Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-09-28

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the Democratic ticket.
Let us suppose, for the sake of an
illustration, that every voter was al
lowed to vote in whichever ballot
box he desired, regardless of past or
future party affiliations. 1t is not
difficult to see the great injustice
that could be brought about under
I this system, making the direct prim-
airy a mere farce. For instance, in
the contest for United States sena-
tor last Tuesday, Senator F. o.
Briggs was a candidate for renomin-
alton on the Republican ticket with
out opposition. Regardless of how
many people voted for him in the
! Republican ballot box he was sure
to receive the popular endorsement.
On the Democratic ticket, however,
there were four names from which
the voter could choose in expressing
his preference for United States SEN
ator. The real contest, however,
was between william Hughes and
James Smith, Jr. Hughes stood for
the Wilson progressive policies,
whereas Smith was the machine cam
didate of the bosses.
1t was generally recognized
throughout the state that if Smith
received the Endorsement at the
primary the Republican party stood a
good chance of carrying the state, as
it would mean that Wilson had not
only been discredited in his state,
but by electing a Democratic legisla-
ture Smith would be sem to the
United States senate. Naturally, the
Republican leaders desire a Repub-
lican victory in November and are
willing to turn every political trick
they can in order in order to bring
about hat result.
AS the Republican machine can
didate for United States senator had
no opposition on the Republican
ticket his nomination was assured
and gave them no concern, what
fore, that by having the weakest
candidate on the Democratic ticket
Endorsed, 1t would be all the easier
for the Republicans. In other words,
with no contest of their own to re-
quire their attention, the Republi-
can machine leaders, if all the voters
had the privilege Of voting in which
ever ballot box they chose, would
exert every effort to have all the
Republicans vote in the Democratic
box for Senator Smith. There is not
the slightest doubt that Smith could
thus be given the endorsement. OF
course, the Republican voting for
him would not want him for sena-
tor, but they would want him the
choice of the Democratic party SO
as to make the chances of their own
man all the better.
While doubtless there would be
many conscientious voters who would
cast their ballot in whatever box
they chose for the public welfare,
there would be thousands of the fol
lowers of the political machines who
would obey the orders of the bosses
and vote in opposition boxes, so as
to bring about the nomination OF
weak candidates on the opposing
ticket, making the election Of their
own candidates doubly assured.
The situation may be clearer II
brought down to a contest for a city
office. In making the nomination
for mayor, for instance, Mr.. Garrett
son, on the Republican ticket, at the
recent primary had no opposition
He was certain to become the candi.
date Of his party. 1t would, there
fore, be the object of the Republi'
cans to see that as weak a candidate
as possible was nominated on the
Democratic ticket so that they could
easily elect Mr.. Garretson in Novem'
Der. This would mean that, being
certain that Mr.. Garretson would be
nominated, 1t would be the object OF
the Republicans, II they could vote
in either box they desired, to vote In
the Democratic box supporting the
weakest man running. The result
would be apparent.
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