The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-06
BY w. G. SHEPHERD.

TRENTON, N. j., May b.-jlm
Smith used to be the Democratic boss
of New Jersey. David r, Baird was
the Republican boss. Between them
they practically owned the state. New
Jersey citizens had to vote for big
interests men" no matter what the
ticket.
Things are different now The state
has been taken away from the two
bosses. Some people say that Wood
row Wilson did 1t.
Woodrow Wilson told me the people
did it.
Wilson OF Princeton university II he
would run for governor. Smith want
ed one decent man on his ticket.
Il will, II you'll give me a free
hand and If you'll consider me the
head OF the Democratic party in New
Jersey" replied Wilson.
Sure, we will" said Smith He
thought he was dealing with fogy
college president.
Wilson was elected. The lower
house of the legislature went Demo
cratic, too. Everybody knows how
Wilson forced the Democrats to elect
James Z. MARITIME senator, despite
Boss Smiths desire for the toga, by
direct appeal to the people.
Then Wilson framed a direct prim-
aries bill. He got Elmer Geran. a
young first-year legislator, to intro
duce it. Wilson has had TO deal al
most entirely through frst-year men
/, in the Legislature.
The bill passed Both party gangs
fought 1t at first.
Pass that bill or I'll take the
whole matter before the people" said
Wilson.
Wilson discovered that, way down
deep In their hearts, the bosses had
tremendous fear of the people.
He got Charles Simpson. another
young legislator. to introduce an act
which limits the amount OF money
that any candidate can spend on a
campaign. The limit for governor Is
$4,000, much less for other offices. A
man who spends too much money In
a campaign can be thrown out Of Of
fee and into Jail Wilson had another
terrific fight.
Pass this bill or III go before the
people and make you tell them why
you don't like it, said Wilson.
They passed It.
A Republican commission reported
bill providing for automatic pay
ment by an employer to an injured
employee.
Don't pass It," said the Democrats.
1T will give the Republican campaign
material"
1T will give the working men of
this state their rights and I'm going
to fight for IT," said Wilson, and he
| put II through after a 'tooth-and-naii
scrap.
BY his time Wilson had begun to
win legislators away from their
gangs. John Matthews, for instance.
a Democratic organization leader.
came over.
Wilson got Allan Walsch, a second
year legislator. to introduce bill per-
| hitting cities to adopt commission
government. 1t was called socialistic.
1t provided for the initiative and ref
erendum, and for the recall even OF
judges. 1t aimed to break up city and
county gangs.
| Wilson sent a special message to
! the legislature. Pass 1t or I'll make
you go out before the people and tell
why you turned it down." was the
! gist.
At 3 a. m, on adjournment day,
with Wilson sitting in a nearby room,
the legislature passed the bill.
1T was splendid" said Wilson. IL
threw myself back on the strength of
the people and found that was able
to do any honorable thing"
Wilson wound up with a bill, put
through by young legislator named
Charles Egan, which gives the public
service commission power TO Ak rail-
road rates and provides that physi-
cal valuation shall be made on all