The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-10-26
Where Does He Really BeIonp2

Perhaps THE NEWS ought not to say
much in opposition to the candidacy Of
James Mercer Davis, who seeks to be
elected senator on the Democratic ticket
because up to within a short time Mr.
Davis has acknowledged himself to be a
Republican. In 1911 he filed a petition
to be member Of the Assembly, but he
was not successful at the primary, and
he awaited his turn for the next year,
when he filed petition for the Office he
now seeks, both his petitions being
for favor from the Republican party,
whose principles he OF course expected
to push forward with the same vigor
that he is now advocating Democracy.
But there was another phase of the stu
alton. In 1912 the Roosevelt Progressive
party was organized in this county at a
meeting held in the court house. Two
weeks previous to this gathering Mr..
Davis had filed petition as candidate
for the Republican nomination for State
Senator. At the meeting of the new
party a resolution was offered to have
the organization endorse Mr.. Davis as
it's candidate for State Senator. There
was turmoil and confusion over this
resolution, and there were some harsh
remarks before the debate ended There |
was disposition to have the subject
downed without any discussion, but |
finally Rev. Mr.. Bostwick, of Vincen-
town, was given the floor and he spoke |
in behalf of the applicant for favor. He |
said he was not working for the man but
for principle, and that Mr.. Davis put
principle above himself and if he was !
nominated would work heart and soul
for the Progressive party. Rev. Mr..
Bostwick's remarks we're brought out by
the offering of resolution detrimental
to the political career of Mr.. Davis and
stating that it was fraudulent effort to
steal the nomination and deceive the
party" At the close of the clergyman's
talk he moved that the convention en-
dorse Mr.. Davis, and then the fireworks
began. Charles P. Farmer said that
when the subject Of naming candidate
was considered at a previous preliminary
meeting, it was decided not to endorse
any one who ran on the Republican
ticket. A Palmyra representative said:
We do not want any candidate that is
tainted with Republicanism. Joseph.
Beck Tyler, chairman of the meeting +
voiced the sentiment that Mr.. Davis had
placed his name on ticket which Pro-
could not use, and the candi-
date was not the kind of man they
were looking for. Joseph r. Gillian re-
ferred to the preliminary meeting, and
said 1t was the sense of that gathering
that Mr.. Davis be endorsed, and finally
Mr.. Davis was given the privilege of the
f1oor and gave very concise statement
Of the situation, but the resolution to en-
dorse him was voted down and William
b. Shedaker was nominated.
Then Mr.. Davis contested with Sena-
tor White in the primary and was de-
[eated by over 100 votes. The Herald,
two weeks ago, came out in q fulsome {
item in which 1t lauded the Democratic :
candidate to the skies, but a perusal of {
the tiles OF that paper within the last &
two years will show very different ,
feeling from that now expressed.
So far as Mr.. Davis is concerned THE
NEWS has no personal feeling against
him, but as Republican paper, with
good candidate for State Senator in the
person. of Harold B. Wells, man
against whom nothing has been said
hat will affect his character as citizen,
! lawyer, or loyal Republican all the
lime, we feel that it is our duty to urge
every good citizen to cast his vote for
our candidate. While, if elected, as we
certainly think he will be, his name will
De found at the bottom of the voting
list in the Senate, he will not be a nom
entity, but this county will be represent
I'd in manner that will be satisfactory
70 all, and there will not be any reason
% blush for the actions of the man who
Will occupy the seat in the higher branch J
If the legislature.