New-York tribune., 1910-12-10
JERSEY SENATE WAR ON
James Smith. Jr.. Throws Down
Gage to Woodrow Wilson.
CALLS STATEMENT BlUNOER
Governor Elects Stand for Mar
tine Deplored by State
Chairman Nugent.

Trenton. Dec 9-The statement made by
former senator James Smith. jr. CONCERN
ing the open declaration against his caudi-
dGcy for United States Senator BY Cow
eTnCr Wilson. last night had little effect on
Or. Wilson. who. after reading the charges
made by Mr.. Smith merely laughed and re-
marked that such statement needs no
comment"
When asked whether he would Stump tbs
state for MARITIME. 1T Wilson said that he
rad no such intention now. but that h.
didrt know what might result during the
next few weeks.
GovernOr-eIect left no doubt of his feelings
toward Mr. Wilson and presaged a con-
been seen in New Jersey Mr. Smith says
have read Csovernor-elact Wilson'S
statement on the United states Senatorial
situation The statement is rernarkable
tack upon one who has befriended him. bur
whose candidacy has not been announced.
and IL is an unwarranted attempt TO coerce
the Legislature. The Governor-elecr knev
that | had not reached decision IN this
important matter. That he saw MT 70 MAKE
an uncaIIed for reference TO me 6eprtveA
his act Of that fine courtesy which shouId
control not only Southern gentlemen ouc
the conduct of all gentlemen
DIR. Wilson will attempt. probaolys 70 ce-
fend his statement on the ground that ic
Is not the utterance of a Clovernor-sIect.
but the voice Of new leader II VIII %
which separates the two In either view
his act lacks comu1endatory quality. IrS
unfairness is so manifest that II will come
a a shock 20 the great body of the people
A bove all things. the American public loves
fair play. The Governor-elect has given
striking evidence OF his aptitude IN the art
of foul play Gratitude was not expected
of him, but fairness was, and his act denies
The statement purports to give the views
o. the people Mr.. Wilson claims 70 6e
their spokesman He Is apparently 600
modest as yet 10 claim leadership.
what the people want except as they sx~
pressed themselves at the primary.
ballots for the legislative candidates -
expressed a preference for United Sr1fee
Senator. This great body OF voters asksh
no pledge Of the candidates Ihey re-
ceived none The legislators go into once
as the representatives OF all the people
Three-fourths Of the legislauve suppor-
have the men thus elected recognize =
law which seeks to evade the Consuru-
interest inter iV of tie the vast vast body OF voters be-
cause one-fourth have expressed = pref-
erence- He overlooks the fact that only
one member OF the incoming LegisiAfure
agreed TO be bound by the primary vo<e
He gives no thought 20 the refusal OF
the legislators TO deal with the r1asser
tice to all He evidently believes tina: tbs
practices he once condemned Of dangling
patronage before hungry COHSlluenSy
may give 70 his position a support which
fairness denies it
His reasons when a1alyZed cease TO be
reasons They merely excuses for An
act which marks his initial step as Gov
ernor-eIect with worse than a blunder-
with assault that is neither fair nor
honorable
James Nugent chairman OF the Derocraffc
State Cor~nittee also issued statement
"Governor-eIect Wilson's statement has
amazed me-" said Mr. Nugent- 1T threat
ems the sacrifice Of many important party
reforms The duty of our party embraces
| many issues The choice OF United States
/ Senator is one. but it IS not the most i'm
I portant. We are pledged 70 a rate making
/ 10 equalization of taxes and other matters
! Or Wilson was elected upon this platform
, so were the members of the Legislature
| Az chairman Of the Democratic State COM
mittee I say that II is now our solemn
duty to perform our pledges
ITO accomplish this We need a united
PARTY Every well vtsher OF the party viii
Geplore dissension that may weaken US.
Dr. wilson's act is certainl i'll advised. II
Is creating 2 controversy that is needless
and harmful and giving 70 il an i'm
portance which it does not deserve
Robert Davis. of Hudson County, was
credited this afternoon with having
loined in the controversy by coming out In
no uncertain terms for the selection %
Smith. At his home in Jersey city last
night he denied that he had MADE any
. statement