New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-13
TRENTON UNCANNY, VAIL
AMBITIOUS DEMOCRATS
Wilson's Silence AWes Aspi-
rants for Senate Primary:
Progressive Zeal WaneS.
PILGRIMS ARE MYSTIFlED
Humor Seen in Governors
Summons of Smith and Gore,
for Each Thinks He Is
Choice for Leader.
From The Tribune Bureau. J


Washington, Jan. 12-Democratic pi'-
grims who have journeyed to Trenton arc
struggling back TO the capital with a ST.
lence that is almost awesome. No word
has come from the New Jersey State
House. No message has been carried 20
the waiting hosts, and no single way
farer has returned with credentials show
ing that he is to be the leader Of the
Official" Democratic cause in either
house Of Congress.
There is suspicion, amounting almost to
conviction. that. compared to Governor
Wilson the Sphinx Is talkative. o.
course. when the hopeful pilgrims passed
through the doors of the Governors
office il is to be supposed that great
deal Of talking was done but it is Ger
tainty that the Governor did not do II.
The pilgrims do not say 50. On the con-
trary, they assume An attitude OF one who
Is afflicted with indigestion or who has
been the repository OF solemn secrets.
They gaze abstractedly into the blue sky.
and with the gentlencss that charac
terizes all really great men. say they car
not discuss their visits 10 Trenton. II Is
the old method pursued by newer states
men Of saying they do not know.
Many Schemes for Reform.
When Congress convened for the pres
ent session the Democrats of the Senate,
among whom there are more embryo
leaders than could have been bred in a
dollhouse i'm the days when Aldrichisr'
was at its worst, began TO prepare for
the great future The conservatives,
proftng by the ripeness Of their OK
perience. began to look over the commit
tee lists with the view Of selecting th'
choice chairmanships. The progressives
began to Conspire, with the aid Of VIII
lam Jennings BRYAN. 10 smash the
seniority rule and 10 run the conserVa-
tivcs into the back woods. There ar"
almost as many schemes 10 reorganize
and reform the Senate as there az"
Democrats.
OF course when the summons comes
from Trenton the Senator who receives IT
responds with heavy heart lie whis-
pers to his intimate friends that he Is
well satisfied with his present humble
position. but that IL Mr.. Wilson regards
II as essential TO the good OF the party
that he take the reins Of leadership or
resign his position 10 take a place in the
Cabinet he will make the sacrifice. with
all this reluctance none of them has yet
missed a train.
IL is safe TO say that there has not been
Democratic pilgrim who has not pre-
pared for the summons " having well
defined plan Of how to run Congress ready
TO spring on the Governor the moment
the door OF his office closes on them.
Senator Hoke Smith and Senator Gore.
each fully convinced that he is to be rec
ognized a. the leader Of the Democratic
side. brought no cheering news 10 their
fellow progressives And Senator Martin
the nominal leader at present, but who Is
To- be oUsted as a rcacuonary, according 10
the progressive plans, still wears his Sc
rene smile. Senator O'Gorman, who also
penetrated to the inner shrine Of the New
Jersey sanctuary. and. il j. suspected, has
an idea Of taking commanding position
himself after March (, also returned with
an air of inscrutable silence.
Another Democratic Senator. who shows
no indication OF sprouting the wings Of
leadership. expressed the belief that the
Governor didn't tell them thing.
Il know" he added, he didn't tell me.
Among the aspiring leaders. therefore,
and the conspiriug progressves the ST.
lence at Trenton is becoming uncanny.
The mantle Of apostleship has not been
draped on the shoulders of any Of the pill
grims and nobody has been designated 10
act as high priest OF the Wilson policies.
Tie elaborate plans cf the progressives
are becoming neglected. The zeal displayed
at the outset has dropped many degrees.
If is suspected that the progressive con-
spirators and the embryo leaders VIII be
left To hammer their own anvils without
any aid from the White House.
Some are beginning 10 suspect that Gov
ernor Wilson has a spark Of humor under
his academic demeanor from the fact that
he summoned at the same time Senator
Hoke Smith and Senator Gore, each of
whom thinks he is To be- the Senate lead
er. Consequently there is some uneasness
among ambitious Democrats.
S--