Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-01-30

tors and assemblymen to make it a
habit to come to see him and talk
things oyer-famiiarly. but never Sc
cretir. Those who did not come he
sent for on one pretext or another. and
Vhe matter of the bills naturally came
IN. He told them that he had nc
patronage To dispose of. no promises
TO make and no warnings to issue. hut
he should like to have them consider
the bills on their merits and let him
know where they stood.
Heretofore Republican governors
had consulted Republican members
and Democratic governors had consult
ed Democratic members. Wilson con
suited members Of both parties. He
talked to them all alike of the good
Of the commonwealth. To Democrats
he added arguments based on the plat
form promises. He made it clear that
he considered himself chosen party
leader. but he gave no orders-he
would not be boss. The nearest
that he ever came to a threat was In
the suggestion to few stubborn op
ponents that they debate the question
with him in public in their own dis
tricts. From time to time the COVER
nor issued public statements regarding
his measures. In one he expressed the
fear that he might have to name the
men who were preparing to be faith
less to the platform promises and t.
betray the people.
On the opening of the legislature
Jan. 10, 1911, it was with difficulty
that sponsors could be found to intro
duce the governors bills. Few believ.
ed that single one Of them could be
forced through before the end of the
session. Very well. then; we shall
have to have special session to do
it," was Governor Wilson's undismay.
ed reply. However. let us hope that
won't be necessary"
First in order came up the primary
elections bill. to which an assembly
man from Monmouth county had al
lowed his name to be given-the Geran
bill.
This revolutionary piece of legisla.
ton contemplated the turning over of
both or all political organizations to
the people. Conventions, so easily ma
nipulated by nominating bosses. were
done away with. All candidates for
office from that Of constable to presi-
dent were to be nominated directly by
ballot Of the people: all party officers.
committeeman. delegates to national
conventions, and the like. were to be
SO elected by popular ballot.
To those who understand the signi1-
canoe Of the great movement for the
resumption by the people Of the direct
powers Of government it would have
been sufficiently astonishing that a
governor of state like New Jersey
should have thought it worth while to
make to his legislature such an au-
dacious proposal as the direct primary,
with popular selection Of United States
senators. popular nomination of presi-
dental candidates and popular choice
II party officers. This meant the kill.
ing of the bosses; it meant the ex-
tlnction of corporation controlled Or
CARNATIONS; 1t meant everything that
New Jersey had never had and that
The professional politicians and the big
business interests could never permit
1t 70 have
No wonder there vas battle royal!
James r. Nugent was in active d.
rection of the opposition. Ex-senator
Smiths relation, he urged the lin
crate" argument; Wilson knew no
honor and would knife the men who
assisted him; state chairman. he was
officially in command Of the party or
ganization and could promise and
threaten with the prestige of fifteen
long years of almost unopposed party
supremacy against this new governors
bare month of troubled experience.
Nugent easily arranged coalition
with the Republicans. Their organiza-
ton was equally threatened. and far
greater than the fall Of the minority
party bosses would be that Of the
Republican board Of guardians" II
the Republican majority still in con-
troll of the senate stood pat the Geran
hill would fail there. but Nugent
wanted more: he wanted the Demo
cratic lower chamber to repudiate the
governors plan. He was SO confident
that this could be managed that he
arranged for a conference on the bill
as preliminary test.
It was fatal error.
The governor heard Of the confer
ence and genially suggested that he
be invited. 1t was unprecedented for
governor to attend legislative eau
Gus, but it would have been awkward
to decline to invite him If he wanted to
come. So he went.
The gathering was In the supreme
court room, on the second floor Of the
statehouse. One assemblyman. Martin
challenged the governors Intervention
He had no constitutional right to inter
fere in legislation. Had it not been
written by them of old time that the
executive and legislative branches
must be kept sacredly apart? The
governor replied by drawing from his
pocket the Legislative Manual ant
reading clause Of the constitution
which directed the governor Of New
Jersey to communicate with the legis
lature at such times as he might deem
necessary and to recommend sucl
measures as he might deem expedient
He was there, he continued. in pursu
ance of a constitutional duty to recon-
mend a measure Of that character.
In noble fashion did he recommen,
it. That conference lasted four and
half hours. For three hours of it MI