Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-07-08
:;ANT WILSON
! TO HOLD FAST
Many Democrats Are Oppose
to Him Rssigning.
(From the NEWS corrsspondemtJ

fFrons the NEWS Co~rTsspondeftJ
Trenton, July s:-Because Of its re-
lation to many important appointments
as well as it's bearing on other leading
political questions, the proposition as
to whether or not Governor Wilson
shall resign is engaging the liveliest at
tention of state politicians. Notwith-
standing Mayor Wittpenn, of Jersey
City, and many of his followers, as well
as other Democrats, have urged the
Governor to resign at once so a new
Governor may be chosen next Novem-
Der, the prevailing opinion is that Gov
ernor Wilson will not resign, at least
until after the election. Some of the
state Democratic leaders take the view
that he will not resign until just be-
fore his Inauguration as President next
March, no doubt of his election being
entertained by these Wilson men.
These Democratic leaders say there
are several reasons why the Governor
should not vacate his present Office at
the earliest before the second Tuesday
in January, 19F3, when the next legis-
lature will organize. Were he to re-
tire at an earlier date the President
of the senate, John Dynely Prince, of
Passaie, a Republican, would by nature
Of his office become acting Governor,
with all the executive and appointing
powers now held by Governor Wilson,
and would possess these powers until
the senate of 1913 organizes.
Next Legislature Democratic.
The Democratic leaders express con-
fdence that the next legislature will be
Democratic on joint ballot by a sub
stantial majority. They base this on
the claim that the strong rally to the
Governor by a united harmonious DEM
oeracy and by many progressive Re-
publicans will carry the legislative tick
ct on the wave Of popular support
which will place the Governor in the
Presidential chair. At present the SEN
ate is composed of eleven Republicans
and ten Democrats. The terms of six
senators expire this year and their sue
cessors will be elected with the Presi-
dent next November. Three of the re-
firing senators are Democrats and three
Republicans. The counties e~lecting
senators this year are Hunterdon, Mid
dlesex and Sussex, now represented by
Democrats, and Burlington, Cape May
and Passaic, whose present senators are
Republicans.
So confident are the Democrats that
they will gain control Of the senate,
they are already talking of plans for
the organization of this branch. Sena-
tor James F. Fielder, of Hudson coun-
ty, is slated for the Presidency of the
senate.
Want Governor to Remain.
The Democratic program is for the
Governor to remain in Office at least
until after January IA, when the new
legislature will organize. Then with
Senator Fielder President of the SEN
ate he would become Acting Governor
in the event of the resignation of the
Governor and the executive would be
safe in Democratic hands. With Sena-
tor Fielder as Acting Governor, ne
would still hold the Office q resident
of~.the senate, but the duties of this
position xpo lpy Gfsformed by a presi-
dentepro ten. Tno1 -s>talk of Senator
a. C. Johnson, of Berger county, for
this place, and Senator j. Warren
Davis, the lawyer-minister, of Salem
county who was one Of the aggressive
members last session, is being men
toned for the floor leadership.
With the uncertainty as to the third
party movement, there has been little
talk as yet of the Republican program.
1t is more than likely, however, that
Senator w. Edge, of Atlantic, who was
the Republican floor leader last session,
will be the candidate of his party for
the senate presidency. Senator Leavitt,
of Mercer, will again be a candidate for
the Republican leadership, and with the
tendency towards Progressivism this
year, his friendliness for former Cover
nor Stokes may not be a bar to his
election, as it was last winter. 1t may
be, though, if Senator Edge be chosen
president that North Jersey will claim
the leadership. This might throw the
office of party pilot to Senator Pierce,
> eff Union, or to Senator Colgate, of Es-
sex, Senator Leavitt outranks both in
length of senatorial service.
Important Appointments.
Not only many important state posts,
but also several county judgeships and
prosecutorships are involved in the
question of the resignation of the Gov
ernor. If Governor Wilson should re-
sign this summer, which, as stated, is
considered unlikely, these offices will
be filed by the new Governor to be
elected next November, and not by
President Prince, as Acting Governor
If Governor Wilson shall not retire I'M,
til next March, he will, of course make
the appointments himself. Another
element in the situation is that if the
next senate should be Republican, il
. could refuse to confirm the Governor
appointments, knowing that he would
soon resign, and thus throw the Offices
into the hands of the Republican SEN
ate president, who would become act
ing Governor. These contingencies all
hinge on the election of Governor Will
son as President and the latter one is