The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-03-31
WILSON LEADS FIGHT
IN JERSEY THIS WEEK
Stirring Times Expected at
Trenton Over Jury
Reform Bill.
TEST FOR PRESIDENT
Ex-senator Smith Behind Op-
pOsition-COntest for
Governor Hinges.
EST FOR PRESIDENT

whether President Wilson shall remain
the guiding spirit OF the destinies OF
the State party or whether the honors
shall be taken from him by ex-senator
James Smith. whom Wilson unhorsed
as state leader.
The test will come over an attempt
to put through jury reform bill and
resurrect the constitutional convention
bill. both OF which have failed In part
as u result OF Smiths efforts.
The President insists that these pro-
| believed Mr.. Smith would find a lot Of
form pledges. made to be KEEP, and
Governor James F, Fielder. who is a
Wilson man. is doing his best to help
the President.
Ex-senator Smith is being repre-
sented in the Legislature by his old time
ally. Jim Nugent. OF Newark. who has
pressed the button in the exciting days
OF the present session from a seat in
the Assembly chamber directly back Of
the Essex delegation
The success Of the opponents Of the
Wilson policies has been due in large
degree. not because the Wilson Demo-
| Gratis have lost a particle OF faith in
Mr. Wilson, but because there have been
| local objections TO the measures
The men who are leading the anti
Wilson fight are making good use OF
this opposition for the purpose chiefly
OF thwarting the President in his desires
and 10 cause his programme to miscarry
In order to lead the Democrats OF the
state to believe that Mr.. Wilson has
lost his grip. Incidentally, II is generally
believed. Mr.. Smith would find a lot OF
satisfaction in posing once more as the
man at the helm OF the State D-moc-
| racy.
President Wilson Is particularly anx-
ious that there shall be Jury reform In
the state. He originally favored the
appointment by Judges OF commission on :
to select juries. There was much oppo-
sition to this and then he advocated
| jury commissions to be named by the
| Governor.
| The Senate passed this bill and the
! Assembly tackled on an amendment with
referendum clause submitting the
proposition 10 the voters for their ap-
| proval. The Senate objected to that.
and things came to such pretty
pass that the President wrote to acting
| Gov. Fielder that II he found it inpos-
.s!ble to put Jury reform bill through
at an extra session. he the President
might come to New Jersey between ses-
sions and make at least one address on
| the subject.
| There will be a meeting OF the con-
ference committee OF the Senate and the
| House at Trenton to-day at which an
attempt will be made to decide on some
jury reform programme that will be
satisfactory all around
l
/ mnlstration OF the corrupt practices act
| and the new election laws will be i'm
possible without jury reform.
In Hudson county last Friday Hud-
son county jury was discharged by
County Judge Robert Carey withou,
the thanks OF the court for falling tc
return indictments aga inst two Hoboker
politicians for alleged crooked work al
a Hoboken election on the strength OF
confessions OF two New Workers now
serving terms in State Prison for vot
ing six times. For many years there
have been many scandals IN Hudson
by reason OF Grand Juries protectinl
certain individuals and interests. ant
the same conditions have existed ir
other counties. This IL what Presiden
Wilson is trying TO prevent in tnsistins
that there shall be jury reform legis
lation.
The chief fault found with the prop
osition that the Governor should ap
point the Jury commission was that 1
would enable him. II he felt so dis
posed. to do Just exactly what sheriff
have been guilty OF doing-name tur'e
that wouldn't indict II II was in the IN
terest of anybody not to do so.
Combined with the legislative mixul
are the plans of the Wllsonites. plaiI
Democrats and the old time follower
OF the machine to nominate a candidate
for Governor in the fall. The hJh
promises to be the most exciting on
that the party has had in many years
Thus far the men In the race are actin
Gov. Fielder, who lives in Jersey city
H. Otto Wittpenn. Mayor OF that city
and former Mayor Frank Katzenbacl
OF Trenton. who once ran for Governo
. and missed by a comparatively sma
ma iorty.
The followers Of Senator Smith ar
with Katzenbach. Fielder and Witt
penn are Wilson men. but the Presi
dent has never publicly expressed
preference, although It Is generally be
lleved that Fielder would never hav
gone into the race unless Mr.. Will
: son had suggested that the move wa
good one. The Smith people ar
hoping that Fielder and Wittpenn wi
- split things up In order to max
. :. smoother sailing for Katzenbach.
!, Fielder In an address at Atlanti
. City on Saturday denied IAN innuend
made by Wittpenn" that "the ol
gang" was back Of his. Fielders can
, didacy.
= Tho Republicans. split by the trouble
Of tho past. are In no shape for an ei
|, fective fight. although they hope I
. make good one. Their princips
y plan Just now Is to sit Tight and ne
what the Democrats are going to d.
Y Former Governor Edward Caspa
q Stokes is leading a movement to brin
a the regular Republicans and the Pre-
: lgressives together. 1t Is known that NJ
= Stokes wouldn't refuse a Gubernatori,
:, nomination from a reunited party.
:, The Progressives, of which Georg
l.. Record IL the most conspicuou
. leader. are opposed to any union excev
y, under Progressive platforms and wit
4, out and out Progressives as candidate O
- Among the men who would like I
> get a Progressive nomination for Go,