Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-24
THE DOWNFALL OF HII1.
new forks Governor Ignored In Plat
form and Tickets Makeup.
New York Times editorial Thursday,

new YORK Times editorial Thursday.
BY. way of jusiifying claim to
continuance of the trust reposed in the
Democratic Party in this state, the con-
'vention at Saratoga heartily indorsed
"the able and statesmanlike administra-
ton Of Gov. D. B. Hill during his seven,
years as chief executive of the state.n
But far more significant than this for
NAL and perfunctory endorsement was
the action of the convention in casting
on the political leadership of the COVER
nor, and wholly diregarding his wishes
In the makeup of the ticket and of the
platform. He had tried to make the
control of this convention the culmina-
ton OF his long and laborious efforts
during all these seven years for his own
political advancement. Upon that the
realization of his long-cherished hopes
depended, and he failed completely.
The leadership of the party was taken
from his hands without sign of COM
Function, and his influence with the
convention was absolutely naught.
Those who will not rejoice at the dis
eomfiture of this arrant demagogue and
the elimination of Hillism from the
politics of this state are few. His per-
eonality has exerted a malign influence
in political management, in legislation,
and in the administration OF public
affairs from the moment he acquired
the opportunities afforded by the chief
executive office of the state. He
gained that vantage ground at time
when the Democratic party had de-
veloped the strong reform tendencies
which gave it the success of 1884,
and he has done more than any other
man in the country to turn It back
upon reactionary course. With
none of the breadth or the insight of
. statesman or of genuine popular
leader, he was possessed with a selfish
ambition which he could advance only
by the arts of the demagogue and the
intriguing politician. He began at once
TO use the power intrusted to him as a
public official to build up a political
machine for his own use. The princi-
pies of civil service reform which his
party had adopted he treated with con-
tempt, and he used the power of public
appointment not simply for the benefit
OF party, but with view to making the
party organization subservient to him
SELF. His power over legislation in
recommending, approving, or defeating
measures was exercised in the same
manner, with no regard for the higher
interests of the public, but with sole
reference to the success of his own de-
signs.
For long time Governor Hills bold
ness and persistent energy in using the
opportunities and advantages of his
office for the control of party action
gave him what seemed like success.
Small politicians truckled to him, and
larger ones permitted him to have his
way rather than engage in a contest
with him; but the time was sure to come
when the injury he was doing his party
In the estimation of men of principle
and of conscience would be so apparent
that his deposition would be necessity.
When he betrayed the highest interests
of his party by foul conspiracy 10
secure his last reelection as gov
d, ernor he really signed his own
/ political death warrant. He continued
his plots and kept up the appear
once of controlling conventions and
exacting obedience from legislators and
party workers, but it was not until the
present year that any real test Of his
hold upon his party could be made.
When it came his hand was paralyzed
and he found himself powerless. There
has not even been contest with Hill.
The delegates of the party have simply
ignored his authority and left him impo-
tent. There is to be in the canvass no
contest against Hillism. 1t has been
eliminated by the convention, while
.PlSttism remains. Hills career and in
fiuapca for seven years have been an
unmAxad evil for the public and for the
Detaicratic party, but they are at an end.