Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-03-20
EASY OF ACCESS AT ALL
TIMES AND TO ALL MEN
Governor Gave to Poiiticlan-Ridden
New Jersey an Administration
That AstonIshed and Delighted the
Voters Of tho State-ResponsibIe
Head Of Party.
BY OLIVER p. NEWMAN.

politely to his private secretary and
say:
I'D like to see Governor Soandso.'
Ii you are big politician you are
ushered in with ceremony. If you
are John Hobbs or Bill Jones you get
this:
The governor is busy today. lie
cannot see you"
But in New Jersey, when Woodrow
Wilson became governor, a different
system was put into operation. The
first thing Wilson did was to prop
open the door to the governors pri
waite office
Today any citizen OF New Jersey
who wants TO see the governor can
see him. That private office door has
never been closed.
When Wilson became governor
New Jersey was in about as hopeless
a political condition as a state could
be. A crowd OF Republican and Dem
ocratic bosses had been running 1t in
the interests of corrupt corporations
for years. The Democratic bosses
had even ordered Wilson's nomina-
ton, in the belief that a school teach
er theorist would be easy to handle
And Wilson proceeded TO beat the
boss candidate: Jim Smith. for the
, senate!
You see, there had been a senate
rial primary in New Jersey. and
James K. MARITIME had been Endorsed
by the people. Wilson took the posi-
tfon-unheard OF in New Jersey I'M
til then-that legislators ought 10
obey the peoples orders.
The gislators-remember the
old power of Smith-trembled. and
Wilson took the case into Smiths
'ome town, Newark, where he spoke
against the election of Smith. Then
he argued personally with members
OF the legislature, converted many by
MS frank appeal for execution of the
peoples orders. and when he found a
man he couldn't move, he said:
Very we'll; l shall have to take |
this before your people. shall 20 |
into your district and tell the whole |
story-and then let your constituents |
deal with you as they see fit"
The day for electing a United |
States senator arrived-and MARITIME
was the overwhelming choice of the
legislature.
Wilson went into Office pledged to
reforms that would have staggered an
old stager in politics. Mind, he had
not promised to get them-only to
try to get them. But he secretly
hoped he would succeed. The senate
was Republican and the house Demo-
!
through this program:
real, direct primary law. includ-
ing United States senator and presi-
dent.
corrupt practices act, to prevent
vote buying.
public utilities commission. en-
powered to make rates.
workingmen's compensation law
by which fixed amounts would be
paid automatically in cases of en-
ployes killed or injured In Industrial
concerns
The regulation of cold storage es-
Adjustments.
Equalization of taxation, especially
% require railroads to pay their lust
share of public expenses.
First of. the Democratic legislators ,
allied a caucus on his corrupt prac. !
ices bill. He attended. When spokes- {
men for the bosses said it was I'M
for a governor to mix
n the legislatures business, Wilson
aid:
1T isn't, but II you want to tbint
70, III be an unconstitutional cover.
Ior"
Then he flashed the constitution q,
hem and showed he was empowered
o recommend legislation lat such
lines as he deemed expedient"
Il deem this time expedient." he a
eclared o
The governor stood on his feet for L
hree hours and frankly, fairly ex- =
lained the provisions OF a bending
Ill AS an Introductory. Wilson
aid:
i have been made the head of tbesI q
democratic party in New JERSEY bv >
ne people. They can and will hold r
lie responsible for what the partv :
oes. They cannot and will not bold :,
"u responsible. for you are each
lected by small group OF voters
lille | am elected by the whole
ate. Being the elected leader-and So
lie responsible head demand voice
deciding what the party does"
After his three hours speech bs a
God for an hour and a half mora
nd answered questions. Then he do
AIRED If the bill were defeated he
ould carry the fight to the people. as
At the end Of four hours and a half III
vote was taken and the caueus ~
lginally antagonistic, declared IS