The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-12-10
DEMOCRATS SPLIT
wilson Opposes Smith for
u. 5. Senator.
ISSUES AN UlTlMATUM
Governor. Elect Will Tour the State
TO Learn Sentiment - Smith
Claims to be the Logical
Candidate.

Newark. N. j., Dec. 9. 49, An oper
breach in the ranks OF the New jersey
De- ocracy, which has just come in,'
power after a lapse OF eighteen years
is threatened as the result OF par'I
differences over the selection OF
Ui ted States senator to succeed JohI
Kean, Republican.
II was announced in Newark by the
friends Of former United States Sena
tor James Smith. Jr.. that he must be
REGARDED as the logical candidate fol-
the Office. This statement. following OF
the heels of the announcement tina
Governor-elect Wilson has issued al
ultimatum to Mr.. Smith that he mus
abide by the selection of James L
MARITIME. the choice of the Democratic
primaries, has precipitated a crisis
that viii be carried into the state leg
islature.
. DR.. Wilson will fight Mr. Smith tC
the limit He has declared that he Is
working to avert a breach in the party
ranks. but that breach is now neces
sary. In this event he will take
course that is believed to be move. In
asmuch as he will visit every county
in the state in order to learn public
sentiment on the senatorial situation.
Wilson's Statement.
Mr.. Wilson's statement follows:
THE question who should be chosen
by the incoming legislature of th'
state to occupy the seat in the United
States senate which will presently be
made vacant by the expiration Of thS
term of Mr. Kean. is OF such vital i'm
portance to the people OF the state
both as a question OF political goOC
faith and as a question OF genuine
representation in the senate. that
feel constrained to express my opinion
with regard to it in terms which can
not be misunderstood
Il realize the delicacy of taking any
part in the discussion of the matter
AS governor of New Jersey | shall
have no part in the choice Of sena
tor Legally speaking, 1t is not my duty
even to give advice with regard L
the choice But there are other duties
besides legal duties. The recent cam
paign has put me in an unusual posi-
ton. | offered. If elected. TO be the
political spokesman and adviser of the
people. | even asked the voters whC
didn't care to make their choice Of
governor upon that understanding moi
to vote for me | believe that this
choice was made upon that under
standing, and cannot escape the re
sponsibility involved. have no desire
to escape from it.
q know that the people of New Jer
sey do not desire Mr.. James Smith, Jr-
TO be sent again TO the senate. If h,
should be. he will not go as their rep
/ reaentative. The only means have
OF knowing what they desire to repre-
sent them is the vote at the recent
primaries. where $4,000 Democratic
voters. a majority of the whole mum
per WHO NOltu dl the ~ luidii VS. "
clared their preference for Mr.. Mar
tine, of Union county. Absolute good
faith in dealing with the people and
an unhesitating fidelity to every prin
ciple avowed. is the highest law Of po
litical morality under a constitutions
government. The Democratic party
has been given a majority in the leg
islature; the Democratic 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 is clearly the duty Of every Demo
cratic legislator who would keep faith
with the law of the state and with the
avowed principles Of his party TO vote
for Mr.. MARITIME 1t is my duty to ad
vocate his election and to urge il by
every honorable means at my com
mand"