Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-08-08

The conference of members of the Democratic State
County Chairmen at Biggetts at Sea Grit Saturday after
noon ended In a mix-up and wransle after James r.. Nu-
gent had caused State Chairman Charles F. Mcdonald to
announce that the conference had indorsed former State
Senator James A c. Johnson of Englewood for the Demo-
cratic long term nomination and Mayor Fred ". Donnelly.
OF Trenton, for the short term nomination.
These are the men Nugent expects to see supported by
the various county organizations against Assemblynan
Alexander Simpson of Hudson and former State Senator
Charles OConnor Hennessy OF Bergen. The conference
was a great disappointment.
Up to the last minute it had been expected that United
States Court Judge Thomas G. Haight might be induced
to change his mind and make the run for the United States
dlesex would run II Haight did not agree to do so, but
nothing could induce Haisht to accede to the pleas of those
Nugent label.
With Nugent sitting alongside Chairman Mcdonald the
finish.
1t was State Senator Thomas Barber OF Warren who,
at Nugents instigation. proposed the name of johnson for
the longer term nomination, and Secretary of State Martin
Nusent IN n move Z bring about the selection OF johnson.
There were about 80 Democrats at the gathering and
they had dined at State Chairman McDOnaids expense be-
fore the conference. and they had dined well.
Corporation Counsel Milton, Naval Onicer H.. Otto
Wittpenn of Hudson and most Of the other conferees re-
fused to go on record for Johnson and Donnelly and there
was some confusion when Mcdonald finally announced
that the vote was six in favor of the johnson and Donneliy
slate and five against it.
Democratic County Chairman Whitehead of Bergen,
who was out for Hennessy. demanded aFol CALL but Nc
the meeting was declared adjourned.
This is a raw farce" declared County Chairman
Whitehead as the conference broke up. The ticket you
have supposed to indorse is a joke and is enough to make
the entire State laugh. 1t would have been better II this
gathering had never been held. You helped to bring the
laugh on the Democratic organization.
Neither Assembiyman simpson nor formers State Sena-
or Charles o'connor Hennessy of Bergen, who entered the
time ago had been invited to the conference, but they had
friends on hand.
The result OF the conference Saturday was arrived at
under circumstances that can hardly encourage the two
gentlemen who were picked to believe that they achieved
more than empty honors. is the view OF many.
1t soon became apparent that the White House was
keeping its hands on the entire proceedings. and that Nu-
gent was master of the conference.
Congressman Thomas scuIy of MiddIesex. who had
denounced the Nugent slatemakers and who had empha-
Executive Committee was absent. So was FORMER state
Chairman Edward Grosscup. Both sculy and Grosscup
National Committeeman Robert S Hudspeth came
from Hudson with Nav omcer H Otto wittpenn and
Corporation Counsel John Milton and Secretary Of State
Thomas B. Martin
After the cigars had been passed. Chairman Mcdonald
at a nod from Nugent called for expressions of opinions as
10 the United States Senatorial nomination MI. Hudspeth
made a speech without declaring for any candidate for the
While Hudspsth was attacking Gov. Edge. who is Mv-
ing at Sea Girt. the Governor drove by In his auto and
Hudspeth noticing him stopped In his attack on Edge long
enough to remark. There goes the Governor now. He is
on the way with his finish In plain sight"
wittpenn was noticeably silent.
James r. Nugent. to break the silence. got up and
maos = speech also attaeking Edge. he SAID that he spoke
criticized for holding this conference" said Nugent. but II
right to confer. We have a right TO get together and talk
about the man we believe would make the best man for
the race"
Nussnt said that Essex had no candidate to oner but
that 1t would be for the candidate selected by the confer
ence- This slap at Frank MeDermitt. of Essex. who some
time ago entered the race for the nomination. seemed to
bear out the prediction that McDermitt was not TO be re-
garded seriously as a candidate against Simpson and Hem
messy.
Up to this time nobody had yet suggested any candi-
date and 30 State Chairman Mcdonald became q little i'm
patient He called on various men for expressions Of opin-
lon Harry Heller. OF Trenton. ut this 1uncture. named
Mayor Fred w Donneily. OF Trenton. for the long term
nomination and praised the Trenton mayor Then IL was
that Senator Barber. OF Warren. taking HIS cue from Nu-
gent proposed the name Of former State Senator James A.
c. Johnson. of Bergen for the long-term nomination. and
DonnelIy for the short term. Corporation Counsel John
Milton fought shy OF Johnson. but informed the confersnce
that Hudson had a candidate In Asssmblyman simpson He
wished Il clearly understood. however. that he had no au-
thorty TO indorse Mr.. Simpsons candidacy. although he
predicted that simpson would have q large following In