New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-15
WILSON CRUSHES FOES
His Candidate for State Treas
urer Wins in Caucus.
ONLY FIVE OPPOSING VOTES
Meeting Held After Deliberate
Attempt by Smith Nugent
Men to Prevent It.
lRy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Trenton, n j.. Jan 1.-THE most crush
ing blow that Governor Wilson has yet
administered 10 the Smith-Nugent Gle
mcut Of the Democratic party was given
to-day. when Edward f. Grosscup. Of
Wcnonah, state chairman OF the Demo
cratic party. was chosen as the Demo
cratic candidate for State Treasurer at
the caucus Of the majority members of
the Senata and House. Mr. Grosscup re-
ceived q votes, while State Controller
Edward ]. Edwards got only 3. Those
who supported Mr. Edwards were Sera-
tor James +. Fielder, Senator Richard
Fitzherbcrt and Assemblymen Martin,
McDermott and McGrath.
The caucus was held after a deliberate
effort on the part Of men controlled by
former State Chairman James K. Nugent
To prevent meeting. At the time desig-
mated for the meeting the Nugent men
did not appear and when the caucus was
finally called they gradually left the room.
Asscmblyman John 4. Matthews, Of Is
sex County, was the only member of that
delegation who stayed In the room and
ne made "A strong speech advocating the
selection OF State Chairman Grosscup.
The defeat OF Mr.. Edwards was over
whelming. He did not show the boosted
strength. and before the clerk announced
the vote Senator Fielder moved that the
selection be made unanimous When word
was taken to Governor Wilson that once
more he had downed the reactionary ele-
ment Of the party he merely said the
vote was just what he had expected. Mr..
Grosscup personally thanked the Gov
ernor for his kindly interest. The eXecu-
tive responded:
Il want TO congratulate you from the
bottom Of my heart"
Assemblyman Kuhlke Of Hudson. placed
the name of Mr. Grosscup i'm nomination.
and IT was seconded by Mr.. Matthews,
of Essex and Mr. Ackley. Of cumber-
hand Mr. Matthews said service was the
measure Of a mans work and Mr. Gross
cup stood high on tho honor roll OF those
who had served the Democratic party. lie
referred 10 him rs the honorable and hon
est I'd Grosscup. Mr. Ackley spoke OF
the father Of the candidate. Charles
GrOsscup, who ran for Congress many
years ago. and said the candidate was a
worthy son Of hts father.
Senator Fielder put the name Of Mr..
Edwards before the caucus. lie said he
was personal friend and man Of honor
and integrity
Senator Fielder also pointed out that
there was 10 ho H political advantage to
be- gained I'm the selection OF Controller
Edwards. iu that his selection as State
Treasurer would insure the control OF the
state House Commission by the Democrats
Tor at least three years. az q successor
10 Mr. Edwards as Controller would have
10 be named The nomination was sec
oud,d hr AsSemblyman Walter McDcr-
mott. Of Hudson.
During the rollcall some person in the
room answered 10 the name OF Assem-
lblymau Bloom. OF Essex. and voted for
Edwards Mr. Matthews. however. was
Immediately on his feet. and called atten-
ton 10 the fact that Asscmblyman Bloom
was not IN tho room IL later developed
that the person who voted for Mr. Ed
wards was follower OF James II Nu-
cent.