Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-03-21

Woodrow Wilson "A Biography.
Continued from first page
timations became so numerous and 30
pointed and were accompanied by 30
many assurances Of the benefit the
party and the state would derive from
his acceptance that Mr.. Wilson was
constrained. to lend them favorable
ear. His work at Princeton was APP
parently arrested that he realized.
And yet the prospec tive nominee was
profoundly puzzled. While sentiment
among the best class Of voters through
out the state was strong, the practical
overtures came from the Organization
headed by Smith Mr. Wilson was per-
fectly aware Of ex- Senator Smiths po-
litical character and history; he knew
what the Organization was. How could
such gang support him7 What quid
did they expect for their quot Were
they deceiviDg themselves as to their
man? Did they fancy that his life long
detestation of corrupt politics was
simply pose? Or were they merely
willing 20 take him because they knew
he was the only sure chance of party
victory? Willing to have an incorrupt-
ible Governor If it were impossible
otherwise to get Democratic Govern
or? Did Smith regard the schoolmaster
as simple soul who would hand out
corporation favors without knowing?
Did he expect to get a United States
Senatorship through the Democratic
Legislature which Wilson's popularity
was likely to elect?
On that point, Mr.. Wilson made
| specific inquiry of the gentleman who
came to him on their puzzling errand.
He required their assurance that Mr.
Smith would not seek the Senatorship.
s.Were he to do SO, while | was G "
ernor," he told them, 81 should have
to oppose him. He represents every
thing repognar1t to my convictions
They told him categorically that Smith
had no idea of gong back to the Senate;
that he was a man thought to be sick
with dangerous constitutional ailment
and borne down by domestic bereave-
ment and that he was definitely out of
politics. Furthermore they called his
attention to the fact that the election
laws of New jersey called for q pri-
mary, in which the respective parties
by popular vote selected their candl
dates for Senator. James Smith, Jr..
would not enter that primary race.
Nothing could be more convincing on
that score.
Talking afterward of his perplexity
at this time, Governor Wilson said:
II was asked to allow myself to be
nominated, and for long time it was
impossible for me to understand why
had been asked. The gentlemen who
wanted to nominate me were going out
side the ranks of recognized politicians
and picking out man whom they knew
would be regarded as an absolutely in
dependent person, and whom | thought
they knew was an absolutely indepep-
dent person. tried to form work
ing theory as to why they should do it. |
asked very direct and impertinent ques-
tions of some of the gentlemen as to why
they wanted me to make the run They
didn't give me any very satisfactory
explanation, SO | had to work one out
for myself. i concluded on the whole
that these gentlemen had been driven
to recognize that a new day had come
| in American politics, and that they
would have to conduct themselves
henceforth after new fashion, More
over. there were certrain obvious prac-
tical advantages to be gained bn the
old-time managers. Whether they
could control the Governor or not, a
Democratic victory would restore their
local prestige and give them control OF
a score of things in which the Gov ernor
could not command them. even if he
wished. It was one thing to put a
Governor in a Legislature; it was
another to control their counties and
municipalities.
The sequel will show how accurate
was this theory.
On Tuesday, july IL, 1910, number
of gentlemen gathered in a private
room of the Lawyers Club, 128 Broad
way, New York to have dinner and to
inquire of Mr.. Wilson whether he would
allow his name to be presented to the
New Jersery Democratic State Gonyen-
ton. At that meeting were present
Robert S. Hudspeth, national commit
teeman for New Jersey; James R. Nu-
gent, state chairman; Eugene F. Kin
kead, Congressman; Richard " Linda
bury, George Harvey, and Milan Ross.
But one practical inquiry was made Of
Mr.. Wilson; it was voiced by Mr.. Hud-
speth, and was in substance this:
Doctor Wilson, there have been some
political reformers who, after they have
been elected to Office as candidates of
one party or the other. have shut the
doors in the face of the Organization
leaders, refusing even to listen to them.
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