Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-05
PRESIDENT FACING.
FIGHT IN JERSEY
If Leaders See Democratic
Chance They'll Oppose
Mr.. Wilson.
THINK. SENATOR MARITIME
WILL BE Defeated
Followers of James Smith Have Put
Forth No Candidate, Expecting
Republican Success.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

NEWARK, N. J.. July SIN President
Wilson's own state politics and 'skeeters
are perennial. This year there is a big
crop Of both. (Wait a minute: slap!
smack. AS I was going to say. talking
politics and swatting the mosquito are the
two absorbing occupations. However. the
mosquito sQuashing soon becomes a mere
subconscious operation, so no more refer
ence to that
When 1 came into New Jersey pumped
into an interesting rumor, namely. that
reconciliation was imminent between the
Wilson faction of democrats and tho fol-
lowers of former Senator James Smith
and factional leader James R. Nugent.
This rumor naturally fell under the
classification of important. If true" re-
ports. and 1t beloved me to go after it.
Refreshing your memory you Will recall
that ex-senator Smith was for years the
unquestioned leader and master OF New
Jersey democrats. He was responsible
for nominating and electing Prof. Wood
row Wilson Governor Of New Jersy. thus
starting him on the road to the White
House. Later 1t served the purpose of
Gov. Wilson to repudiate Mr.. Smith and
put him in the category Of other rejected
former friends, Col. George Harvey and
'.Marse Henry" Watterson. The two
colonies have since made up with the
President, and all is lovely.
Reconciliation Possibilities.
The suggestion of reconciliation with
former Senator Smith Is important from
the bearing 1t would have upon the
composition OF tho New Jersey delega-
ton to the next democratic national
convention: in other words, whether
-
monious delegation from his own state
in behalf of his denomination.
NV Judgment, formed after careful In
curry, is that the enthusiasm in behalf
faction will depend largely upon
whether 1t is thought that the renomi-
nation of President Wilson will be but
an empty honor. If they think that the
tionai victory in 1916 they are likely to
support the Presidents denomination.
If they conclude that the democratic
party has good chance to carry the
candidates for the nomination. the
President will have to fight for his own
state delegation.
snondent is based upon information
from several sources and is moro or
less a personal prediction.
MI. Smiths idea.
Here Is what Mr.. Smith himself says
upon the subject, quoted verbatim:
LAS to the democracy of the future,
it's success depends upon whether bust
ness Improves, upon European war con-
ditions and upon President Wilson's
course.
were held now the democratic prospect
would not be good"
III those conditions work out favor
ably" Mr.. Smith was asked, will there
be q question of moro than one demo-
cratic candidate for the nomination."
at is too early to say"
The inquiries of The Stars cores
pondent in Camden. Trenton and New
ark disclosed a notable lack of con-
fdence among democrats as to the sue
cess for the party in New Jersey in
1915. OF course, quotation marks will
have to be omitted and there is no
further reference to Senator Smith. The
Is derived from many
sources, honest to goodness" talks
with democrats wherein they gave
their visiting friend the straight truth.
No Chance for MARITIME.
For instance, no well informed demo-
cratic politician. II he speaks his hon