Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-12-23

OF W|TTPENN
GOES ASTRAY
Democratic Conference Plans
Upset by Shafts of
Publicity.
sKIDs WERE PREPARED
FOR SENATOR MARITIME
Ticket Slate Is Wittpenn for
Governor, denomination for
Farmer JIM"

Ways and means for the sidetrack-
ing of H. Otto Wittpenn's guberna-
torial candidacy was indeed the big
object which prompted the calling of
the Democratic conference at Tren-
/, ton next Wednesday. The second
aim was the advancement of some
candidate against United States
Senator James E. MARITIME.
These facts came to light in politi-
cal circles today. but it appears now
that both OF these objects have been
| virtually abandoned. The conference.
1t Is expected. will resolve itself into
a mild discussion of things in gen
eral," unless there is radical and
] unexpected change in the situation.
That Senator MARITIME cannot be
defeated for denomination and that
the gubernatorial nomination can
scarcely be withheld again from Mr..
Wittpenn, is the conclusion reached
by q number of the leading Demo-
Gratis Of the State in both the Witt
penn and Wittpenn camps, it
was ascortained today.
| Those not yet admitting the con-
tfnued ascendancy of the Wittpenn
| star and the strength of MARITIME in a
primary are still looking for dark
| horses" capable Of carrying the day.
Confounded more than they admit by
the action of Lucius 7. Russell in
kicking over the traces. however. they
are approaching the point where they
must bow to the Inevitable.
| Despite intimatiohs and some recent
indications to the contrary. 1t can
] also be stated positively that the
moving spirits in the coming confer
ence had no intention Of bringing
Governor James f. Fielder forward
| for the senatorial nomination. The
governors sincerity in denying that
! he would be a candidate has been
definitely established. In order to re-
| habilitate his law practice. if for no
other reason, hesis absolutely through
1 with office-holding.
The miiitants among the anti Witt
pennies are willing to enter any COM
bination with Wittpenn that does not
have for its purpose the nominating
\ Of Wtttpenu for governor. That is
| they would even accept him as d
candidate for United States senator
and would back somebody for COVER
nor inclined. toward the Wittpenn side,
! il the former mayor of Jersey City
were willing.
The antis would preferably have
Comptroller Edward l. Edwards as
| the guber1iatorial candidate, and there
win undoubtedly continue to be much
talk of his running.
| The principals among the conferees
had any number of combinations to
suggest. 1t Is believed, though no one
could be found who would disclose
| their makeup. In a general way,
though, and regardless Of denials that
may follow, the elimination of Mar
! tine and Wittpenn were planned. In a
lpinch. MARITIME would have been ac-
cepted.
Double Significance.
The editorial printed by Mr.. Russell
in his Elizabeth newspaper and re-
printed broadcast throughout the
political developments Of the winter.
Those not well acquainted with the
president of the State Board of Taxa
ton may not appreciate this as well
as those familiar with the workings
of Russell's brain. There is no one
! In the State quicker to size up a sit
uation and to pick a winner than
! this same Mr.. Russell, and when one
finds him saying as follows it means
quite a lot indeed:
Some foolish dreams have robbed
them (the governor and the confer
ence leaders, of their sanity. for evi-
IDENTIFY their little conspiracy is laid
! in the vain hope that Wittpenn and
| MARITIME will fsuceumb to laughing
gas, while the ing-makers, through
| the use of a pulmotor and an incu-
bator. will produce sufficient aninia-
| tion in their borh statesmen to
| foist upon the Democratic party a
! combination of mediocres and high
| brows, fit finish for the slaughter
| house that awaits them-1
| The fact that Mr.. Russell was ap-
pointed head of the tax board through
his alignment with Fielder. Secretary
of State Thomas F. Martin and some
other friends of the latter, makes his
action doubly significant. More than
pique at not being invited to the con-
| ference would be required to move
| Mr.. Russell to say the things he did
!, yesterday about the governor
The crumbling of the plans for
| Wednesdays conference marks the
| second failure that has attended the
| efforts of the governor and State
Chairman Edward e. Grosscup to
! vanquish Senator MARITIME. Upon
their visit to the White House sew
eral wekes ago they were told in eff
feet that there was no tangle in Jer-
sey politics that could not be unrav-
eled better in New Jersey than in
Washington The inside history of
the visit was told at that time in The
| Star This rebuff did not mean, how
ever, that the governor and State
chairman were to return home and
arrange a conference that was to do
the work of a September primary.
The governor has again showed an
unfortunate lack of knowledge of
practical politics by the way in which
Ihe went about arranging the confer
ence. If there was to be conference
at all it is the consensus of opinion
that every county should be repre-
sented and that the party machinery
| should be utilized. Only a scattered
few State committeeman were in
vited, the county chairmen were ig-
nored, the Democratic senator's were
| left off the list and there was abso-
/ luteiy no thought of geographical
considerations.
The great county of Essex, for in
stance, upon which depends control of
| the state Legislature, was ignored.
Bergen. an important county. was
Ignored. Union was left off the list.
! And several of the smaller counties
were likewise treated. On the other
lhand, Warren, with its handful of
Ivotes. was to be represented by two
/ of its statesmen Hudson was to have
representation Of five or six.