The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-12-09
WILSON OUT FOR MARITIME
As LEADER or ms PARTY M
NAMES I ~ BIIC STATEMENT.
STANDS 10, Result az Primary Vote fer
senator. such ~ u was-His Ultima
tuna 10 Ex-s-aater smith Bvrsk In
democratic Party In New Jersey.


Democratic Party In New Jersey.
TRENTON. y J Dec. s-Governor-
elect Woodrow Wilson crossed the Rubi-
con in politics tonight by declaring that
James r. MARITIME should he elected to
succeed John kean in the United states
senate and that il James Smith. Jr., were
elected he would not go TO Washington
as the representative OF the people OF
New Jersey His declaration was in the
form of signed statement and WAS given
out AT his home in Princeton after its
contents had been carefully considered
The statement follows:
The question who should he chosen
by the incoming Legislature OF the State
10 occupy rhe seat in the senate OF the
United States which will presently he
made vacant by the expiration Of the
term Of MIR kean is Of such vital i'm
portance to tho people of the State. both
a. question Of political good faith and As
a question OF genuine representation in
the Senate. that I feel constrained to ex-
press my own opinion with regard To II
in terms which cannot be misunderstood.
had hoped that It would not be necessary
for me to speak. but II il
Il realize the delicacy OF taking any
part in the discussion of the matter. A.
Governor of New Jersey shall have no
part in the choice OF Senator. Legally
speaking. il is not my duty even 20 give
advice with regard TO the choice. But
there are other duties besides legal dut lee.
The recent campaign has put me in an
unusual position. | offered II elected to
he the political spokesman and adviser
OF the people. | even asked the voters
who did not care 10 make their choice
OF Governor upon that understanding
not to vote for me | believe that the
choicewas made upon that understa nding.
and | cannot escape the responsibility
involved have no desire to escape il.
II il my duty To say. with full sense Of
the peculiar responsibility Of my position.
what I deem il 10 he the obligation Of the
Legislature TO do in this gravely i'm
portant matter.
I know that the people of New Jersey
do not desire Mr. James Smith. Jr to he
sent again to the Senate. II ne should he
he will not go as their representative
The only means have Of knowing whom
they desire to represent them is the vote
at the recent primaries. where 5000
Democratic voters, a majority OF the
whole number who voted AZ the primaries,
declared their preference for Mr.. MARITIME
OF Union county. For me that vote IL
conclusive. think IL should be for
every member OF the Legislature Abso-
Lutte good faith in dealing with the people.
an unhesitating fidelity to every principle
avowed is the highest Law Of political
morality under q constitutional govern
ment
The Democratic party has been gwen
a majority i'm the Legislature: the Demo-
cratic voters OF the state have expressed
their preference under a law advocated
and supported by the opinion Of their
party declared alike in platforms and
in enacted law Ii ia clearly the duty
OF every Democratic legislator who would
keep faith with the law Of tho State and
with the avowed principles u his party
10 vote for Mr.. MARITIME II is my duty
20 advocate his election. TO urge il by
Mr. Wilson's unqualified de claration
for MARITIME followed n conference he
had with Mr.. Smith at the latters home
IN Newark on Tuesday evening, at which
the Governor elect urged Mr. Smith 20
remove himself from the contest and 20
come out in support OF Mr.. MARITIME
When argument and persuasion failed
to move Mr. Smith Mr. Wilson informed
him that unless he retired a. a candidate
wit hin forty eight hours h. would come
out publicly for the election Of Mr.. Mar
tine Mr. Wilson had already conferred
with a number OF the Democratic mem
bers Of the next Legislature and had
urged them TO support MARITIME a. the
choice OF the primaries
Even though the attitude OF the Gov
ernor- elect was known Il was scarcely
that he would go 40 far a. 20
say that the people of New Jersey did
no, wish Smith to represent them in the
Senate. but that they did wish MARITIME.
II had been generally recognized that
the primaries IN 20 far az the Demo-
cratic candidates for the United States
senate were involved were a farce and
that q large part of the MARITIME vote
was cast for him a. n choice for the lesser
Of Swo evils
Intimate friends Of Mr.. Smith were in
formed to-day that "a statement favorable
20 MARITIME was imminent. They were
also told that no -tltement which the
Governor. elect might make would In any
way influence the position assumed by
Mr. smith. unless IL should he to hasten
from him "A statement that he desires to
be elected TO his old place in the United
Sta te- senate. That the Wilson statement
means final break between the Gov ernor-
elect and the wing ~ the Democratic
party represented by Mr.. Smith seems
apparent The effect OF the break Is
more probismatical.
Mr. Wilson has the advantlg &c of term
before him ~ Governor with all the power
and prestige of that office. On the other
hand. he lacks experience in pra ctical
politics. in which Mr. Smith in an expert
without peer IN the STATE. In addition
Their. Ia not county in which the Demo
cratic organization does not owe debt
10 Mr. smith. who was the supporter Of
his party in It's darkest years. A. a con-
.a1uence Mr. smith has hundreds OF