Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-10

EDITORIAL COMMENT ON DIR. WILSON'S
"CONSTITUTION-SMA CRUSADE

FOLLOWING are some extracts
taken from New York and
Philadelphia newspapers Of
today, commenting upon the New
Jersey senatorial situation
From the Philadelphia Public
Ledger:
The ground on which MARITIME has
suddenly become the only available
man is to be found in the almost
superstitious reverence which is
now paid to the primary idea.
Scarcely man in New Jersey
imagined when the primaries were
held that the Democrats would con-
troll the Legislature and elect
Senator. No attention was given In
the State to the subject. Mr.. Mar
tine, who had long been Demo-
cratic swar horse" had his name
placed on the ticket as a senatorial
aspirant; another man, srotesquely
unfit, did the same. and MARITIME
received a primary vote OF about
40, 600. Wilson's vote on election day
was 233, ,6S2. MARITIME was the lead
ing man in the primary, and now
it is gravely contended that II the
new Democratic administration is
to redeem it's pledges TO abide by
the popular will generally the party
is committed beyond recall to the
support of MARITIME, whether he is
good, bad or Indifferent.
II IL to be noted that the MEM
bers of the Legislature could have
signed a statement under the pri-
mary act pledsinE themselves 10
abide by the results of the primary.
They did not do SO. Nobody paid
any attention to the subject. The
members of the Legislature did not
make their campaign with reference
to the subject at all and therefore
they cannot be held to be bound by
any pledge, direct or indirect, to
place MARITIME IN the Senate. The
obligation which they are assumed
to rest under appears to be that
vague and general duty TO regard
the party's declaration Of faith that
it Is in favor of primaries and popu-
lar rule, and that, at the first op-
portunity. 1t will take steps to
change the Constitution of the
United States so that the senators
may be elected by popular vote
The members OF the Legislature
have a right, however. which is de-
hnea by a mandate of the Federal
Constitution. to the effect that they
and they nlone shall elect senatOrs.
The question now is, shall they ab-
-dicate that power and do that which
they believe in their hearts to be
absurd and inimical to the interests
of their state and nation. JUST be-
cause 1t is thought to be politically
expedient that their party shall be.
s,ayishIy sabservient to sbibboieth
Of the day, or even because MIR. VIII
son wishes MARITIME chosen for that
purposef
Mr.. Wilson excites high hopes and
inspires pretty broad general con-
findence in his wisdom, as well as in
his right intent, but 1t Is not his
function to choose United States
senator's. He may cherish pious
wishes in that regard and give ad-
vice, but, sitter NIL, the duty rests
upon the members of the Legisis-
ture.
It is contended for them that they
are under an implied pledge to sup
port the primary nominee because
the party stands for popular rule,
In this instance mere snap
judgment was taken and the mem
bers of the Legislature were not
consulted and not pledged. WHAT
ever may be the vague suggestion
from the people in that ridiculous
primary. 1t is to be noted that the
members of the Legislature have
an absolute right under the con-
stitution to exercise their free will
and best judgment, and that this
right is transformed into a solemn