The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-06

Y .. -. w
affords one OF tho mcst intsresting
chapters In American politics.
He had already rotiiied the peop.s
not to vote for him ssnieGa they want
ed him to be che leader Of the Demo-
cratic party In New Jersey, for sucn
he surely intended "a no II elected.
The bosses paid little attention e
this. They had heard something nke
II before. perhaps, but the governor
II was born In on them that no NOS
only intended 10 be the leader OF tne
party. but was the leader absoluteiysI
The most serious clash between tneI
will Of the governor and the VIII III
the reactionaries In the Legislature
was over the primary election law
commonly called the Geran act.
Those who have kept an sye ON
New Jersey politics will recall me
dramatic. although quiet, entrance VI
Governor Wilson into the caucus OF
the Democratic members OF the leg
islature. who had gathered to per-
form the last sad rites over the 0eran
Act and tenderly lay II in Its grave.
The governor listened to the funeral
speeches of the various members un-
til they had all had their hearing.
and then he took the floOf.
With not even 20 much ~ mote
by which to guide his thoughts the
governor talked to those lAwmAkaTs]
for three hours. Those who Wefs|
present say they will never forget that
occasion. In even. CONVERSATIONAL
tones, but with a vibrant persuasive
ability in his voice that thrilled every
one, the governor talked the mem
bers out of their position and the bill
was reported favorably. and thus NV
Jersey has nm election law ~ al
vanced as amy State in the Union.
True To PledGce-
In all his conflicts with the Demo 4
cratic members Of the Legislature Gov
ernor Wilson simply reminded them
Of the pledges contained In the plat
form on which they secured their Of
fee, and that II was net in their VIII.
hut the peoples, they we're there 30
carry out
If this argument did not suffice 70
! bring them into line. he would offer 10
| go with them into their respective
| districts and debate the matter be-
| fore their clients.
After coming in contact few times
| with such will and character. the
recalcitrant members threw up their
! hands and told the governor. 10 r.,
| as far as ne iikel--they would ops
| pose him no further.
Then the New Jersey Legislature.
mastered by its governor. proceeded
| to enact reform measure after re-
! form measure, and before II had cor
cluded it's first session under Cover
nor Wilson II enacted into law rnch
| progressive measures a. The Cor
| rupt Practices Act" the Employers
| Liza bility act. most excellent publin
/ utilities act. n municipal com mission
| government law. which gives any city
| In the State the right to adopt a com
4 &Twt ~ Any Rt
! desires, and tho sterilization al anti
procreation act.
/ But the night the governor had with
the reactionsries in the legislature WIS
| as nothing compared with the one h-
had wtth~the big bosses as soon ~ he
/ crossed the peraanal ambition Of San
I ator James smith. Jr.
The latter was the biggest bi-par-s
tisan hess in the state. Ifc had ra-.
presented New Jersey once In ths
United States senate. and he wanted
TO do II again.
In the state primary election. how
ever. James MARITIME had received
large majority OF the votes in the
State. Smiths name Was not on this
primary ballot He had neglected TO
put II there thinking that when the
time ca ne for the legislature TO elect
a senate all he would have to do would
he to notify that body that no desired
to 60 to Washington and the thing
would be done
hut again the governor stepped in
with his masterfuI will. Again NJ
reminded the Legislators that she peo-
| pie. at least majority OF them, had
bespoke o preference for Martin.
and there WAS nothing for them to
do but to ratify the will Of the poo
pie.
The bosses Easped at the governors
temerity. How dared he oppose tina
mighty Smith. He dared. and he
won.
| Naturally this brilliant record at
tracted the attention ~ the entire
nation to the New Jersey governor.
He was written about and talked
about In every State and city through-
out the country.
Fur President.
Seeing the attitude OF the country
toward their favorite, the admirers
OF Governor Wilson stood up and
yelled. What's the matter with Will
son for PRESIDENT
The echo Of that query spread
throughout the nation ana encourage
ting answers began To como hack on
the echo. And so his candidacy W.
launched:
mans candidate,
Many OF the old 1ine Democrats ops
posed him before the Baltimore con-
vention and leaders, a. we'll an. would
be leaders in his party. went to great
lengths to defeat his nomination. But
his nomination once attained harmony
settled upon the party, all factions be-
come reconciled and worked as q unit
for his election.
As the campaign progressed the
lDemocratie candidate doomed larger
and larger in the public eye He WOE
favor everywhere By his mastery way
lin presenting the issues Of the
campaign and the excellent good
temper he exhibited throughout the
hard fought canvass. His magnani-s
unity towards his opponents won the
admiration OF everyone. Republican and
Democrat alike. He won golden opin-
IONS for himself At the time RoOae-
iveit was wounded by An sssassin's bull.
let at Milwaukee by promptly chn.-
ceiling hts speaking dates and retiring
from the stump 80 long as Mr.. Roose-
Welt was unable to take an active part
lin the campaign.
/ OF both Colonel Roosevelt and Prcst.
dent Taft he always spoke In kindness
fand consideration. thereby setting q
high standard Of conduct Tor political
candidates .ss@.s4 IL. .s@g ..~s. s1at. ss
T TN. Nax thres, dassUh n