The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-05-03
WILSON IS DEFTED
BY JERSEY BOSSES
Conference on Jury Reform
Ends in Deadlock Over
Presidents Plan.
DEMAND McDERMOTT BILL
Hudson County Assemblymen
stand BY Provision for a
Referendum.
DEMAND McDERMOTT BILL

Democratic Senators and Assembly
men on the subject Of jury reform. and
Mt the end Of that time the situation
was no nearer a settlement than 1t was
at the adjournment of the Legislature,
He failed utterly TO prevail upon the
any scheme for carrying out the carr
paign pledges upon which they were
elected
The President made an earnest appeal
on the ground of public and party policy
and :or hts pains was baited and de-
fed. The purpose Of his visit was
called in question; he was made 10 feel
that his declination TO dictate the kind
OF bill he thought best was prompted
by fear Of the criticism Of his opponents
aud one Assemblyman went so far as to
challenge him to a public debate in Jer-
sey City last night A motion 10 ad-
journ was shot forth before the Presi-
dent had finished speaking, and It was
conceded by those present, that only the
good offices Of Gov Fielder prevented
Mr. Wilson from being openly insulted.
The conference was held behind closed
doors in the Carteret Club. in Jersey
City. Walter Nc cDermott asked that the
newspaper men be admitted but his
suggestion was not approved, the Presi-
dent himself voicing the objection that
the result would be to give especial at
tention To what he might say, whereas
ne thought the purpose Of the meeting
was to get at the frank opinions of
every one.
The twelve members OF the Assembly
delegation from Hudson county eau
cused before the conference and de-
cided that they would stand by d jury
reform bill offered by Mr.. McDermott. II
provides for a referendum on two prop
ositions. one to have the list OF grand and
petit Jurors selected by the Sheriff, sub
jeCt to the correction of the presiding
Supreme Court Justice. and the second
To have the list prepared by TWO Jury
Commissioners named 10y the Supreme
Court Justice
The argument Of Mr. McDermott and
his adhercnts IL that whichever scheme
Of these two il adopted Will be an i'm
provement over the one now obtaining
and that an opportunity will be given
ne people OF the State to decide
whsther or not they want the Sheriff
10 retain his present powers or whether
they desire the Judges TO 2ave more
power. The objection to the refcren-
dunn is that the machine controlled
counties are the largest and that the
rest OF the State will suffer because re-
form is opposed In Hudson and Essex.
President Wilson said he had his own
idea as to what ought to be done, but
he did not wish TO dictate. Assembly
man McDermo,t asked him why ne had
come from Washington If he had no
scheme to OFFER. When some objection
to his own bill was made he said he
would debate its merits with the Presi-
dent at the meeting scheduled for the
evening.
1t was apparent as soon IA the legis-
lators came from the conference room
that the discussion had not served to
calm the troubled waters of New Jersey
politics. When Mr.. McDermott reached
the crowd OF waiting newspaper men
he said:
The meeting broke up in an argu-
ment between myself and the President.
He refused 10 say why he was opposed
10 my referendum measure. When put
the question TO him he turned away
and would not answer. He didn't commit
himself on jury reform measure at
this conference and from what he said
1t would be hard to say what he wants"
AS the President, apparently dis
tressed from his long day with the legis-
lators. WAS beginning his speech in the
High School in the evening. and the
3 900 men and women stood up to give
him welcome. he made his reply to the
treatmen. he had received at the con-
ference. He said:
Your cordial greeting makes mo feel
very comfortable. II makes me feel
very much more comfortable than did
this afternoon for example, in another
part OF the city, where the tender sensi-
bilities Of one of the Assemblynen from
this county led me TO conclude that ne
considered II an affront to his personal
dignity that should without his in
vitation have come into the county over
which his influence is so benefcently
exerted."
The President affirmed his belief in
the policy Of performing what had been
promised In the party platform. Mr..
McDermott asked him who put the jury
reform plank in. and the President, who
was chairman Ol inc TeSOlutlOnS conf
mittee at the State convention, said he
could not remember. Mr.. McDermott
said the plank had been adopted with
out debate. but he admitted that he as
delegate had raised no objection TO II.
Mr.. Wilson said he believed that tho
party would be repudiated at the polls
next November unless this reform is
written into the statute books. He de-
clared that the people would be served
or they would be revenged. His fcrvent
appeal met with not the slightest ap-
proval from the majority of those who
sat about him.
When the conference broke up it was
decided to have another session at
Trenton next Monday. The President
will not be present but the legislators
avowed their intention to get together
on some plan.
Immediately after this conference the
President met with Gov, Fielder, Mayor
Wittpenn OF Jersey City. Prosecutor
Hudspeth. the National Committeeman
from New Jersey; State Democratic
Chairman Edward T.. Grosscup, Sena-
tor Davis, Gen. Dennis +. Collins Pat
rick II. Griffen, Democratic leader in
Hoboken. and Bernard NJ. Cannon, the
Democratic leader OF MiddleseX county.
They were in conference fnr th,a.