Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-17
Woodrow Wilson
As | Know Him
nv TOSEDu ID rrV1NkTIE Trxy
BY JOSEPH p. TUMULTY
CHAPTER VII q
THE CRISIS OF THE CAMPAIGN

"11O11 SCOI LIZ 1SCSO1O, IO-
gressive leader in the ranks
of the Republican party in Hudson
county, uttered a ringing challenge
to the Democratic candidate to de-
tie the issues of the campaign
with him. The challenge contained
an alternative proposition that the
Democratic candidate either meet
r. Record in joint debate in various
parts of the state or that he answer
certain questions with reference to
the control of the Democratic party
by what Mr.. Record called the "Old
Guard" Mr.. Records letter and
challenge created a profound SC -
ton throughout the state and
brought hope and comfort to the
ranks of the Republican party.
Record emphasized the "Old
Guards control of the convention
at which Wilson was nominated, bas-
ing most of his questions upon this
character of political control. and
openly challenging Wilson, the Dem
ocratic candidate, to say whether the
elements that were dominant at
Trenton in the convention would be
permitted by him, in case of his
election, to influence his action as
governor.
For several days after the letter
containing the challenge reached the
Democratic candidate there was a
gread deal Of apprehension in the
ranks of the Democratic party lest
the candidate should decide to ig-
more the Record challenge, thus Civ
ing aid and comfort to the enemies
of progressivism in the state, or, on
tho L.
cept it and thus give Mr.. Record,
VIII was a most resourceful public
speaker and a leading exponent of
liberalism in the state, chance to
outWit him in public debate. The
letter practically demanded of the
Democratic candidate that he repu-'
date not only the ''Old Guard" but
the active management of his cam.
pa1gn, which had been taken over
by James r. Nugent, one of the
leaders of Essex county, who daily
accompanied the Democratic candi-
date on his tour Of the state.
Care in Answering Mr.. Record
For time it looked as if Mr. Will
son would ignore entirely the Record
challenge. It was plainly evident
from all sides that what appeared to
be his reluctance to take stand in
the matter had turned support away
at time when the sentiment of the
state was rapidly flowing his way
accompanied the candidate on
an automobile tour of the state anG
III our little talks sought to find
out, in diplomatic way, just how
his mind was running on the Record
challenge and how he intended to
meet it. In the automobile with us
on this tour was James r. Nugent,
then the state chairman of the Dem
ocratic committee. ascertained
that even he knew nothing about
the Princetonian's attitude toward
the Record challenge. A significant
remark which the candidate dropped
between meetings" gave me the
first intimation that the Democratic
candidate was, to use ha eeball ex-
preston, ION to the Record curve"
and that he would answer him in so
emphatic and overwhelming a fash
ion that the Republican campaign
would never entirely recover from
the blow.
One day while we were seated in
the tonneau of the automobile dis
cussing the Record challenge, Mr..
Wilson pointed his finger at Jim
Nugent and said, very significantly,
ST intend to reply to Mr.. Record, but
lam sure that it will hurt the feel
ings of this fine fellow"
Straight From the Shoulder
A few days later, without consult
ing any noe, Mr.. Wilson replied to
Records challenge. It was a def
mite, clean-cut, unequivocal repudia-
ton Of the "Old Guards control of
the Democratic party and a. convinc-
ing answer to every question that
had been put to him. It rang true.
Old line Republicans, after reading
this conclusive reply, shook their
heads and said, regretfully, Damn
Record; the campaigns over"
1t was plainly evident that the
crisis of the campaign had been
safely passed and that Mr.. Wilson
was on his waysto the governorship.
In his challenge, Mr.. Record had
addressed to DR.. Wilson nineteen
questions. Mr.. Wilson's reply was
in part as follows:
"You wish to know what my re-
lations would be with the Democrats
whose power and influence you fear,
should I be elected governor, par
LlCu1Cl11y III ouS11 1l11pOl 1IldI"
tiers as appointments and the sign
ing of bills, and I am very glad to
tell you. If elected I shall not either
in the matter of appointment to
office, or assent to legislation, or in
shaping any part of the policy of
my administration, submit to the
dictation of any person, or persons,
special interests" or organizations.
T will o1IuoIy Nuh1an110n o6uinn on6
suggestions from any citizen, Wheth-
er boss, leader, organization man, or
plain citizen, and I shall confidently
seek the advice of influential and
disinterested men representative of
the communities and disconnected
from political organizations entirely;
but all suggestions and all advice
will be considered on it's merits and
no additional weight will be given
to any mans. advice because Of his
exercising, or supposing that he ex-
ercises, some sort of political inf1u
ence or control. I should deem my
self forever disgraced should I, in
even the slightest degree, cooperate
in any such system. I regard my
self as pledged to the regeneration
of the Democratic Party"
Mr. tIeCoEu dlSo luQulFeo' DO you
admit that the boss system exists
as 1 have described it? If so, how
do you propose to abolish it?"
Plain Talk About Bosses
Mr.. Wilson said:
"Of course admit it. It's exist
ence is notorious. I have made it
my business for many years to OBJ
serve and understand that system,
and hate it as thoroughly as I un-
derstand it. You are quite right in
saying that the system is bipartisan;
that is constitutes the most dan
gerous condition in the public life
of our state and nation today and
that it has virtually, for the time
being, destroyed representative gov
eminent and in its place set up