Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-09-25
BsN W. TsoN FoR ooNoREss.
How Staiwart Apathy tD kent fa
waking UP the Republican Lead-

Special Correspondence OF dazette and Journal.
DoyRR. Sept l7.--It is currently re-
ported npon our streets that the Repub
lioan congressional honor will be ter
dered to Beniah Watson, ESQ. of this
town. ! sought an Interview with Mr..
Watson yesterday morning aud asked him
there were any truth in the report. He
said "there was none that he knew Of u
then asked him II the nomination were
offered him would he accept it. His re,
ply was, "I am out Of politics." Ever
since the last Republican State Oonven-
tion, Mr. Watson has repeatedly declared
himself "out of politics." asserting as
his reason that his labors of the past
are no longer appreciated by the new
Republican regime. II ia with exceed
ing regret, he says, on his part, that he
has 10 retire TO the shades OF private life.
Mr.. Watson had worked hard IN the past
for Republican success, and he liked the
work. He had travelled day and night,
| speaking in this place and in that place
| wherever he felt that he could do any
good, but his principal work was the See
| ing after the negro vote, and In that field
| Of labor he undoubtedly did more for his
party than any other man in it. He was
the negroes counsellor and adviser, VINO
looked upon him ss their political father,
aid where he said for them to go they
went. II is a traditional fact that the
Republican party in this State, could
never pull harmonioualy together for any
length OF time. Heavy clouds hung low
in the Republican sky, threatening to
rend the party asunder, but by some
device or other the storms were always
averted, and they spent their fury with
out doing any material damage to the
party until 1882 when q cyclone struck it
and nearly swept II ont Of existence.
Mr.. Watson was a member OF the
never-to-be forgotten Dover juntO, which
disbandad after their overwhelming de-
feat in the State election of 1882. From
that time until this year the Republican
party were almost without leaders. Judge
George P. Fisher and the Hon. James R.
Lofisnd were driven ont OF the party at
the last State oonventisn by the new
leaders. Mr.. Watson aud Judge Fisher
made desperate fight at the delegate
meeting to elect their delegates to that
convention, but Messrs. Smithers and
Massey set It up on them and they lost
the hundred by large msjority. Then
1t was that Mr.. Watson said he had
"wsshed his hands of politics."
But the conquering forces had yet
another wall to pull down
before they oeuld enter the city. When
the convention met, MIR. Lofand asked
the convention to let Judge Fisher act as
alternate in the place Of delegate. The
proposition was opposed by Mr.. Smithers
and Mr.. Massey, and after considerable
wrangling It was decided that Judge
Fisher, too, should retire from active
politics. The "sitting down" upon the
judge made Mr.. Lofand angry, and he
also washed his hands OF politics.
Now, another eleotion is fast approach
ing, and the present leaders we'll know,
that unless some overtures are made to
the dissatisfied they will be unable TO
effect an organization either now or
hencsforth. Mr.. Loasnd was In town
yesterday and was collsred by party
leader from New Castle, who asked him
how he stood. "0nt of politics." was
his answer. The gentlemen next in
quired how Mr.. Watson stood. "The
same as l do" replied Mr.. Lofand.
After the gentleman left town It was then
that heard that Mr.. Watson was spoken
OF as the nominee for Congress.
To nominate Mr.. Watson would, no
doubt, harmonize the factions, as he has
always been identified with the stalwarts.
His nomination would by no means
insure success to the party, as Delaware
is too strongly Democratic, but 1t would
give it better showing at the polls, for
then Judge Fisher and Mr.. Lotiand would
wheel into line and do all they could for
the election Of their friend. Whether
Mr.. Watson will accept the nomination il