Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-12-16
WILSON ASKED
TO BARTER On
SEHAT0RSHIP
Offered Illinois Support in
1912 If He Wouldn't 0p-
pose Smith, 1t Is Said.
GOVERN0R-ELECT REJECTS
SUCH PROPOSAL

The Newark Evening News last
night published an article telling of
what virtually amounts to a bribe
that was offered to Governor-elect
Wilson If he would stop his opposi-
tion to the election of James Smith,
Jr., to the United States senate. The
article which was published in the
Newark News is as follows:
That an attempt was made recent
ly to have Governor-elect Wilson en-
ter into barter for the Presidential
nomination in 1912-a barter that
would have affected the Democratic
party in New Jersey, Illinois and
Ohio--was told of today.
All that was wanted from Wilson,
according to the story, which was re-
lated in financial circles in New
York, was to give his support to the
candidacy of former United States
Senator James Smith, Jr., to succeed
John Kean in the upper house of the
national Legislature.
If he had agreed, it was promised
that at the next national Democratic
convention he would obtain the sup
port of the entire delegation from
Illinois. Ohio was affected in that
it was said the Illinois vote is at
present intended for Governor Jud-
son Harmon, of Ohio. No scruples
were evidenced, however, in pledg-
ing It to Mr.. Wilson
The making of the proposition Is
construed as proof that big interests,
interests of national Importance, are
or have been, back of Mr.. Smiths
'candidacy.
Great as was the temptation,
Mr.. Wilson summarily turned down
the proposition. The proffer, 1t Is
said, came from Roger Sullivan. the
Democratic leader of Illinois. 1t
was not made by him personally, but
through couple Of Intermediates.
Not only is Mr. Wilson reported to
have refused the proposal, but he is
said to have done so with such pow
erful emphasis that Su1livans ennis
saries regretted that they had any
share In presenting it to the New
Jersey man. They found his char
acter entirely different from the
usual politicians.
Exactly how Sullivan came to
make the proposal is not known, but
the inference Is taken that Mr.. Smith
had sought the Illinois mans assist
anee in the New Jersey struggle to
prevent recognition of the direct pri-
mary principle and the election of
James E. MARITIME to the senate. AS
a result of the New York story, the
deduction is made that the recent
trip Of Mr.. Smith to Washington, os-
TN hi hAalth ha
been more to consult political spe-
cialists than medical men.
The offer to Mr.. Wilson Is said to
have been made while he was in Chi
cago recently. The Princeton man
made an engagement over the tel
ephone for himself and a compan-
ion, without letting Mr.. Wilson
know what 1t was for. The matter
was presented In the attractive man
nsr that its Importance merited.
Mr.. Wilson was informed that
Sullivan favored Harmon as the next
Democratic candidate for President,
but that IL Mr.. Wilson would not
prevent Mr. Smith from going back
to the senate, Mr. Sullivan would
swing the Illinois vote for the New
Jersey man.
What passed through Mr.. Wilson 8
mind, only he himself could tell, but
his reply to the offer was made In
such manner as to let the tempters
understand that he would not toler-
ate any argument about the matter.
1t was quoted as being In effect
about as follows:
mot for forty Presidential nomi-
nations would I enter into such a
deal. Tell Mr.. Sullivan that IL / can
not get the nomination-if / should
be a candidate for tin an honor
able way and On my merits, would
not touch 1t. told the people Of
New Jersey for what l stood, and
told them / was under no obliga-
tions to any big interests or politi-
cal machine for the nomination, and
If I should become candidate for
President it would be on exactly the
same terms"