Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-29
pnLAwAnn roLIrIos.
How the situation Hooks 20 n New
York Reporter.


York Reporter.
special TO New York Star
WILMINGTON, DEL, Jnly %. Delaware
now has only one active political organ
igation, but the little commonwealth is
nevertheless torn by one of the most
earnest contests abe has ever known.
Although governor, a congressman and
a Legislature that will choose a United
States senator are TO be elected in No
yember, the Republican party will make
no nominations, The temperance people
have named candidates, but they will win
few votes, and all the Democratic nomi- |
nees are sure of overwhelming majorities |
in every election district.
This state of things has given long |
looked-for opportunity for conclusive |
contest between the two rival factions of |
the Democratic party. ut is death to
the Salisbury men," say the opponents
of that faction, aud the salisbury par.
tisans eagerly hope TO come out OF the
contest with fresh strength and an I'M
questioned ascendency that shall last for
many years.
The most prominent candidates for gov
ernor are Edwin X. Cochran and Benja-
min T. Biggs, while others are William
u. -. u
of Senator Gray, j. Wilkins Oooch and
DIR. Swithin Chandler. All these live in
New Castle county, il being that county's
turn, according TO Delaware's amusing
syotem of rotation, TO furnish COVER
nor to tho State. Mr.. Cochran is distant
relative of former governor. He
is less than 50 years of age. His
record as legislator is good, and
sFf al nft ha
| peace, one of the most important offices
in his county, has been excellent.
| Although Secretary Bayard, with his
4 usual wisdom, has refused TO take part in
/ the canvass, il il well known that Mr..
| Cochran represents Mr.. Btyard's interests.
| MIR. Cochrans enemies urge against him
| that he is n member of the "court-hou
ring which means TINT he holds, as Mr..
Biggs' brother recently held, an impor-
tant county office, and exercises, by de-
cent methods, considerable influence in
his party,
Benjamin Il. Biggs,isa wealthy farmer,
owning many acres Of land and many
thousands of peach trees in Delaware
aud the neighboring counties of Mary
land Mr.. Biggs has been to Congress,
and one thing urged against him is that
lie kept his black pay when the "salary
grab no disastrous to many statesmen
was passed through Congress amid the
clanorous protests of the whole country
Mr.. Biggs friends retort that Mr.. Bayard
also took his share Of back pay
but the conclusive answer to THU
irrelevant allegation is that tn,
only methud open to Mr.. Bayard of re
turning to the government what figured
1 Ia. "a he 10, Arax
, the money and hand IL back to the treas
ury. Mr., Biggs' great strength is hi
long standing alliance with the Saulsbur,
, faction of the two lower counties, but thi
/ again is in part source of weakness, a
that faction refused, q gear or two since
! to right the outrageous wrong that NeN
/ Castle county suffers in the matter o
Legislative representation.
. 1t is figured that Mr.. Cochran vii
1 have in the nominating convention 80 ou
81 delegates from his own county on tn
1 first ballot, and majority of the dele
10 gates from Kent county, while it is cor
n ceded that Mr. Biggs may get 10 delegate
v from New Castle, sprinking froI
n Kent, and have an equal chance i
IS Sussex, According 10 precedent, IL
4 person having the majority of delegate
!
l. will be the nominee Of the convention
le and Mr. Cochran's friends say that Messr
I Black, Chandler and Cooch will thro
< their Is candidates to Cochran after the
l. have given their respective candidates
le complimentary vote. The Biggs me
u hope to disregard the precedent and non
IN mate their man by the aid of Kent ar
D. SUSSEX, while Herbert, Cooch, Black III
es Chandler are enger to slip in between Il
H. chief contestants.
"a Inextricably tangled with the conte
ly for tho goyeruorship is that for the Unit
ch States SENATE. Mr.. Gray, who unwilling
lie became candidate for Mr.. Bayard
IA. vacant sent has with difficulty been pc
oh suaded 10 seek reelection, while Co
9 | gresham Lore has joined the Biggs NJ
lis salisbury combination, with the dete
,er mined wish to take MIR. Gray's seat.
he The fight is pretty one. The pr
la gressiye Democrats of tine three count
Including James l.. Wolcott Of Ken
il ! with his eve on Senator Saulsbury's sci
ltr ! Sto.key aIn NfE2 pai1jsuns ~ IorLi
rem while the long headed SaulsDurys are
5ed active aid Of the popular Congressm
vas and Congressman. Republicans lo
Is on in the vain hope that the Democrh
OF party will be split in twain, but when
vas delegates shall have been elected on
up. 18th Of August, and shall have chos
on. the candidates three days Inter, il will
ron found that one faction or the other
md conquered a lasting peace, and the De
g il ware Democracy VIII remain united.