Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-10-08
DEFENDS
LEAGUES ACTION
Municipal Corruption, Not Party
Loyalty, involved in ArOn.
son o. K.
DENIES ACTION WAS AT
ANY SECRET MEETING
Says Absentees Were Given No.
tice and Had Full Oppor-
tunity TO Attend.

but municipal corruption, is the is
sue of the campaign was the asser-
ton of Nathan Kussy, a member Of
the executive committee of the Wood
ROY Wilson League in a statement
today. Mr.. Kussy was added to the
committee several months ago. and
at the executive session when the
committee by a vote of five in the
son asted al secretary.
Much of the criticism as inspired
by members who We're not present
at the meeting wherein action was
taken was further comment made
by Mr.. Kussy.
The absentees We're Mayor Julian
A.. Gregory, of East Orange: William
p. Macksey. of the County Tax
Board; Patrick J. Dolan, the secre-
tary of the league, and John M.
Rhodabeck. All disapproved of the
plan of indorsing one not in the
party.
Mr.. Kussy sat with his colleagues.
aside from the same ~absentees, in a
meeting behind closed doors last
night.
With President John l.. Armitage
and others he told reporteres of The
Star, who entered the room after
knocking and took seats, that they
were not allowed to remain.
1.-The Endorsement of Mr.. Aronson
was a subject of discussion at a
meeting of the executive committee
held on Thursday, September rs. A
quorum was present at thai meeting,
but owing to the absence of several
members of the committee it was de-
cided to postpone action until the
following Monday.
"On that day a meeting was duly
held, pursuant to notice given to the
members of the committee. There
was neither more nor less secrecy OBJ
served at that meeting THAI at any
other previous meetings OF the conn
The meeting was held at our
usual place of meeting, at the usual
hour. and after notice had been sent
to the members.
Wait for Absentees.
although a majority of the COM
were in attendance yet the
Importance of the action contem-
plated was so fully recognized hat
efforts were made to reach the alb
upon the telephone in order
to insure a full attendance. Two of
the absent members telephoned that
they would probably attend later in
the evening. In order to accommo-
date these gentlemen, and for the
purpose of obtaining a full expression
Of the views of every member who
proposed to attend the committee
until $3.50 o'clock before taking
up the business of the committee, al
though the meeting had beeu sched-
uled for 8 o'clock.
when the members finally con-
vened a resolution was introduced
favor.ngA the Endorsement of Mr..
candidacy for mayor a
minority of the members opposed the
Endorsement of a Republican by a
organization. although
they stated that they proposed to
vote for him. Those in favor of the
resolution commended that Mr.. Aron-
had placed himself in the position
OF an independent candidate, whom
any political party could consistentiy
indorse; that the Wilson League had
always voted for progressive prin-
and had in the past appealed
to voters of all political denomina-
ions to consider the qualifications OF
candidates for public Office rather
than be governed by party labels.
Against Leagues Politics.
at was further urged that, as the
league since its inception had fought
The boss-rldden Democratic machine
of this county, 1t would stultify itself
ii IL failed to rally TO the support of
the only candidate who stood for "a
clean and non-partisan business adj
ministration from the control of any.
political boss.
Frhe resolution to indorse Mr..
Aronson's candidacy was then duly
passed. There was no hot contro-
versy at the meeting. but merely a
calm discussion of the attitude which
the league should assume towards
Nh. Aronson's candidacy. The con-
clusion was finally reached that
parry loyalty does not necessarily inn
port announcement of civic corrup-
ton, that in matters affecting
municipal government a citizens
foremost duty is toward his city. and
that MI. .Aronson's pledges, consid-
cred II the light of his past record
as a philosophical citizen. gave
promise of q cleaner. ADLER and more
'ndependent administration than that
which has governed this city in re-
cent years"