Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-16
SMITH ISSUES MS RE-
PLY TO WILSON AGAIN

now continuing ne declared;
"The Democratic Legislators were
supported by approximately 214,00O
voters. That support was given at the
close of q long campaign, during which
my candidaey, although unannounced,
was made the dominant issue by the op.
posing party, and silently assented to
by DIR. Wilson. Now he reads in the
result approval of himself sad disap-
prevail of me.
He has as much right to claim lead
ersbip by that vote se I have to claim
the support of those thou sands of vot-
ers. But that is not my claim. That
vast vote was cast for Democratic leg
~islators who now constitute the -major-
ity on joint ballot. They were elect
ed unpledged. Approximately 1876, 900
voters had faith in the free Judgment
of the Legislators.
"My plea is that the minority pri-
mary vote should not be permitted to
obscure the legislators duty to the ma
jority. The view most people assent
to. DIR. Wilson win use the election
figures to point an argument that is
unfair, but he viii not ses that their
very use antagonize his sacred regard
for the small primary vote.
"But that vote, he now asserts, has
since been supplemented by public
opinion. Is there any doubt as to how
that s~sopinion' was createdf DIR. Will
son will soon take Office as Governor.
The power of his patronage has UNI
doubtedly shaped sentiment, and it is
to be regretted that this ~is-scrfn pri
waite he has exhorted- In public he has
pleaded, and for WHAT That x mi.
nority choice ct the prinaaryHtAy be
made ths majority choice. It Is rather
singular that he should find encourage
ment which he has thus created
HHow ruinous to consistency is the
deadly PARALLEL said Mr.. Smith. HIf
has unmasked many Importers DIR.
Wilson is preaching a certain doctrine
in the Senatorial controversy. He does
not claim divine inspiration. No call
has been sent him that he is regarded
as the new hope,' but swhispsrings'
from within and without a fertile cen
science, murmuring alluringly to in
suitable ambition, have created . vol
unteer. Some marvel at his righteous
ness; others appreciate his dexterity.''
Mr.. Smith then goes on:
Cdr. Wilson's present view may be
summarized as follows: The primary
law created an obligation of compell-
ing force. The electors at the primary
solemnly decided not only who was to
go to the United States Senate, but.
more important questions. A statute
was vitalized, a great principle was
evolved.
stThese are assumptions not facts
They roll smoothly from the tongue,
tut they recede when confronted by
.eason- They are swept back by the
proof that we have a constitu-
ion as yet u~namended, which tran
cends all state laws; that the primary
aw, a feeble measure at best, has for
to main purpose the binding of legis-
ators in Senatorial selections by in
iting them to make pledges. The in
was declined, the c~andidates1
q free hand. Thus acted the
gislators. The people treated the
utter as IL was then generally re-
rded--indiferently. Al minority exs
sssed a preference who had refused
"fhis would bY@ent proof inI
priasafSs ssttlssdd 10
eat issues, because none were involv-
L DR.. Wilson proves this. At
ridgeton, ON October z, he said:
We're the primaries contested on the
round of great public questionsf No;
holly on the ground Of . personal
Z
SIN the last campaign the foregoing
tatement is the only reference made
y DR.. Wilson to the primary choiee
4 a United States Senator. His view,
hen spoken, after the result was
snown, shows how profound and deep
'euted 10 his present creed.
cdr. Wilson's effort in the Senator.
IL c-oatToss1ss as se.1ar nas ABOUT
Ipent ITSELF said Mr.. Smith aAfter
Tuesday, as Governor, he may try to
1t. Lest he may falter in his
sonrse let me quote from his speech
1t Trenton on October 3. There he
said.
It is immoral to bring the pressure
patronage to bear upon the Legisla.
ture. It is immoral to try to under
the influence of individual rep
resentatives by going into their dis
tricts and trying to form machines
them. These are methods 10
which no honorable man viii resort. ! ,