Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-16
FIGHTS FOR SENATE
New York and New Jersey to
Be Main Backgrounds.
SUPPORT PROMISED SMITH
Latter Makes Formal Announcement
Of His Candidacy.
OPPOSED BY WOODROW WILSON
sheehan, Shepard and Cohalan Are
Prominently Mentioned in the
Empire State.
SUPPORT PROMISED SMITH
OPPOSED BY WOODROW WILSON

| With the beginning of the New Year
only d few days off, which will mark the
| converting of state lcgis atures, political
| interest centerS in the contests for United
States senator in two states. New York
and New Jersey will be the principal
| backgrounds, with democratic senators
to be elected in these states.
A bitter factional contest is assured in
New jersey. C;ov-elect Woodrow Will
son. as stated in The Star several days
ago, has thrown down the gage of de-
| fiance to James Smith, jr., in the latter's
candidacy for the Senate. AS heretofore
exp aimed, DR.. Wilson favors the candi-
dacy of James e. MARITIME. who was in
dorsed at the primary last fall.
Former Senator Smith yesterday made
formal announcement of his candidacy. In
a letter sent to the eleven democratic
assemblymen-e elect of Essex county. who
had written to him proffering their sup
port, Mr.. Smith consented to permit the
use Of his name as a candidate.
Reply of Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Smith said that the action of the
Essex county men deeply impressed him,
| and he added: II have received so many
assurances Of like nature from other
members-eiect that / am convinced the
majority Of the democratic members who
will comprise the next legislature COIN
eide with your views.
| Under such circumstances, while In no
| sense eager to assume the great reSpon-
| sibilities involved, I feel that my duty to
our party requires that l give assent to
! your request"
Mr.. Smith announced his platform, and
probably surprised the conservative wing
of the party, of which faction he is a
notable member, 10y indorsing the cleo
ular vote. Mr.. Smiths views of the tariff
were expressed as follows:
| "A prompt revision Of the tariff down.
| ward, especially with reference to the
the conservation Of our industrial inter-
ests and the welfare of our wage earn
| ers.'
The fight against Mr. Smith which DR..
Wilson has inaugurated promises to be
very bitter. 1t will be a straightout con-
test between the conservative and radical
factions OF the democratic party. DR..
| Wilson has espoused the cause Of Mr.
primary and because he is pronounced
progressive.
Candidate for Many Offices.
1t is said Of Mr. MARITIME that he has
been a candidate for more Offices and with
less success than any other man in New
Jersey. He has run for the assembly four
times. for the state senate four times, for
Congress twice, for governor twice and
for the United States Senate once before
the present occasion. He has never been
elected to anything yet.
For twenty-five years Mr.. MARITIME has
advocated direct primaries. He believes
| In tariff for revenue only and last fall
denounced the republican tariff system as
~~H.i -
teen-to-one free silver man in 1895, al
| though he has since changed his views.
He believes in the initiative and the
referendum and in state and federal con-
troll of public utilities.
Mr.. Smith, who will be his opponent for
the senatorshfp, was elected to the United
States Senate by the New jersey legis-
lature In 1893, after a bitter campo. gn,
during which charges were made of
| treachery to Gov. Abbot, who had expect
ed the nomination.
| When he came to the Senate the demo-
Gratis were in control Of both branches
Of Congress. Grover Cleve. and had been
| elected President on platform of tariff
reform and the Wilson tariff bill, which
in a measure carried out the platform
pledges. passed the House.
Cleveland Refused to Sign.
When the bill reached the Senate,
Smith Of New Jersey, Brice Of Ohio,
German OF Maryland. Murphy of New
York and Mcpherson Of New Jersey,
headed combination which rewrote
many OF the schedules, putting In higher
duties. Grover Cleveland refused to
sign the bill and it became a law with
out his signature. Cleveland, in his ia
nous letter to my Dear Catchings," de-
nounced the tariff bill as an ''act of per-
fldy and dishonor.''
In New York the senatorshp is still in
the air. Persistent reports are current
that William F. Sheehan will be chosen
Mayor Gaynor's friends, however declar-
ed yesterday that the mayors influence
with Charles F. Murphy will be cast for
Edward NJ. Shepard. Daniel F. Cohalan
| Is in the running also as the choice of the
| rank and Ale Of Tammany
| Tammany interest in the senatorshin is
| intense. If the democrats should elect
the President in 1912 the senator from
! New York would have the disnenSino of