Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-05-28
THE DICKEY NORTON DEAL
The Plan is to Make Norton a
Police Commissioner.
DONAHOE BACKS THE COMBINE
The Repudiated Tax-collec-
tor Now a Dictator.


I Much interest is being felt among Dem
ocrats. and Republicans in Wilmington
| over the appointment by Governor Rey-
nOlds of two members Of the police com
mission provided for this city by an act
passed At the recent session of the General
Assembly.
Among the politicians of both parties
there IS an anxiety to get control of the
commission that savors much of an in
tense desire to keep the police force in
politics, instead of putting it entirely upon
the plane of public service, as the act
creating the commission contemplatcs. Of
the two commissioners to be appointed by
the governor one must be a Democrat and
one Republican. The mayor to be
elected next month composes the third
member, and his election will determine
the political complexion Of the board.
This is why the politicians of both parties
are working. for the appointment of a
party man who, with the mayor, may be
depended upon to work the police depart
ment politically 'for all there is in it,
The Democratic names suggested for the
governors favor are John w. Lawson,
ex-Coroner George T. Barnhill, James
w, Ware and William b. Norton,
and there are many who, with knowing
winks and shrugs, declare that Norton will
be appointed because he is the choice of
County Treasurer John r. Dckey and
Speaker of the Senate John +. Donahoe.
This combination, they declare, cannot be
beaten.
This Didkey Norton combination is one
OF tne strhllSest eSemplilications on record
Of the adage that politics makes strange
bcd-fellows," and also serves us a most in
tereStng sequel to the famous Democratic
mayoralty contest of three years ago.
Then Norton was candidate for the Dem
ocratlc nomination, and was opposed by
Chief oil Police, now Tax Collector, John j. |
IlntftFItnrtts 1ltpt-a
county tnX collectors, and they ram the tax
ONCE IN the interest of Dougherty. The |
latter's friends captured the city organiza-
non and got most of the election officers |
In the interest of honest primaries it was |
resolved To demand tax receipts of all |
voters, and here was whore the tax collcc- |
tors got i'll their fine work. All tile |
Doughcrty men had tax receipts given |
them freely, while Norton men frequently |
could not get them even when they offered |
to pay. Instances are known where Norton
men who went to pay their taxes were told
that their names were not on the books,
while the next week after the nomination
receipts were sent to these men in order
that they might register and vote for
Dohgherly. They registered, but they did
not vote for Dougherty.
These tax office tactics resulted in the
nomination of Dougherty, but the RESULT
raised howl of indignation among Dem
election. While the Democratic candidate
for president of City Council was elected
by 9I4 majority, Dongherty was defeated
Dy 100 votes, change that showed how
Intense was the bitter hostility of honest
democrats to the offensive, arbitrary tax
ollice tactics that made Doughcrtys nomi-
nation possible. This is one reason why
there was such \ decided kick against
Dickey's appointment as county treasurer
and receiver of taxes.
such was the state of feelings between
Diokey and Norton three wears ago. and
Just why they should now be united in the
PONDS OF political and personal fellowship
out" Personal revenge and political pres
,ige are supposed to be the handspring of
lgckcy's action in making the new com
Dougherty repaid his kindly
services by knocking him out of the tax
oince, ana ne wants revenge. Norton had
chance to get an influence that could con-
.rol votes; And So in some mysterious
the two former enemies became |
rcconciled. When Dickey was appointed
,ounty treasurer and receiver OF taxes {
Norton became one of his bondsmen, and
now Dickey will try to make Norton u
police commissioner.
II Norton is appointed all the influence {
hat he can exert among the members of {
he police force will he naturally given to
Dlckeys political aspirations, either for a
enomination and reelection to his present
'fiiee, or for The sherilIalty if he decides to /
igain make an attempt for this fine official d
,lum. /
l. is nice little political scheme, and d
viii work splendidly (for Dickey and Nor s
on If the governor will only make the +
csired appointment. /
!'iit many of the Democrats of Will Ii
nington are decidedly opposed to this ar i
81 s,f
hey say the governor might as well ap- h
olnt Domgherty as to favor Norton, as far o
$ the political effect is concerned. Nor T
on's followers in the fight Of three years
50 are Kicking at his combination with
hickey, and the Dougherty followers also
cal. They fear that Dickeys desire for f,
svenge would prevent any Dougherty
nan from getting show for a police an. 81
Q ntment with Norton in the board it
In view OF the almost certain prospect, C.
present, OF electing the Democratic city IL
cket, and of the fact that the commits b
on appointments will naturally have an m
nportant bearing upon the election of bl
layor, there is a prevailing feeling among
that the governor should be
cry careful in making his selections. For
nc Democrats in particular it is claimed, II
le very pest thing viii be the appoint r
ent OF man who has not been in any w
ay connected with the factional fights Of III
Ie past. To select leader in these old III
ements of strife, it is held, will be fatal q
party success, to say nothing of per- II
nal considerations. M
THE REPUBLICAN, MACHINE AT WORK. br
The Higgins machine is also at work ON
e construction of the police commission,
ID the candidate put forward in lis he,
.lf is Dr. Il. q. shortlidge, the unsuccess- m
i Higgins candidate for mayor at the re- nc
Mt Republican nomination. Samuel II. ).
Iynard and William NJ. Pyle are also Pa
ggested, but the machine is working W
I'd for Shortlidge. tn
The appointments will be announced fo
me time next week, as by the terms of att
e bill they must he made by June 1st mi
lie result is awaited with the deepest in
est in this city. q.
Contract for Fire Escapes. de,
The trustees at the Delaware Hospital ha
the Insane met at Farnhurst Thursday | WI