The Detroit times., 1911-11-15
BOSSES AND DOODLE BEAT
GOVERNOR WILSON, BUT He
HAD POPULAR MAJORITY
Every Old-Line Politician In
New Jersey Waged Fight
Against Him.
FEARS HIS POPULARITY.
Fearless Stand For Reform
Does Not Meet With Appro-
val From Reactionaries.
FEARS HIS POPULARITY

TRENTON, N. j., Nov. 15.-In the
first state campaign conducted in New
Jersey without lavish use OF money
in 20 years Gov. Woodrow Wilson lost
the state assembly to the Republicans
"a TO 26. Reactionaries the country
over are calling IL population" of
Wilson.
The latest campaign which over
turned rock-ribbed Republican New
Jersey cost the Democratic organiza-
tion $150,000 This year the Wilson
assembly campaign cost 500.
Two years ago the Democratic boss
es backed Wilson for governor. He
was thought to be right With the
organization behind him, his personal
popularity was enough to win him a
majority of $4,000 votes in state
normally Republican by about that
figure.
This year every boss in New Jer-
sey stood shoulder to shoulder
against the governors ticket. The
Democrats, Jim Smith,, of NNewark;;
Ross, OF New Brunswick; Dolan, OF
Sussex county; Gallagher, of Mercer
county; and Gourley, OF Patterson,
joined with the Republican bosses.
Baird, OF Camden; Voorhees,, Of Nor
ristown, and Sam Dickenscn, who die
tates Republican politics in Jersey
City.
Every public service corporation in
the state backed the bosses in their
fight against Gov. Wilson.
And at that, 1000 Democratic votes.
properly spread over the state, would
have carried the Wilson legislative
ticket. The Democratic popular vote
was in the majority.
The gain of one county ESSEX con-
trolIed by Wilson's implacable enemy,
Boss Smith, OF Newark, would have
given Wilson the legislature by IA.
The Smith gang was sent TO the
polls with instructions 10 knife the
Democratic legislative ticket. The
Essex county Democratic ticket car
ried. But the normal Republican ma
Jority of $4,000 was ccut TO $500 by
Wilson's assembly candidates.
II years ago the Democratic
bosses supported Wilson for govern
or. He was thought to be safe. Once
; IN office he speedily dfsiiiusioned the
bosses.
His first act was to make a mortal
and dictator of state Democratic pol
itics. Wilson insisted that his legis-
lature elect MartinL, the popular pri-
mary choice, TO the United States SEN
ate. Smith coveted this honor for
himself.
Even then the other municipal
bosses of the state might have got
along with the governor. But VIII
son forced through the legislature
radical election bill which refers TO
direct primaries OF the people the
nomination OF all officers, including
delegates TO national conventions.
This sheared the bosses of their pow
er to name candidates, and made
every one Of them Wilson's personal
enemy.
The governor then pushed through
a corrupt practices act which effectu-
ally prevents the use OF money TO car
~ elections. This bill added the pubs
lie service corporations TO his list OF
enemies.
And yet the fight he made, without
money and without the "organiza-
tions" nearly won.
The Democratic popular majority
in the state was approximately 25,OOO.
Out of II county sheriffs elected 10
were Democrats.
That is the story of Gov. Wilson's
"repudiation." 1t was the unflnanced
fight of one man with shining rec
ord for popular government against
the corporation-backed bosses and all
they stand for. And the governor
almost won-