Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-11-22
WOODROW WILSON AS A LEADER

his declaration when on the stunt
he has been chosen leader of hi
party, It Is hard to sec how he cal
keep out Of the Senatorial fight yer.
long. AS Governor, it must be ad
mitted that the election OF a United
States Senator is none of his bust
ness. 1t is clearly a matter for the
Legislature to decide. AS party
leader, however, Mr.. Wilson viii
have a great deal to say, and a wist
leader will say it quick, and USE
what influence a party leader cal
legitimately bring to bear to accom-
plish what is best for his party, con.
sistant with the welfare Of the state
which must always come first.
There is no doubt that the people
intended Mr.. Wilson TO assume the
leadership of the party, If the
voters thought that Jim" Smith and
Jim" Nugent were to continue to
run things with the same high hand,
it is doubtful if the Democratic can
| didate could have been elected. With
the memory of the "same old gang, V
and with the actions of the Demo-
cratic majority of 1907 still fresh
| the voters were in no mood to give
the same leaders the control of the
government, as bad as the present
Republican bosses are known to be.
With a man of Woodrow Wilson's
calibre, however, the situation be-
came different. He arose above the.
mere tool of a set of bosses, or even
of one boss. The candidate him
self was a man of national promi-
nence, and the people put their con-
fidence in him.
That this confidence was not mis-
placed became more and more evil
dent as the campaign advanced,
Those who were still doubtful were
convinced when Mr.. Wilson wrote
that letter replying to George L..
Record. Then, when in his speeches
he stated that he understood at the
time he gave his consent to have his
name used in connection with the
nomination, that he was to be leader
of the party, and If the Democratic
party did not so understand it, the
party should defeat him, he hit the
popular chord in all sections of the
State, especially among Democrats.
They not only wanted a Governor
who would be Governor himself, but
they wanted a leader in whom they
could put confidence.
1t is now time for Mr.. Wilson to
assert his leadership. 1t cannot
help but be more or less embarrass-
ing to have James Smith, Jr., hang
as if he expected Mr.. Wilson to
back on his word. Everyone will
admit that Mr.. Smith was largely in
strumental in having Mr.. Wilson
nominated. But he certainly must
have known what he was doing. He
could hardly have expected to handle
a man of Mr.. Wilson's standing as he
would handle any ordinary politician
aspiring to craftsmanship. If he did
entertain Any such illusion, Mr.. Will
sons words on the stump. ought to
have opened his eyes. The candi-
date gave fair warning and told the
party to defeat him if his program
did not suit them. Judging from
the significant omission of these
warnings in Mr.. Smiths newspaper,
it is probable that he would like to
have Withdrawn his choice for the
nomination then, but ii. was too late.
Mr.. Wilson is either leader of his
party or he is not. He said he would
be leader If elected. He said ne
would reorganize the party. Here
is his opportunity. The old leader
and the old organization are the
reactionaries. The people want the
Democratic party progressive. 1t has
got to be progressive if it is going to
remain in power.
James MARITIME, who received over
5000 Democratic votes at the re-
cent primary for United States Sem
ator, is a progressive in every n
of the word. He is a man OF the
people, The Democratic party could