Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-23

Ieellng, ana charges OF betrayal OF Tn
party, though the resolution of indorse
ment was passed by a vote of So to 81
Chairman Hennessey vas accused o
using steam roller tactics. the Hudsoi
County Democratic Committee las
night by a vote Of 81 to SO adopted
resolutions indorsing Governor vii
sons candidacy for the Democratic
nomination.
The meeting had been arranged o,
Mayor Wittpenn and Sheriff N. Pete
Wedin, who are looking for favor:
from the Governor. Notices were SEN
to all of the members announcing The
object was to indorse Wilson and urg'
Ing a full attendance.
AS IL TO show their disapproval bS
the proposed actions. more than two
thirds of the members of the commit
tee remained away. OF the 315 Demo
cratic workers comprising the commit
tee only ninety-eight responded TO the
call.
Victory Is Barren One.
While the Endorsement went through
as planned by Mayor Wittpenn and
Sheriff Wedin the victory was a bar
rem one, as the militant minority de-
clared they woulf not he bossed by ii,
and refused to make the Endorsement
unanimous. Left to themselves a ma
jority of the committee would have
gone on record against the resolu-
tons.
Mayor Wittpenn, who was early OF
the scene. realized this. and he pro-
ceeded to exert all the influence at
his command to round up some of the
recalcitrant committeeman. Pending
his efforts along these lines there was
a delay of two hours in calling tho
meeting to order.
Meanwhile Mayor wittpenn had
made known his fear to former Sher. IF
tive committee, which Is made up of
the ward leaders, and that official
called the executive committee together
in secret session. Mayor Wittpenn
Sheriff Wedin and Mayor Cronin of
Bayonne. neither of whom is a mem
Der of the committee were invited by
Chairman Kelly to attend the meeting.
Mayor Wittrenn and Sheriff Wedin
made a strong appeal for the indorse-
ment of Governor Wilson's candidacy.
Mayor Cronin did not taxi part in
the discussion IN. He was a silent spec
tator. Frank Hague, who is a Street
and Water Commissioner and the
leader of the Second Ward, combatted
the arguments advanced by the two
men who have assumed the party
leadership. He protested against the
Endorsement, declaring that such action
would disrupt the party. Mayor Witt
penn and Sheriff Wedn had done their
work we'll. however. and the vote on
the Endorsement stood IL for and s
against.
Wittpen Drives Men Into Line.
The resolution had beer offered by
Recorder McGovern, of Hoboken.
Chairman Kelly was on both sides of
the question. When the motion to in
dorse was put he voted in favor of 1t.
When he saw ii was carried he changed
his vote. and is recorded as among
the eight against the Endorsement.
While the executive committee was
being driven into line by Mayor Witt
pen. the members of the County Com
mittee were impatiently awaiting
Chairman Hennessey's pleasure. He
refused to call the meeting until the
executive committee had finished it's
work. 1t was just 10 o'clock-two hours
after the time fixed for the meeting
when the executive committee emerged
from its secret session and filed into
the meeting-room.
Trouble started at once. Mayor
Wittpenn and Sheriff Wedin had ar
ranged that they should be invited to
address the meeting before action was
taken IN the resolution and Chairman
Hennessey undertook ~togcarry out this
part of the program.
Protests came from all parts of the
hall.
Chairman Hennessey appointed a
committee to escort Wittpenn and
Wedin &c the meeting-room. but the
members refused tx hear them until
they had disposed of the resolutions
as reported by Chairman Kelly of the
executive committee.
Objected TO Outside Advice.
Frank Hague said that the members
were capable of deciding the question
for themselves and did not want the
advice of outsiders.
"Let US act as men, not Toys" said
Hague. "Y'hy should we listen 10 q
lot OF talk from men who have axes 10
III - Mr H"uHesty i~uNiStef on
waiting for the Mayor nrd sheriff. ard
then HsEue moved to adjourn. Former
Police Commissioners William Farmer
seconded HagBe'S motion. ard when
HaiuesSN refused to entertain It he
charged him with applying gag rule
and bowling to the will of a man who
had nut him In office.
Mayor Wittpenn recently appointed
Hennessey n tax commissioner.
Your action is unfair and undemo-
cratic" said Farmer, addressing Hen
nessey. Forget that you are acting
under orders and be fair to this COM
mittee and TO yourself"
The militant minority made so much