The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-30
Issues Statement to Dele gates to the Syracuse
 Convention
THE WHOLE COUNTRY
 IS AWAITING ACTION
Wilson Urges for Governor "a Pro- gressive Man of the Kind to Be His Own Master
 Progressive Platform

Wilson issued a statement tonight call ing upon delegates to the New York state democratic convention at Syracuse next Tuesday to choose as a candidate for governor "a progressive man of the kind to be his own master" He likewise urge l a progressive platform and declared that 'it will not do for the choice of the convention at Syracuse to be any less free than that which gave the third party Mir. Straus and the regular republican party MT. Hedges.
 It is not believed anything more def nite in the way of an expression of opin- ion will be forthcoming from the presi- dential nominee before the Syracuse con vention is opened. It is regarded also as unlikely that he will express pref erence for any particular person. al- though his close friends at the conven- ton will know what kind of men will prove acceptable to him.
 Governors Statement
 Governor Wilson's statement in full follows: .
 T have been looking forward to the Syracuse convention with the deepest in- terest because I realize it's critical i'm portance to the party throughout the nation and have made my own opinion with regard to 1t very plain to every friend from New York who has done me the honor to consult me. I have not said anything in public about 1t or through the newspapers because I want to avoid even the appearance of doing what I condemn in others namely try ing to dictate what a great party organ ization should do, what candidates It should choose and what platforms 1t should adopt But the very principle to which I hold myself bound, both in speech and in action, justifies me in say- ing that the whole country demands and expects that the democracy of New York be left absolutely free to make its own choice. I believe that it is ready to choose a progressive man of kind to be his own master and to adopt a plat form to which men of progressive prtu- ei3rrs aSerswi5e e can raftiaE ss'becfinc if only'it be left free from personal con trol of any sort. The organized demo- crats of the great state of New York are ready to serve the nation and to serve it with intelligence. They need no direction from the governor of another state, even though he be the candidate of his party for the presidency. II is seldom organizations that are at fault, it is those who attempt to dictate their action. No intelligent party leader can justly or wisely or even intelligently con demn or reject the open and honest or ganization by which alone parties can be held to concerted action, but he can and must do everything in his power to keep them free and unbossed.
 Critical Turning Point
 "The democracy of New York is at a critical turning point in its history. The whole country awaits it's action at Syra- cuse with deep attention and concern. Democrats everywhere look to 1t to set an example and vndieate the fair name of the party. They will reel the chil and discoura cement very keenly if if should fall them and will be stirred by added hope and enthusiasm if it should liuI, ,hat i. nf