George M. La Monte to Woodrow Wilson
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My dear Mr. Wilson
Upon my return from Saranac Lake, I sent you a telegram yesterday morning. Since then I have met with Mr. Wittpenn, Mr. Grosscup, Mr. Hudspeth and other friends of Mr. Wittpenn; and your letter to Mr. Wittpenn was read to us. Needless to say I am extremely disappointed.
Last Spring, you thought that if I resigned my position as Commissioner of Banking & Insurance in New Jersey that Mr. Fielder would name an improper successor. He is precisely the same man now that he was then.
You and I have frankly talked over Mr. Fielder’s limitations in the past, and we then agreed in regard to him.
I see no chance of his being an aggressive Governor, and I think many hundred aggressive Democrats will seek an opportunity to support some one else.
I thought a way out of the difficulty would be the selection of a third man, with your approval, which would have taken the bitterness out of the present situation.Mr. Fielder will enter the campaign with your endorsement and with that of James Smith, Jr. I cannot see that his election, under the circumstances, will be any credit to the National Administration, not can it be construed as a Wilson victory. It looks to me like a surrender.
I more than ever regret that I have not had an opportunity to talk over the New Jersey situation with you, for I cannot believe that if you knew all the facts you would ask your friends to get back of Mr. Fielder at this time. Certainly, I am not prepared to do so at present, but am going to wait further developments.
I know we have let a great opportunity go by and the democracy is weaker bacause of it
.Geo. M. La Monte
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