Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-09-09
WESCOTT OFFERED
TO QUIT CONTEST
Hughes and Gebhardt Didn't
Jump at Withdrawal Pro-
posal for Harmony.

Former Judge John w. wescott, 81
Camden, Democratic candidate for
United States senator, has issued a
public statement in which he de-
clares that he offered to withdraw
from the contest at the coming pri-
maries if the other candidates did
likewise.
The letter in part Is as follows:
Some 5000 voters. from all sections
of the State, without my initiative.
nave put me in nomination for the
United States senatorship. I know
very few of these voters. No word
ever passed between them and me in
respect to their action. I am not an
office seeker. nor do I believe in Of
fee seeking. l found myself, there
fore. confronted suddenly, and with
put reflection on my part, with the
practical operation of a public law
and with the legal and moral obi
cation arising from the voluntary
conduct of several thousand citizens
of my native State.
ION the 2sth day Of August last four
four candidates, Senator Gebhardt,
Judge Hughes, Mr.. McDermott and /
were in nomination for the same office.
It was at that time believed to a GER
tainty that Senator Smith would be
placed in nomination also. On that
late Governor WILSON, called Senator
Gebhardt, Judge Hughes and me to
Sea Girt. In characteristically clear
apd pa+riotio tarpoc he ctatad HE fear
that, because of a multiplicity Of can
didates and the division of votes
thereby likely to occur. the object of
the primary law might be entirely
defeated and a restoration of boss
rule in the State might result. He
further declared his inability by adj
vice or Intervention in any form to
avert what might become a political
calamity. and, therefore, left the So
luton of the difficulty to the public
spirited determination of the three
candidates present. He then left the
conference.
]. II proposed at once that the three
candidates present withdraw and pub
licly recommend at this critical iunc-
ture some citizen whom all voters
0Cdid odPpoib ~
ton offered by another was to leave
to the judgment of several fair-mind-
ed men the exclusion of two candi-
dates. Several hours of discussion
ensued. 1t amounted, in my estima-
ton, to nothing but pure j%ockeying.
1t was agreed to meet again on the
following Sunday In New York TO
continue the discussion. Serious con-
sideration of the moral, legal and DO
Htical aspects of the matter caused
me to call the proposed meeting off
and reduce my conclusions to writing
and send them to Senator Gebhardt
and Judge Hughes.
In this letter Mr.. Wescott said:
Careful reflection since our CONFER
ence Yesterday has led to this con-
clusion on my part: l agree, if you
and Judge Hughes will do the
same thing, to withdraw from
he United States senatorial con-
test, to unite and advise the vot-
ers Of the State to indorse our action,
upon such a candidate as Justice Gar
rison, Justice Kalisch, Justice Min
turn, Justice Bergen, Chancellor WAL
ker, Judge Hudspeth, Judge Sullivan,
Mayor Wittpenn, or any other high
typed and competent citizen, for thai
high office.
I'm case you decline this proposition
l agree to submit to the determination
of five fair men, of whom the Gov
ernor shall be one, II he will serve,
which one of us shall remain in the
contest, with the privilege, as you or
either of you, may wish, of appearing
before those five gentlemen to state
your individual views concerning the
question.
Thine was short" continues Mr..
Wescott's statement, "but quite suf1-
cient, since no good citizen would
have refused to sign a petition in be-
half of either of those suggested by
me. No answer came. The PROPOSE
tions were declined. l fully appreciate
the exigency and am ready to join in
such action as may meet it, if such
action is possible. Two difficulties
arise. First, whether, after the nom
mating proceedings become a record,
that record can be voluntarily re-
voked by a candidate; second, the
right of a candidate to repudiate the
unsolicited action of a large body of
citizens. I am fully aware that the
written propositions made by me in
volve these questions. and may be
j~ustifably criticised. My only defense
is the assumption by me that every
just and reasonable man would over
look these relatively less important
questions in the earnest effort to re-
lieve a really grave situation and
thereby aid the cause of good govern
ment."