The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-10-30
WILSON'S FRIEND
IN State SENATE
New Jersey Governor Failed to
Act In FitzherhGTt Case,
DID NOT END The DISGRACE.

Executives "Ono Track Mind" Got on
a Crooked Curve-Not Only His Own
State, but the Entire United States,
Is Entitled to an Explanation-one
Was Promised Six Months Ago.
Why has Woodrow Wilson, governor
of New Jersey and candidate of the
Democratic party for president of the
United States been suPine, passive and
silent for more than six months in face
of as black legislative scandal as ever
beclOuded the fair fame of sovereign
state? Strike" bills are unhappily not
novelties in state capitals, and If pub
lie impressions are in accord with facts
New Jersey has been a prolific field for
that sort of harvest. The BLACK Horse
cavalry" of Tweed's time were not
more ravenous. according to report,
than some of their latter day imitators
west of the Hudson, and rs many large
corporations have their headquarters or
plants, or both, in New Jersey 1t is not
difficult for the striker to find an easy
mark" for his stand and deliver"
Hardly necessary is it to say that
the victims, as rule, usua X deem it
cheaper to hand over than 70 put up
a fight and 1t might be supposed, there
fore, that monopoIist of official right
eousness. such as Woodrow Wilson
Processes to be, would seize an OPP
portunity not merely offered. but
thrusting itself upon him, for making
an example of the criminals who turn
legislative balls and committee rooms
into denS Of corruption and blackmail.
Herein Woodrow Wilson has utterly
failed TO measure up TO the standard
of conscientious, dare to do right eX-
ecutive Six months aud more have
passed since the senate of New Jersey,
by a vote of II to 8. found Senator
Richard FitZherbert guilty Of an act
inconsistent with the trust and duty Of
a senator in that he had negotiated
for the payment of the sum of $4,000
by the Commercial AcetyIene Company
of New York as Il consideration for the
withdrawal by the said senator of sen. q
ate bills 20 and 10 therefore "
duced by him"
On March u, the day before The vote
convicting Fitzherbert, Governor Will
son said that he was docking into the
testimony" and on March l3 he had
conference with the Democratic SEN
ators and said that he would issue
statement. No statement was then or
has since been forthcoming, although,
to quote from the State Gazette OF
Trenton, from the time that he first
appeared IN the political arena as can
didate for the office Of governor Wood
row Wilson's greatest effort has been
to impress the people of this and other
states with the idea that he is the head
and front of the Democratic party and
the adviser and guide of the people
On March 10, 1912, two days after
l'itzherbert's conviction. Mr.. Oscar II,
Ostby in behalf of the Commercial
Acetylcne company appealed to Cover
nor Wilson to take some action that
would put an end to the public sean
dal aud the menace TO legitimate busi-
ness involved in the presence of man
with I'itzherbert's proved record In the
senate of New Jersey. Governor Will
son replied under date of March 20: 81
quite agree with what you say as to
the extreme seriousness of the Fltz-
herbert incident shall certainly try
by every means within my power to
see that no matter Of this kind is COW
cred or condOned.'
And that, more than six months ago,
was the last Of 1t, so far as Wilson Is
concerned The promised statement
by Wilson has never been made.
Fitzherbert has not resigned or offered
to resign. nor has any suggestion been
made that Governor Wilson has asked
him to do so.
The conclusion is Obvious that Wood
row Wilson is a rcformer only IN
spots and that his one track mind, rs
ut CNllN II ulIlNtli, ~ us Nul Ntu uN lllc
Horseshoe bend when a personal ad-
vantage is to be gained In making the
curve Fitzherbert has been a stead
fast supporter Of Wilson in his plans
for the upft of New Jersey, and lit
tie matter like the holdup of the Acct
ylcne company is not permitted to
mar their oneness of moral and polit-
ica aims. 1t is possible-nay. proba-
ble-that the public at large may take
a different view of executive obliga-
tions and may conclude chat Il gov
ernor with such Il contracted sense Of
official duty is untitled for the far
more important office OF president of
the United States.
Millions For Defense.