. Woodrow Wilson, the story of his life. born opponents that 192 WOODROW WILSON they debate the question with him in public intheir own districts. From time to time theGovernor issued public statements regardinghis measures; in one he expressed the fear thathe might have to name the men who were pre-paring to be faithless to the platform promisesand to betray the people. He never had to dothis; when it came to a vote, as we shall see,there was nobody to name worth naming. On the opening of the legislature, January10, 1911, it was with difficulty that sponsorscould be found to introduce the Gov
. Woodrow Wilson, the story of his life. born opponents that 192 WOODROW WILSON they debate the question with him in public intheir own districts. From time to time theGovernor issued public statements regardinghis measures; in one he expressed the fear thathe might have to name the men who were pre-paring to be faithless to the platform promisesand to betray the people. He never had to dothis; when it came to a vote, as we shall see,there was nobody to name worth naming. On the opening of the legislature, January10, 1911, it was with difficulty that sponsorscould be found to introduce the Governorsbills. Few believed that a single one of themcould be forced through before the end of thesession. Very well, then, we shall have tohave a special session to do it, was GovernorWilsons undismayed reply. However, let ushope that wont be necessary. First in order came up the Primary ElectionsBill, to which an Assemblyman from MonmouthCounty had allowed his name to be given: theGeran Bill. This revolutionary piece of legislation con-. Z H <; -s O 2 2 - 6 Z o « 5 « CO s s A PROGRESSIVE GOVERNOR 193 templated the turning over of both, or all,political organizations to the people; conven-tions, so easily manipulated by nominatingbosses, were done away with. All candidatesfor office from that of constable to Presidentwere to be nominated directly by ballot of thepeople; all party officers, committeemen, dele-gates to national conventions, and the like, wereto be so elected by popular ballot, and theprimary elections at which all this was to bedone were to be conducted by the state understrict laws, the election officers being chosenfrom citizens who have passed special civilservice examinations. The respective partyplatforms were to be written by the partyscandidates for the legislature, meeting togetherwith the state committee — the men who, ifelected, were themselves to carry out the plat-form promises. To those who understand the significance ofthe great movement for t
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