New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-09
WILSON DENOUNCES
SMITHS CANDIDACY
Governor Says Boss's Effort to
Break Into U. S. Senate
Has Sinister Meaning.
DEMANDS HIS DEFEAT
Betrayed Party Once and Would
Do 1t Again if Elected, Can
didate Tells Voters of
New Jersey.

Characterizing the selection Of James
Smith, jr., as the Democratic candidate
for United States Senator as the most
fatal step backward that the Demo
Gratis Of New Jersey could take" Gov
ernor Wilson, in statement issued be-
fore leaving Sea Girt last night,
roundly denounced the candidacy OF
the Democratic boss.
The Governor expressed no pref
erence for any other candidate in the
field He minced no words in his state
ment. He says that since he has be-
come Governor he has found eX-Sena-
tor Smith working steadily, but
covertly. against everything that sub
stituted hope and pride for discourage
ment and shame in the politics Of New
Jersey"
Governor Wilson points out that
Smith was one Of small group of Sen
ators calling themselves Democrats,
who. at a critical and hopeful juncturc
in our politics, utterly defeated the
programme Of the party" and he as
scrts that ut is of particularly sinister
import" that Mr.. Smith should seek to
return to the United States Senate at
this time
Governor Wilson in his statement
says he speaks not only as the Demo
cratic leader of New Jersey. but of the
United States as well. The statement
is addressed to the voters Of New Jer-
sey and is as follows:
Mr.. Smith has. Of course, "a perfect right
10 offer himself at the primaries as a
candidate for tho Democratic nomination
for Senator Of the United States. lie IL
acting frankly and In the spirit OF the
new law. and II he L. preferred at the
primaries II will be- the duty ~ every
Democratic member OF the next Legis-
lature to vote FOR him when Senator
is chosen But ! feel that I ought 10
speak very frankly about the significance
Of his candidacy.
II Is not only my privilege as n citizen,
but my duty as the leader of my party
10 point out Just what is involved IN
this matter for the Democratic party I'm
this state and for the party In the ma
put myself under the most solemn and
explicit pledges 10 the people of New
Jersey. had told them during the
campaign In which 7 sought their sup
port that / would understand my cleo
ton 10 mean that they commissioned me
to Get as the leader Of my party and AZ
the spoke 5man of all the people OF the
state. that ! would deem IL my duty TO
keep them advised concerning every i'm
pOrtant matter that affected their polit-
zeal welfare ana safety. and that ] would
give them the best and frankest counsel
1 could with regard TO every public mat
ter I'm which my advice might be OF SER
vice 10 them These are promises which
| cannot In conscience ignore.
II is very diStastcful 10 me to be
Obliged 10 make public comment upon
Mr. Smiths candidacy. but II ~ an OBJ
legation which / cannot honorsbly escape.
Interests OF the greatest consequence.
both 10 the party and to the nation, are
involved. and ! cannot be silent The
fact that / am ~ present the responsible
leader OF my party In the nation AS well
as I'm the stat" makes my duty all the
more clear and imperative.