The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-06
FIVE SEEK CONGRESS SEAT
Politicians Think Desertion OF
Wage Farmers May Swamp
Old Parties. .

plurality for their candidate, Gordon
Demarest. as successor to the late Repre-
sentative Robert q. Bremner.
Demarest. who Is not yet &c years old,
IL giving State and national leaders in
the Democratic and Republican Dartes
more real concern than the question OF
the Endorsement or disapproval of the
policies OF the Wilson Administration.
which is admitted to be at stake In the
election. Demarest. in his campaign. is
being aided by Socialist organizations
throughout the country.
The men OF the old line parties realize
that Demarest has a chance OF winning
and they are bending every energy to
keep away from Washington a reoee-
sentative OF the Socialist party.
The Socialists themselves-and Passaic
county is the strongest Socialist centre in
New Jersey-declare that the race Ia be-
tween Demarest and Dow II. Drukker,
the Republican candidate. and that the
Democratic nominee James ]. O'Byrne,
will be a bad third.
Admit Fear of Demarest.
The Republican leaders say that
Drukker has no reason to fear anybody
but Demarest and are appealing to the
patriotism OF all voters to check what
seems to be strong Socialist wave.
Although normally Republican, Passaic
county possesses n bigger percentage OF
Independent voters than any other county
In the state. II is an industrial centre
as indicated by its many silk and iron
mills In Paterson and it's woo!len mills in
Passaic city.
An evidence OF its independent spirit IL
shown by the fact that in 1912 Robert
G.. Bremner, Democrat. was sent TO Con-
xress by a plurality of 1894 in the dis
trict. while in the same election Col
Roosevelt. Progressive, carried the county
by plurality OF Ssl. Last fall Edward
c. Stokes. the Republican candidate for
Governor, got a total OF 10.367 votes,
against 9.S52 for Gov. James +, Fielder
President Wilson's candidate.
Furthermore. United States Senator
William Hughes. Democrat. represented
the Seventh Congress New Jersey dis
trict for hve terms at Washington. during
which time the Republicans elected most
OF their county officers. Senator Hughes
had the almost solid backing of the
wage earners in the country, but the politl-
cal revolution among the mill operatives
and others. as shown by the lively Social
list campaign. indicates that many work
men are not disposed to vote for his
secretary. James j. OByrne, the regular
Democratic candidate.
Mill Strike started Movement.
The big movement among the Passaic
county Socialists had Its beginning In the
great Paterson silk mill and dye house
strike OF year ago, which was lost by
the strikers.
Delegation after delegation of strikers
went TO Washington" said Gordon Dem
Arrest to-day. land asked Hughes to bring
about an investigation Of industrial con-
ditions in Paterson and Passaic mills, but
IL never came. Now he comes here and
tries to thrust his secretary upon us as
Congressman. Billy Hughes was king OF
Passa.c county for twelve years. on
Tuesday viii come his Waterloo. His
secretary will 10 the third man in the
race. as the working people will not stand
for him"
The Socialist campaign is being waged
on the promise that ii pemarest is elected
ne will not let go until he induces Con-
gress 10 order an investigation into work.
ing conditions and wages in the Paterson
and Passaic mills, and there is no doubt
that this pledge is having its effect among
the workers.
More or less interest is added to
Demarests fight by tho fact that he Is
a quiet unassuInng. beardless young man.
born OF poor parents. who for the last
five years has trimmed automobile for a
living.
Ran Close Race for Mayor.
Demarest ran for Mayor OF this city
last fall and was second man in the race.
with a total OF 5,Ois votes. Mayor Robert
VI. Fordyce. Republican. received 1925
votes but had many Democratic su porters.
These Democrats. fearing Dcmarest
would win. voted for Fordyce. 1t is be-
lieved Demarest would islve been elected
but for these Democratic votes cast for
Fordyce.
Demarest has been secretary OF tho
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