Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-03-06

IN none IdSllOn Ilt ne Recommend
It, That conference lasted four and ;
half hours. For three hours Of it Mr.
Wilson was on his feet, first eXpound
ing the bill, clause by clause; answer
ing all queries and replying to all oh
jectionS out Of a knowledge not only
of the experience of other states, but
Of the practical workings Of politics
that greatly surprised his audience
One by one he met and silenccd al
critics. Then, looking about upon
them, he began what will always re
main one Of the notable speeches OF
his career n speech which no man
| who was present will ever forget
| They were Democrats, and he spoke to
them as such. This, he told them, was
no attempt to destroy the party. 1t
was plan to revitallzc it and arm 1t
for the war to which the swelling voice
Of Il people called it in an hour of pal.
pitant expectancy. With an Onrush Of
words white hot with speed and sup
pressed emotion lie displayed before
them the higher view OF political duty
and expanded the ground OF his hope
for the future OF the Democratic party
as servant Of the people.
One repeats only what the attend
ants at this remarkable meeting unite
In testfying when he says that they
came downstairs not knowing whether
more amazed by the force Of logic that
had fairly won them over or moved by
a {nLpiriptr ANIMAL n which thnN had
listened The conference, called to
refuse the Geran bill, voted to make j
party measure.
A Republican caucus was proposed
to insure party unanimlty against the
bill, but 80 many Republican members
refused in advance to be bound that
the plan was abandoned. The Opposi-
ton had hoped that the senate com
mittec on elections would refuse to re-
port the bill out, but to this Senator
Bradley, n Republican, chairman Of the
committee, declined to be n party.
The senate elections committee did
hold II public hearing arranged by the
opposition. 1t was melancholy af
fair, from their standpoint. The speak
ers who were to dcmoliSh the bill
and by now enthusiastic cannoncers
riddlcd the prctcnsiOns Of the enemy.
Among the expected lights who failed
to come and scintillate for the senate
committee and the public was MIR
John William Griggs McKinley's at
10. nttI Of
stG te during the palmiest days OF I'M
rebukcd mlsruIe. Governor Wilson in
formed the senators that If Mr.. Griggs
appeared he would come himself and
make few remarks suggested by
the former attorney generals speech,
1t would have been n great debate had
II ever come off. The governor waited
In his office, but Mr.. Griggs never
came. The total of the opposition was
represented by James Smith, Jr.'s, pri-
vate secretary. who, after some desul-
tory vaporlngs, sent word to his chief
that open opposition to the Geran bill
was futile.
So now was secret opposition. MI
gent still hung about Trenton, One
day he went into the governors office
things over"
Nugent very quickly lost his temper.
~ know you think you've got the
votes" he exclaimed, II don't know
how you got them"
What do you mean? queried the
governor sharply.
tits the talk OF the statehouse that
you got them by patronage.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. NuGent" said
Governor Wilson, pointing to the door.
you're no gentleman shouted the
discounted boss.
you're no Judge" replied Mr. VII
son, his finger continuing to indicate
the exit
Let us finish with disagreeable sub
ject Of some slight interest In n picture
Of Jersey politics Nugent crept away
Six months later he came again into
the prominence of his kind, Still state
chairman, he was giving dinner to II
small but convivial party Mt "Scotty's,"
restaurant Mt Avon, on the Jersey
coast A party of officers OF the New
Jersey national guard then In camp nj
Sea Girt, near by. WAS seated at an
adjoining table.
Nugcnt sent wine to the officers ia
bic and asked them to join his own
party In n toast The diners at both
tables arose. 81 give YOU" cried M,
gent, "the governor Of the state of
New Jersey"-all glasses were raised;
Nugent finished IA liar and an in
crater
The diners stood moment stupe-
fed, DO | drink aloneG' shouted the
host
lie did drink alone. The glasses
were set down untouched. Some OF
the officers Indignantly threw out THEFT
wine on the floor Then all dispersed
and NuEcnt was left alone.
lhn fplinNinv JnV "A ma inritV Of tht