The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-03

lngton are among MS pest KNOWN
Professor Wilson became the thir-
tenth in the roll of presidents at
Princeton in 1902 and the first laymal
to hold this office, all his predeces-
sors having been Presbyterian clergy
men. He is, however, a ruling elder in
the Second Presbyterian church of
Princeton. AS professor he was very
popular and his elective classes were
always among the largest.
During his administration at Prince
ton Doctor Wilson made two attempts
to change materially the character of
American education. On this one pro-
ject, he not only failed, but alienated
the support of large body of alumni
many of the trustees and some of his
co-workers on the teaching staff. That
project which did not succeed, was tic
establish the quad system for un-
dergraduates. 1t was resented by the
alumni as an attack on the student
clubs, and the opposition became so
strong that the president was asked by
the board of trustees to withdraw his
proposal.
The successful innovation was the
preceptorial system. That called for
the appointment of SO teachers or
principals to be added to the fac
ulty at an increased cost to the uni
versity of 500, 900 a year. But the
alumni so thoroughly approved the
plan that they told the president to
go ahead, and assured him that the
money for the salaries would be
Forthcoming. The plan succeeded,
and loyal alumni have furnished the
funds
When Mr.. Wilson, after 25 years of
service as an educator, resigned the
presidency of Princeton in 1910 to
accept the nomination for governor of
New Jersey there was a general ten
dency to look as<ance at the school
master in politics.. However, he was
lf,,,,1
Republican wave that swept so
many states.
Elected Governor.
Mr. Wilson was elected by a plural
ity of $4,000 votes and became the
first Democratic governor which New
Jersey had had for 16 years. 1t was
this sweeping victory in state that
had been. consistently hostile to DEM
ocratic principles that brought the
former college president prominently
into national politics.
The platform on which he ran
pledged his party to the enactment of
a workmen's compensation act, a re-
form of the election laws of the
state which would make direct noml-
nations possible, a corrupt practices
act and public utilities commission
bill All these measures were writ
ten into the statute book OF New Jer-
sey during the. first year of Governor
wilson's term in spite of the fact that
one house of the state legislature was
Republican.
In addition, a law was passed auth
orizing municipalities to adopt COM
mission form of government as we'll
formatory character.
It was his fight to obtain the cleo
ton of James E. MARITIME to the
United States senate to succeed Sena-
tor John Kean, which probably TO
cused the first widespread attention
upon the New Jersey governor. In
his prediction speeches Governor
Wilson had given the pledge:
1.-The people of the state Will be the
boss, the only boss
When James Smith, jr., leader of
the state machine, which nominated
Governor Wilson, let it be known af-
ter the election that he expected the
senatorial toga, the governor espous-
ed the cause of Mr.. MARITIME, the cam
didate chosen in the popular primary.
Governor Wilson won his hght.
In the 1911 elections, tables were
rather turned against Wilson and he
lost ground in the Legislature. Cur
rent comment in many quarters was
that the governor had received re
buke for his activities the previous
wear. but the Wilson adherents claim
ed that he had been merely knitted
bv the bosses of the Democratic ma
chine" In the New Jersey presiden-
tiaI primaries the governor retrieved
his so-called lost popularity by sweep
ing every district except two in when
Smith and James Nugent made Dig
fight against him. OF the % delegates
to Baltimore, "a were pledged to Viii
son.
Wilson's Running Mate.
Indianapolis, July 3--Thomas r.
Marshall. governor of Indiana since
1908 and known in Hoosierdom as
Tom Marshall, has assumed national
calibre during the last few years. AS Il
lawyer first in criminal and later in
corporation suits, his practice extended
over the northern part of Indiana His
boom as a candidate for governor re-
suited from united appeal from the
Democracy of his section of the state
and he swept the election when the Re
publican party was divided on the wet
and dry question
Marshall was born in North Man |
chester, Ind, in 1854. After attending |
the common schools, assisting with the |
farm work at the time, he later attend !
ed Wabash college from which he was |
graduated. He is now a trustee of the |
college. He is a member of the Phi |
Beta Kappa fraternity, of which his |
grand uncle, former Chief Justice John
Marshall, was founder. He began the
practice of law when he was 81 years
old
His work as reform governor has
gained him attention throughout the
Probably his best known act /
was his recommendation of changes in
the state constitution which by many
were regarded as radical.