Evening journal., 1894-07-09
A Time .of Political DIsquietude.

A Time ,of Political Disquietude.
There is much political disquietude in
Delaware. The opposing forces are so
evenly balanced that the party managers
know that the approaching election will
be won by narrow marginc in all three
of the counties and that u will require
the best Of generalship TO carry either
party through successfully.
The Republicans have everything TO
gain and but little to lose, beyond
Senator Higgins. The Democrats have
everything to lose and nothing to gain
but the seat in the United States SEN
ate now held by him. Both sides are
playing for high stakes-a United
States senator, representative in Con.
gress. governor, six state senator's
twenty.one representatives, a state
treasurer state auditor, legislative
clerks and elective county officers, to say
nothing Of the sppolntive power con.
ferred by law upon the governor.
The Republicans have nothing to hope
for in the direction Of using the county
Offices and patronage for partisan ends,
rs they had four years ago, when they
made the Levy Court Of this county reek
with political knavery aud ran IL as
though they thought It was originally
designed TO be nothing more nor less
than a mere partisan machine. They
have not their United States deputy
msrshals, deputy sheriffs and partisan
police force to use for purposes Of in.
timidation as they had then Their sole
dependence is corruption Of the voter by
the lavish use Of money furnished by
the state nominees and contributors, and
the superintendent made to Delaware by
the Republican national committee
Just how far this will carry them de-
ponds wholly upon the size Of the fund
and the number Of voters who are will
ing to barter their suifrages.
It is time Of uncertainty, but there
is one thing that even the most sanguine
Republican does not expect his party to
do. That is TO carry all three counties
It never has done It. excepting at the
point Of hebayonet and It will never do
it again. This being the case even
should the Republicans elect their
governor congressman and a majority Of
the General Assemblymen by carrying
two counties, they will lose that which
they prize most highly-the power Of
partisan legislation. The Delaware
Senate Is composed Of nine men. three
from each county. The Democrats have
three holding over senators They are
John Pyle, Of New Castle; William
Watson, Of Kent, and w. r. Records, Of
Sussex Therefore It follows that the
Democrats will, by carrying only one
county this Fall, secure a majority Of one
in the Senate, effectively blocking all
legislation partisan in its character.
But the Democratic chances have not
narrowed down to such close Ines Six
years ago, by the lavish use Of big COR
ruption fund, the Republicans succeeded
in defeating disrupted Democracy by
carrying two counties and electlng Mr.
Higgins to the United States Senate
The State Senate was saved to the Dem
ocrats by the holding.over conditions
which exist to-day.
Four years ago the Republicans only
succeeded in carrying one county, which
was New Castle. and the Democratic
party presented broken lines at that
time.
Two years ago the Republicans had
from $50. 900 TO 800, 600 for corruption
purposes. They made their boasts that
they would sweep the state from Brandy
wine to Baltimore hundreds aud con-
fdently expected to do it, The
Democracy was united and determined
When the returns came in the Republi-
cans were astounded to learn that they
had not only failed to carry Kent and
Sussex counties, but that their strong
hold, New Castle county. had been taken
from them by narrow majority wher
they confidently expected to carry it by
from LOCO TO 1900 votes The onl,
man they saved was their sheriff and b,
owed his election to his ildefatigabl,
Efforts In his own behalf.
The same conditions which character
lied the last election will, il the main
distinguish the approaching one. Their
will be the Republican corruption fun
confronting a united Democracy Il
power. and every Democrat, Of high an
low degree, should labor indefatigably t
make the result Of the contest even NOR
sweeping and decisive In character tina
it was two years ago.
Shall They Be Dockedg
The impression is gaining groun