it Is likely TO
90 Republican But the two 'Bobs' of Hud-
son and the two "Jims' of Essex will have
lovely time chasing the rainbow, all the same;
which is a more commendable occupation than
chasing-some other things.