Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-04-16
FIGll
HE WAIUhALII FIUII /
REPUHETcgyS WaRRING ron
FiCTTON4IL SUPREMACY.


nNd I'd. q. Conrad.
Though the inny orally nomination elec-
uon y several weeks u the luture line
hepnblicals nave tiia.r ranyuss well under
way and III another week viii nave effected
n so-cnlled organization and the campaign
, will gain an increased impetus Ihe
party will enter the contest iinndlcapped
with the bitter factional fight for
supremacy, which gives every indication
of growing so intense by the time the
nomination is made that the party split
will greatly lessen the possibility of
the nominees election. Thus far
the canvass has been carried on
rather quietly, and the leaders are irving
to gain an insight to the others plans and
methods. The contest has narrowed
down 10 the nomination of Henry G.
Conrad, sEsq., or Thomas Johnson, all
the others having been practically with
drawn from the fight. Ex Marshal John
NJ. Dunn was known to cherish designs
upon the Office, but b6sNas gotten OH the
track by his political 6sscftain, and is
now engaged in the fight iIfShehuif of an
other. There were rumoIsEatioat until
very recently that John@ Hare had
mnyorllty ambitions, believed to have been
nonrished by E. H. Hoagland, INT like
Mr.. Dunn he will probably be an un-
known quantity III the real contest
| In the candidacy of Mr.. Conrad and
johnson, and their immediate supporters
some strange political anomalies ARE pre-
sented. Mr. Conrad hitherto joining his
force TO the Higgins wing and conspic-
nous III his refusal to give eountenance on
| support TO the opposition's movements,
now represents the Bird Republicans, and
4 10 tfN h.. taa lnxyI I.axt ~ Rtpl
i personally, and his friends. Again Mr.
johnson is novice as Higgins Repub-
lican but now has the hearty support of
| the ex-congressional candidate, and quite
as strange TO say the latter is energetically
seconded by james L. Hawkins, ex-chief
| of police and eX-Marshal Dunn. This
condition of affairs is not generally ac-
cepted MS satisfactory by the voters of
| each faction, but the leaders of both feel
| confident that they can muster their full
strength even upon the peculiar factional
complexion of their men.
Both sides taking the position they
have, clearly indicates that the fight will
be purely factional one and the fitness
of the candidates secondary matter
There are already various reports atioat
| concerning the probable course of the
| nominee. The heaviest and most forcible
argument brought against Mr.. Johnson's
candidacy is that his election would
ensure the return of Hawkins ut the head
of the police department, thing
which, in the view of his past con
Duct as chief of police is
heartily deplored by the majority of
his own party. This report is given color
by the fact that Hawkins is emphatically
pushing Mr.. Johnson's candidacy and
further by the latter's intercessions for
the ex-chief when his suspension and dis
charge for his Philadelphia escapade was
under consideration by Mayor Wales.
Just in this connection it may be stated
that Mr.. Hawkins dates his alliance with
the Higgins faction to the time of the in
cident referred to, and there is well.
founded feeling that it was prompted bS
his former factional friends not insisting
and demanding his retention as chief of
police.
The johnson supporters are held re-
sponsible for the statement which gives
Charles II. Gallagher the chief of police
in the event of Mr. Conrad's election, but
Mr.. Gallagher has stated to all inquirers
that he does not want and will not have
the place. This report is therefore con-
tradicted against the undenied statement
ON the other side. Mr., Conrad is also re-
membered by some of his present fac
tional allies as laying down" in the cam
paign of 1878, when n Bird man was the
mayoralty nominee and he an intense
Higgins Half-Breed. There are some
debts to pay on this score, which how
ever may not be cancelled until the final
election.
Mr.. johnson is believed to have the
majority of the city committee at his
back, and to be able to organize and
direct it as best suits his interest. The
Bird men, as very strong offset to this,
claim n majority of the votes, fact they
claim was illustrated at the last delegate
election which resulted in sending Wash
ington Hastings to Chicago.
A sagacious and cool-headed Republi-
can leader whose advice is always needed
by his party, says the canvas has pro-
gressed so far that no compromise candi-
date will be considered. The party, he
believes, is not in condition to even base
any hope of victory, and the only thing
to he gained is a factional triumph, and
| this will be contested for all its worth
with the present nspirants. If the Demo-
Gratis nominate good strong man, he is
convinced that neither of the two cnndi-
dates would have any possible chance of
election, and the only probable opportu-
nifty for victory lies in n Democratic
blunder in not selecting II fit man.
Recalling the nomination of Mayor
Wales. it will be remembered that he was
second thought and his name mentioned
after the Bird men had decided TO put the
late Francis Vincent forward for the
place. There were some misgivings as to
MIR. yincents political strength, and
after directions had been given TO have
the organization effected in his interests,
his name was withdrawn, and
after caucus i'll Mr.. Birds
office DIR. Wales was selected
ns the candidate instead Dr. Wales was
little known in politics and his nomina-
tion was generally accepted as salts
| factory, while his campaign was con-
Quoted very vigorously and in an aggres-
sive way. The winning feature in his
canvass which gave him his election was
| the manipulation of the negro vote. 1t
was admirably handled, though perhaps
questionably, and sent solid Tor the nom
inee. About $1,000 was raised and nearly
every negro in the city hired for the
day, nj Il trihing advance over his regular
ray 80 stand at the polls, and MS matter
vi course TO vote The multitudes OF
blacks held almost undisputed possession
of the windows. and remaine6ali day iii
their places. Added to the massed negro
vote were numerous Democrats who for
certain pretexts cast their votes for the
Republican candidate, who secured the
election by a majority of about l4h.
An EgOpemcnt AT lkieNvess
A Philadelphia Reco,1 special reports
the elopement from Lewes yesterday week
of Edward Parsons and the wife of his
! uncle Mrs Robert Parsons tThe elOping