The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-22
WILSON TO SWING
WESTERN CIRCUIT
New Jersey Governor to Get
Acquainted" With
People
WINS. SWEEPING
REFORMS IN JERSEY
Ovecomes Powers That Prey
in "Skeeter" State, With
Two Machines Against
Him

TRENTON. n. j., April e..
Elated over jamming through an
Indifferent legislature sweep
ing program of reform. which
almost out-Orcg0ned Oregon,
Governor Wilson to-day nnnounc-
ed his plans for getting ac-
quainted" swing around the
western circuit Ostensibiy the
trip, which will take him
through the West with especial
attention to the Pacific coast
cities of Seattle, Portland, san
~ Francisco and Los Angeles, ts I'M
drrtakcn TO keep engagements
made some time ago." but the
real reason h to aid the COVER
nOr's promising boom for the
next Democratic presidential
nomination.
The friends OF the governor frank
~ admit the real object OF the trip.
AS showing that he may yet have the
active support OF William j. Bryan.
they say that while en- route tie gov
ernor will stop off at Lincoln and will
be entertained at Fairview by Col
onel Bryan. The trip will occupy a
good part of next month
A Remarkable Record.
Wilson Is admitted to have made
a remarkable record with the legis-
lature which adjourned at 3:tS this
morning. When IL assembled In Jan
uary an attempt was made by the
bosses to repudiate the result OF the
senatorial primary and elect James
Smith. Jr., the Newark banker, United
States senator instead Of James f.
MARITIME. the popular choice. Wilson
stumped the State and routed the
Smith forces. electing MARITIME. Then
he announced that he must have an
Oregon plan primary and election
reform bin. The Republican and
Democratic organizations com hined
against him. but Wilson appealed to
the people with such success that the
bill liz now q law. 1t provides for
the direct nomination and election OF
all officials including the delegates to
national conventions Election officials
are compelled to pass a civil service
examination to display their quail
ficaions. thus preventing the old
game of permitting the machine to
control elections by the use OF the
voting machinery.
Drastic Corrupt Practice Law.
Then a drastic corrupt practice act
was put through which limits the
amount Of money than can be ex-
pended 10y candidates and party or
ganizations and says just what kind
of expenditures are legal and what are
not. This bill liz claimed by its friends
to be the most sweeping ever enacted
in America
An employers liability bill, model
ed along the line Of the English law.
and absolutely eliminating the "fel-
low servant negligence" clause which
has given the big corporations an I'M
fair advantage In all suites by injur-
ed employees came next. This bill is
admittedly much farther reaching in
its effects than the civic federation
measure.
The Legislature then passed "a bill
creating real public utilities com
mission giving II power to make and
enforce rates, TO investigate all alle-
vice corporations of every kind and
generally safeguard the rights OF the
consumer.
Numerous other measures Of a
minor character designed To correct
and Improve existing laws and to
favor personal rights over property
rights were put through and to-day
it is admitted Wilson has absolutely
routed the old line Democratic ma
chine and will head the Democratic
delegation from this State to the
next national convention
Governor Greatly Pleased.
Governor Wilson made no attempt
to hide his pleasure over his success
with his first Legislature to-day. Ask
ed for an expression, he said.
'sThe progressive legislation enact
ed, and now the law Of New Jersey,
constitutes one OF the most remark
able records. l venture TO think, that
Inns ever distinguished single legis-
lative session in this country"
As was expected. the income tax
failed. 1t Was passed by the HOUSE,
but the Republican Senate declined
to ratify II despite the fact that Gov
ernor Wilson sent two messages urg-
ing II TO do so.