Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-10-04
HAD
THEIR OWN WAY
Democrat State Convention
Was Most Democratic Ses-
sion Held in New Jersey.
WILSON FIRM LEADERSHIP
Governor Himself Defeats
an Effort to Endorse Him
for the Presidency.
FIRM LEADERSHIP
(F'rom the NEWS CORRESPONDENT

tFyors the NEWS Correspondent
Trenton, Oct. 4.--The first Demo-
crat state convention held under the
deran law was paradox. 1t was
the most democratic convention ever
held In this state. Every action that
marked its proceedings was carried
out in the most open and above
board manner, the delegates being
given complete opportunity to re-
cord themselves both by voice and
by vote. And yet, no convention was
ever held in New Jersey that was SO
thoroughly dominated by one man as
this assemblage. Governor Wood
row Wilson was the big and influ-
ential figure of the convention.
There was not yestige of opposi-
tion to any of the ideas advanced by
him, except In two minor paragraphs
considered In the preparation of a
platform.
Old Time Leaders Absent.
The convention was remarkable in
the fact that less than a corporal's q
guard Of the old time Democratic
leaders of the state attended as spec
tators. James r. Nugent, the right
political bower of former Senator
James Smith, Jr., OF Newark, came
down from Newark with the Essex
county assembly delegation. He
hung about the fringe OF spectators
at the opening of the convention but
did not remain to see the real bust
ness conducted under the new order
of things. Nugent professed aston
ishment when he was advised Just
before the convention convened that
Governor Wilson had not yet pre-
pared platform, and would not do
50 until every opportunity had been
given to hear those who had sugges-
tions to make.
New Precedent Established.
A new precedent was established
by the convention when the commit
tee on permanent organization, OF
which Senator Fielder, of Hudson.
was chairman, declined to make any
recommendations, and asked that a
presiding officer be chosen by direct
vote OF the delegates. Under this
rule the convention chose Assembly
man Thomas Martin, of Hudson, as
permanent chairman. Martin was
one of the Democrat legislators who
last winter refused To fnIlaw tho
leadership OF Governor Wilson In.
EfrsS eTIarrrIaI tTeh to the
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Jersey City, gave Martin clean bill
of health politically.
Wilson For the Presidency.
The determination Of large
number Of the delegates to bring
about an endorsement OF Mr. wilson
as candidate for the presidency
put the governor In an embarrassing
position for a few minutes. Al
though the convention seemed to be
a unit In favor of the proposition,
not even the Essex county assembly
delegation, who are supposed to be
under the domination of Nugent, the
avowed political arch enemy of the
governor. made move against the
resolution which had been offered
by Assemblyman Egan, of Hudson,
contrary to the wishes of the gov
ernor.
AssemhIyman Egan's resolution,
offered In the closing minutes of the
convention read:
Resolved. That we, the members
of the Democratic state convention
do hereby endorse the Hon. Wood
row Wilson for the Democratic NOM
ination for President of the United
State OF America
Wilson Moves TO Table It.
Governor Wilson was on his feet
instantly. but was prevented from
being heard for couple of minutes
by the heavy cheering that followed
the reading of the resolution. In a
most serious tone the governor said:
II appreciate that the resolution
which has just been offered Is con-
ceived in great generosity. But, Mr..
Chairman, shall take the liberty of
moving that it be laid on the table.
The business of this convention is
distinctly marked out by the pri-
mary and elections law passed at
the last session of the Legislature,
which is confined by that law to the
adoption of platform as a body
of Democrats In New Jersey. 1t,
moreover, provides for the express
sion of the people of New Jersey, not
In convention assembled, but at their
primaries, for the Presidential nom
nation. While / realize that this
resolution may be taken as an ex-
preston of confidence by the gentle
men who vote for 1t, nevertheless
feel that we would be making mis-
take to make this use of this con-
vention when we have provided SO
much more appropriate means of
finding out the preference Of the peo-
Pile with regards to national affairs
So enter my earnest but respect
full protest to this motion and move
that the resolution lie on the table. :"
Mr.. Egan declared that he hoped
the request OF the governor would
not be acceded to, and that the reso-
luton would re adopted. 81 know
that practically every delegate In
this convention Is In hearty accord
with it," he declared
Senator Fielder Backs Governor.
II looked for moment as IL the
gove4$or would stand alone In his
desire to be saved from the action
OF his enthusiastic friends, bat be-
fore the convention was asked to
determine the fate OF this. resolution.
Senator Fielder, Of Hudson, came to
HIS aid II need hardly say that
there Is no man who sits in this con
ventton WIG 3 more heartily In ac-
cord with this resolution than am q,
declared the senator. Nevertheless.
think the governors wishes should