Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1911-01-12
Need But s More
Votes to Win
Election.
IN HUDSON co.
Especial Correspondence. ]


Especial Correspondence.
Trenton, Jan. 12-Now that death
has stilled the hand of Robert Davis
who has for many years dominated
the Hudson county Democratic orr
ganization, the strength of Janet
Smith, Jr., as a candidate for thu
United States senate, has waned ii
such degree that even he now reaf
Lies that he is pursuing hopelessl1
the ambition to succeed John Kean.
On the other hand, 1t is generallJ
acknowledged that unless there arr
some remarkable changes In th{
present legislative lineup between
now and January "a, when the sena.
torial election takes place, James II,
Marines direct primary candidacy
will be ratified by the Democratic
legislators.
A careful canvass of the Democra-
tic members at the opening of tha
legislature ON Tuesday Indicates that
II showdown OF votes were made
at present there would be at least
thirty-fve who would take stand
in support of DR.. Wilson's demand
that the primary vote be acquiesced
in, This leaves six votes to be gain
ed to make up the necessary fortw
one to control the election in Joint
session of the legislature. AS all
ready known, Mr.. Smith only has
ten of the fifty-one Democrats
pledged to his candidacy At least
two of these men are expected to "a
over to the support of DR.. Wilson
before the time of holding the Joint
session. Calculating on this basis, Ii
will be necessary for only four Of
the. legislators now in doubt to yield
to the influences of the governors
elect to insure the election OF Mr..
MARITIME on the first ballot.
The Democratic legislators from
Warren and Sussex counties have
not yet declared themselves on the
senatorial subject, but they have
been classed as being favorable to
Mr. Smith. 1t now develops that the
Warren and Sussex men are WaNar.
ins an g.g|
art ssssszsssss h
they syStw seriously dabafin
among themselves the question B
! notifying the former senator tha
they cannot see their way clear /.
support him.
Advices received today at this
State House from, Jersey City convey
assurances tGat before DR.. Wilson Is
tnaugurated as governor of New Jer-
sey he will find the Hudson county
organization In line with him on the
senatorship. The death of Davis has
removed the only important assist
ance Mr.. Smith had In Hudson coun-
ty. A sense of loyalty and affections
ate personal regard for Davis, which
was Intensified somewhat By the faex
of the serious fitness to which he.
was subjected, were the chief causes
of some of the Hudson county Demo-
cratic politicians supporting Smith
With these men 1t was a case OF
wanting to aid and uphold the old
time boss rather than having any
admiration for the Essex man that
has kept them out of the Maritime
Wilson camp. These considerations
are now wiped out by the passing
away of Davis.
So far as popular sentiment was
concerned, there has not been a
doubt at any time but that the Hud-
son county Democracy was earnestly
in sympathy with the stand taken by
DR.. Wilson. The fact that nine OF
the Democratic Legislative delegation
from that county have publicly de-
eiared against the expressed wish of
Davis on the senatorial subject, was
striking evidence OF the unpopuiarity
of Smith in Jersey City, Hoboken
and Bayonne.
Friends of the dead boss are now
telling the story that the promise to
support Smith for senator, which the
former declared before his death he
made last June. was obtained by the
Essex man by threatening to help
Mayor Wittpenn against Davis In the
political battles which have been
yaged in Jersey City In the last year
Or two. 1t Is well known thai the
possibility Of Mayor Wittpenn get
ting control of the Democratic or-S
ganization was genuine political
bug-a-bear to Davis. Last Summer
Mayor Wittpenn- and his political
lieutenants were preparing for d
stiff fight against the leadership OF
Davis. Former Senator Smith, 70
the story goes, made one or two
moves that indicated to Davis that
be (Smith) might throw his influ-