Rock Island Argus., 1913-03-01
CHAPTER K.
Out Of Prineston Into Politics.

IS other commonwealth in this
Union OF States. 1t was in the grip of
the politicians and the corporations,
and the good people resident within its
borders had about as much voice in the
management of their public affairs as
they had in deciding the weather or de-
termining the phases Of the moon For
years the state government had been
run by agents OF the interests"
Latterly it was the Republican or
ganizaton that had been in power at
Trenton. but the system was really a
bipartisan one. The Republican boss
es had come to be known as the board
of guardians" in which the public serv-
ice, railroad, insurance and other cor
poration interests were duly represent
ed. The Democratic organization was
the private property OF James Smith.
Jr.. q politician who had made his way
into the United States senate and who
had retired from that body under crit
icisms connected with certain scandals
incidental TO the framing of the Will
son tariff. Ex-senator Smith is a pol
ished man Of affairs whose business in
terests are identical with those of his
friends on the Republican board of
guardians" His chief lieutenant was
James r. Nugent, a typical representa-
tive Of the old style strong arm meth
DDS in politics.
However, the great moral movement
which during the last FIVE years has
been abroad In the land had not left
New Jersey unaware OF its gathering
power. The leaders of both parties
were forced TO heed 1t. In the Repub-
lican party Everett Colby. George I.
Record and others stirred up a dan.
gerous enthusiasm among new idea
Republicans" Somehow, somewhere.
by some one, there was suggested to
Mr.. Smiths organization a plan Of
getting aboard the reform wagon and
riding on 1t into power The fight
against privilege and the champion
ship of democracy in college life cap
tanned by the president OF Princeton
universita had attracted the attention
of the state and now suggested him
as man who could lead a party to vic
tory under the banner OF political re
IeTil. lItSlltHI W llStU WAS Il SlEutIi
Of public affairs of authority through
out the country. He was an accom-
pliShcd and persuasive speaker. Il man
Of lofty character and winning person
ality Indeed. from outside the state,
from the press OF many cities, had come
the suggestion that the nation would
he fortunate If it could place such a
-, Il IL, L.,
II is easy enough to see how the IL n
OF running Wilson for governor needed
only present itself 10 the ima gnation
] of Shrowd boss 10 become Immediate
lv cOugeniaI The Democratic leader no
doubt naturally imagined that a learn
ed COlleTian would be as putty I'm the
hands OF an experienced politician n.
especially If his eyes were rose spoc
tacled by the promise of nomination
for preai dent.
During ;Er carly summer OF 1871
President Wilson was told by mum
/ Der Of his friends that he could prOba
by have the Democratic nomination
+ for governor if he desired it These
intimatiOnS became so numerous and
So pointed and We're accompanied by
so many assurances of the benefit the
party and the state would derive from
his acceptance that Mr. Wilson was
constrained 10 lend them a favorable
ear.
And yet the prospective nominee was
profoundly puzzled While sentiment
among the best class of voters through
out the state WAS strong. the practical
! ov2rtures came from the organization
headed 10y Smith. Mr.. Wilson was per
fectly aware OF ex-senator Smiths po
litical character and history. He knew
what the organization was. How could
such a gang support him? Were they
deceiying themselves as 10 their man.
Did they fancy that his lifelong de
testatiOn OF corrupt politics was simply
pose? Did Smith regard the school
master as a simple soul who would
hand out corporation favors without
knowing? Did he expect to get Unit
! ed States senatorship through the Dem
ocratic legislature which Wilson's pop
Ularity was likely TO elect?
i On that point Mr. Wilson made spe
ci6c inquiry Of the gentlemen who
came TO him on their puZZling errand
He required their assurance that Mr
Smith would not seek the senatorship
J Were be TO do 50 while ! was gov
ernor," he told them, 81 should have tC
oppose him. He represents everything
repuCnaut 10 my convictions" They
told him categoricaIly that Smith haC
no idea OF going back to the senate
that re was n man thought to be sicl
with q dangerous constitutional all
ment and borne down by domestic be
reavement and that he was definitely
out Of politics.
On Tuesday. July II. 1910 number
OF gentlemen gathered in a private
room OF the Lawyers club, 12O Broad
way, New York, TO inquire Of Mr.. VII
son whether he would allow his name
10 be presented TO the New jersey
Democratic state convention.
On July - Mr.. Wilson issued pub
lie statement in which he said that i
II were the wish of a decided majori
" Of the thoughtful Democrats Of th'
state" that he should be their candi
date for governor he would accept th'
nomination.
The announcement caused A sensa
ton. IL was received with enthusiasm
by many men of both parties. ie