Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-06-23
HAGUE AGAIN HAS HIS WAY

Court Judge George S. Sizer of Metuchen, as his candidate
for the gubernatorial nomination, and he got him. Hague
is determined TO show how completely he has supplanted
Jim Nugent as the Democratic leader in the state. 1t yet
remains for the rank and file of the Democratic party to
swallow the Hague dose and make the Hudson county brand
of politics the standard for the party throughout the state.
1t was Hague that forced Governor Edwards into the
race for the United States senatorship. The governor had
practically given up the idea of running, especially after the
hot shot fired by Barney Cannon. The governors reason for
not desiring to run was the objection raised by the directors
of the bank in Jersey City of which he is the president. But
Hague never gave up. He insisted that Edwards would be
the candidate. And Hague had his way. Frank Hague has
been the power behind the governor all through the present
administration and should the governor become United
States senator the power of Hague would be extended TO
Washington in the dictation of federal appointments, as lar
as the influence of a Democratic senator would count.
But in picking a United States senator Hague is not go
ing to j~eopardize his power in state affairs. With hudson
county solldlv Democratic it is an easy matter for him to
control twelve votes in the assembly and one vote in the
senate. This is an enormous power to begin with All tnatI
is necessary. then. is for him to have the governorship in the
palm of his hand to force enough others into line to give
him absolute mastery of the state. It's an AMBITIOUS program
but Hague seems to be getting away with it thus far.
In the announcement of Judge Silzer that he Will be a
candidate for the gubernatogial nomination on the Demo-
cratic ticket Hague has scored again. Judge Silzer, per-
sonallv. is a high class man and would make a good public
official. but he knows, and the whole state knows, that II he
nn,eeted governor of New Jersey it will be by the grace OF
ESak Hague and, try as he may, he will be unable 10 Tree
81 administration from the faint of Frank Hague. Hague is
- OF the modest kind when it comes to debating policies ana
Judee Silzer is not the kind of a man to accept the services
of a man. especially such services as Hague can slve' ana
then throw him down.
Judge snzer is no novice in politics. He knows what
If means to associate himself so closely with a man OF the
Hague type; TO accept the Hague leadership. The people
also must know what it means.
Thus far the issue is entirely within the Democratic
ranks. Hague is not to go unchallenged, as far as the gov
crnship is concerned, if State Banking Commissioner VIII
liam E. futile, Jr, remains in the race. Mr.. futile an
nounced his candidacy some time ago in spite OF the TACT
that Frank Hague refused to give his approval. Hague was
not sure of futile so he looked about for someone else anc
finally settled upon Judge Silzer to whom he has SUCK III u
way that indicates that he knows what he wants when he
wants it. In fact, the Hague persistency Tor ollzer mas neeh
the Judges greatest handicap from the beginning ahc 1t Is
going to continue to be the issue all through the calhPaSh'
Hague is going about the state Dragging of his great
nower in debating appointments. Mrs. H. n. Simmons,
Union county member of the Democratic state committee,
has already taken him to task for his speech before a gather
ing of Italians in Newark last Sunday when Hague is quoted
as declaring that he was responsible for the appointment Oh
an Italian assistant prosecutor of Essex county-an appoint
ment, by the way, of which no one need feel proud-ahd ne
also is quoted as saying that he oflered tne A'iah'1 county
iudpesbip to an Italian who refused it. OF course, the gov
ernor is supposed to make these appointments, Dut III com
mon knowledge that while it is the voice oil Governor Ed
wards. the hand that picks the men is the hand of Hague.
No one can conceive of Frank Hague being so strongly
in favor of a certain man for governor, no matter no" mae
nendent that man NAV appear to be, without feeling certain
of his ground Hague is no novice in politics, either, and he
is not being fooled in making his political selecuohs' Il
doesn't make much difference what Judge Silzer's platform
m be. the fact that he is Frank Hagues man and that his
selection as the parly's candidate for governor means the
fastening of the Hague grip on the party all the more secure
". will be the main issue in the coming primary campaign.
incidentally, the Sizer announcement brings up an in
teresting development in Middlesex county. The prominent
mart played by Judge DAILY in furnishing a way Tor the Judge
Ia declare himself would indicate a renewed effort to unseat
.Rarneyr Cannon as a Democratic leader here. Gannon's
xhroadside against the governor OF a month or two ago is
slil the talk of the state, and what is aimed at the governor
is. of course, aimed at Frank Hague. 1t is no secret in poll
! ,ical circles that there has been a desire among certain Mid
| dlesex Democrats TO unseat Cannon and, in view Of past his
torv. lannon's influence would not be very great should Sill
ger win.
Cannon is not a man to bolt his party, yet to back Silzer
will be playing into the hands of those who have been
wing ITO get' him for long time. Truly, it is going to be
very remarkable campaign J