The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-04

Erection Dtctrkct theftA.
Let the people watch the State
Board OF Elections for Wilmington
and see how nicely they ere manlpu-
iating that they may aid the Demo-
crats. Tho commission Ia composed
of three persons. but according to the
the Democratic idea OF non.partlsan-
ship two OF those persons are Demo-
Gratis. As one OF the Democrats who
was always looked upon 40 one OF the
best Of his party has been caught red
handed distributing tax receipts free
to Democrats. what can be expected Of
him as fair minded, impartial eloc-
ton Commissioner.
Now then, see how carefully they
have manipulated the division OF the
city into election districts so that the
Democrats will get the election In
spectors In "a out of IS Districts In q
city with large Republican majority.
In the appointment OF inspectors tho
new law requires that the number OF
inspectors In each ward shall be d.
vlded as nearly equal ms possible bo-
tween tho different political parties.
Now SEQ with what nice precision tho
districts have been laid out In the
wards to give the Democrats the ma
jority of the election officers under
the master hand of that great manip-
uiator Frank A. McCloskey. the ox-pat-
ent revolving assessor who is clerk OF
the non.partisan % board at salary
OF $3.50. See how the First ward gets
8 districts, the Second 5. the Third s.,
and so on through all the wards ex-
cept the Ninth and Eleventh, get odd
numbers OF districts. as the odd num-
bers OF districts must have odd num-
bers OF inspectors. The even numbers
OF districts In wards implies even
numbers OF inspectors, which ore cas-
lily divided between the two parties,
but rs there are only two such wards
to ten with odd numbers the size Of
McCloskey's steal, II endorsed by
Messrs. Dobb and Doud, is plainly
visible.
BY way of illustration, let US take q
ward with m odd number Of districts,
the seventh for instance. which has
about a thousand Republican majority
and where every fair minded person
would say that the Republicans ought
to have majority OF districts.
The ward is divided into seven dis
tncts. and the seven districts are en-
titled to 81 inspectors. According &c
the law these 81 inspectors are to b.
divided ms nearly equal ns possible be
tween tile respective parties. A nearly
equal division. woald lie Ii and 10. and
one side or the other must get the
eleven. With two Democrats to one
Republican in tile board 1t is not hnrt
to tell where the odd number will go
IN which case the Democrats will get
I four districts and the Republicans
, three in this strong Republican ward.
As with the Seventh, so with Mint
other wards giving the Democrats Tn,
odd district in each ward. Every fail
minded man of course will say this Is
Z not fair, but how is It to be romedled
It can be done by Mr.. James s. Dobb
/ Il member of tho commission, uniting
with Mr.. @. +. Thomas, tho Republi
4 can member of the board, to do what
is right and make at least an equal dl
vision OF inspectors. Since Mr.. Doud
the other inspector OF tho board, has
beon going around with bundles oil
free tax receipts. scattering them fan
and vide, nobody can reasonably ex
a poet any fairness from him, ant
therefore all that lie dono on the lin,
of equity and fairness must be dom
p by Messrs. Dobb and Thomas. 81
, Democratic election districts in VII
rninGton ~ "a Republican, by the
;. sharp practice Of manipulation Nc
Closkey, will not appeal to homes
Democrats for hearty support ant
, many OF them will rebuke alcCloskcl
rule at the election next November, a
they rebuked it at the last election.