Daily Republican., 1885-02-18
TheAmondmen ents.
Special correspondence Of the kKPUBLIoAN


night the Democracy OF New Castl,
voiced itself upon the constitutions
amendmenta In regard 70 represen ntatior
In the Legislature. Hit were not ably
Represented, 1t was not for the need ol
able advocates. Bayard, Postles, Gray
Bertolette, Farrell, Dean, Vandegrift
J Sharpley and Cochran presented q va
riety and an able array Of talent suffi
cient to convince and move the most
stubborn Democratic heart Of Kent and
tSussex into pity for New Castle County
AZ she lay helpless as an infant in the
arms Of her stern sisters, Kent and Sus.
sex.
But what has been the result? Has
the ratification OF the amendment heen
secured Z?
These are questions which the future
alone will show, but IL the sentiment Of
those who clustered in knots after the
meeting adjourned to still farther dis
cuss the question meant anything, IL
meant that the confirmation of the
amendments was farther from the mark
than ever before.
Representative chamber was greeted
with hearty applause, which greeted
him again as Senator Houston who was
in the chair called him up to speak. 1t
would not be doing Mr.. Bayard justice
70 ray that his speech, which he was
fifty minutes In delivering, was not al
eloquent plea in favor of the proposed
Constitutional Amendment. He first
entered plea in favor of the Judiciary
Amendments, and then passed on to
the increased representation amend
ment. He felt his way carefully, as If
fearful he might commit himself to
some expression that might be turned
against him In the future. That he
was not in hearty accord with the
amendment was plainly to be seen but
upon the principle that a half loaf was
better than no bread he advocated the
amendment an tho best measure that
could be obtained at the present time
He eloquently maintained that the
highest and the humblest citizen Of the
State was entitled to representation, and
when he appealed to the members of the
Leg islature from Kent and Sussex TO
listen to the humble plea, his remarks
were loudly applauded. -. -. -.
But Mr.. Bayard had to view the ques-
| tion in a partison light. 1t was unavoid-
able. 1t was his party that had moved In
the matter. 1t was his party that had
started out to do justice to New Castle
| County. What 1t had conceded might
not be all to which the County was enti-
tied but 1t was moving In the right dlrec-
| ton. The action of his party had been
endorsed by his party In the committee
room, and In the State conventions, and 1t
had been endorsed at the polls. Would
his party go back on its pledges now' I'll
1t di 1t would lose the confidence of the
honest members of his party.
The senator made a strong pIp. for
| honesty In politics He believed there
was still honesty in both political parties
He represented in the Natioral Counc il
OF the Nation the weakest State in popu
lation In the Union, but he ws proud of his
manly and dignifed constituents, and in
serving his State he felt that he was the
peer OF the representatives from the
greatest States of the Union. This was
| about the tenor of the Senator's remarks,
and though there was a mild threat as to
what New Castle County might 10 If the
| amendment was defeated IT would have
BEEN well for the amendment had an
adjournment followed the Scna tors
speech.
General J. Parkc Postlcs WAS the next
to follow Mr.. Bayard Ths burthen of
his theme was the success of the Demo-
cratic party and he was very much afraid
that the Democrats of New Castle Coun-
ty would be ruined If the representation
amendment was not adopted. How
could he honestly go before the people ifI
the pledges given by his party In favor of
he amendment were Violently broke !The
Genersl said he was Democrat because
Democratic principles more nearly accor.
ded with his principles He predicted the |
defeat of his party if the amendments
were defeated. but he seemed to forget
that MS party had often been defeated In |
New CasLle County, and the Legislature |
was sill safely Democratic by very con- |
Venient two thirds majority.
States Attorney Gray, always eloquent
made an earnest, eloquent plea for the |
amendment, which he was frank to SAY
did not give New Castle County what
sht was rightfully entitled to. He freely
predicted defeat II the Democracy broke
lis pledges and defeated the amendments.
tie was tree to say that strong Demo |
erat ~ he vas he would have no conf |
dence in Democratic pledges and his |
party would deserve defeat.
While Mr.. Gray was speaking in al
threatening manner, the countcnance of
the members from Kent and Sussex were
wreathed In peculiar expression, ,as much |
as to say you might lead but YOU csn-
He" "'''N to. rht NlT. Faf-
rell, Mr.. Desn, Vaadegrift, s.harpley and
Cochran were all earnest In their advoca-
cy OF the amendments, but their speeches
foretold the destruction of the Democra ic |
party II the amendments were adopted.
The general impression that prevailed |
when the meeting was over, was ttat theI
threatening character of the speeches made
would he fatal to the amendments. More
'hhn ore member of the Legislature fa,d |
that II New Castle County did 90 Republi-
enn 1t would not make the Legislature Re
N lican, In fact they thought that It
wound tc rather All improvement to the
Legislature n that County would send a
Republican d' l"gGtion to the Legislature,
US fourtc, DDen ocratic members from Kent
and Sussex could always outyote seven
Republican members from New Castle,
and six Delocratic Senators could al |
ways outvots three Republican Senators.
But 1t should not be inferred that the
members from the two lower counties are |
not In favor Of doing something to eoual
representation, but another plan is last |
growing into favor. That plan is the
calling OF constitutional Convention |
aud to give representation by district, /
all over the State. If the present rropos-
ed amendments are defeated, 1t VIII
only beto oinaugurate better system
Denf1s of Weu knOuu Preacna~