Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-08-08
GOSSIP HEARD
AT SEA GRIT
Politics at Notification Cere-
mony--U. S. Senatsrship.
tFrom the NEWS Correspomdent.)

Trenton, Aug. S:-As the result of
the politics which manifested them
selves at Sea Girt yesterday after
noon in connection with the notifica-
ton ceremony it is evident that the
United States senatorship nomina-
ton is giving the Democratic state
leaders considerable concern. The
trouble is a multiplicity of candi-
dates and the fear that because Of
this former United States Senator
James Smith, Jr., may be able to
capture the prize. The Wilson fol-
/ lowers look upon former Senator
| Smith as the arch enemy of this adj
ministration and do not hesitate to
declare that his election to the Unit
ed States senate again would be a
calamity.
1t had been thought that while the
various candidates were at Sea Grit
yesterday a conference might be ar
ranged at which one of the candi-
dates could formally be decided up
on, the others retiring from the field,
or if this plan could not be agreed
to, a compromise candidate be select
ed and all those now in the field re-
tire. Former Judge Robert S. Huds-
ptLhg vi IluuoOh touiIp II ANS"
Jersey member of the national COM
mittee, and former Mayor Frank s.
Katzenbach, Jr., of this city, were
both mentioned in connection with
the proposed compromise. No pro-
gress whatever was made with the
proposition and the booms of the
leading candidates were actively fos-
tered throughout the day. AS the
situation presented itself, there is
little likelihood but that the fight
will have to be fought out in a
scramble at the primaries in Septem-
Der.
Former Judge John w. WestcottI
of Camden; Congressman William
Hughes, of Paterson, and State Sena-
tor William c. GeDhardt, of Hunter
don county, all of whom are avowed
candidates, were on the grounds and
each had his followers who were
working in his interest. There was
talk that Judge Westcott will not
have the solid support Of South Jer-
sey in his campaign for the place,
| but his friends claim hat any defec-
ton there will be slight. The con-
tention that Judge Westcott should
be the candidate is based largely on
his speech nominating Governor Will
son for the presidency at Baltimore.
Dan Fellows PLAT, the Bergen
county member of the state commit
tee, was the most active man in be-
half of Congressman Hughes. He
had a Hughes petition his pocket,
was soliciting signers for it and de-
clared that North Jersey wanted
Hughes for the candidate. 1--WE
know Congressman Hughes" he said,
land we know his record at Wash
ington. He should be nominated"
Senator Gebhardt discussed his
candidacy in a way which showed
that he is not disposed to retire from
the contest. He thinks he stands a
fair chance of winning the nomina-
ton, or at least the plurality of the
popular vote at the primaries. Some
of the state leaders think his pro-
nounced stand in favor of local OPP
ton will defeat him in the large
counties of the state, but he thinks
| this stand will win him many votes
In the smaller counties, enough to
outweigh the influence of the liquor
interests in the populous counties
like Hudson and Essex.
There had already been some
mention of Mr.. Hudspeth in connec-
ton with the senatorship and two or
three prominent Democrats said yes
terday his selection as a compromise
candidate would be a happy solution
of the difficulty.
Mr.. Katzenbach was at Sea Grit,
but did not discuss the senatorship.
He announced some time ago that
he would not be a candidate. 1t
was said that some of his admirers
in Middlesex and Monmouth coun-
ties were planning to get up a sena-
torial petition for him and Ale it
and put the matter up to him de-
spite his announcement. Some of
these friends think he could be in
| duced to run if he were assured of
earnest support.
the camp grounds thought that the
present situation probably was very
pleasing to former Senator Smith
and that If it shall continue 1t would
not be surprising to see the former
senator at the psychological moment
enter the race in an endeavor to cap
ture the seat now held by Senator
Briggs.
"Win with WILSON, was very much
in evidence during the notification
ceremony. 1t appeared on %pennants,
buttons, belts, hatbands and in con-
versation.
The happy smile Of Mrs. Wilson
was noticeable during the demon
stration for her distinguished hus-
band when he first appeared before
the crowd. She occupied a seat near
the governor on the cottage verandah
with the other members of his fam
lily and several relatives.
While some 5000 people witness
ed the notification ceremony, the
whole country will soon be able to
see the event in moving pictures,
Moving picture machines were foe
used on the scene from every posi-
BILE angle, n even being stationed
on the roof Of the Little White
House.
Including Governor Wilson, there
were eight state executives present
They were: Governor Marshall. OF
Indiana, the vice presidential nomi-
nee; Governor Dix, Of New York:
Governor Plaisted. the first Demo
cratic governor Maine has had in
thirty years; Governor Mann, OF
Virginia: Governor O'Neal, OF Ala