Smyrna times., 1894-10-17
Politics in Delaware.
MARGIN BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC
AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES.

delphia Ledger has been writing about !
the politics of Delaware. The writer |
who is the Washington correspondent,
seems to be aiming at an unbiased |
view, and among other things says:
Those who have given no attention |
to Delaware will be surprised to learn |
that the margin between the Demo.
cratic and Republican parties is less
than 600 votes in an aggregate poll of |
nearly 10000, and they will be further
surprised to learn that, although the |
present is an off year, the result of next |
months election in Delaware may not |
only be an important factor in the or
ganization OF the Flfty-fourth Congress
but may be the means of choosing the !
successor to President Cleveland. Be |
cause of these probable contingencies, |
and the fact that a change Of about 300
votes in the entire State would over
throw the dominant party, the election
in Delaware this year Is of great signih-
canoe and importance.
THE CONTEST FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
The Legislature consists of9 Senators
and 21 Assemblymen. Each of the
three counties into which the State is
divided, elects 3 Senators and AS
semblymen. Of the Senators hold
over, l from each county, so that
Senator will be chosen in each county
next month in addition to z Assembly
men. The county is the unit of repre-
sentation,a "a system which operates seri-
Ously to the disadvantage of New Cas-
tie county, the most populous of the
three counties. The last census placed
the total population of the State at
1853 ,493, and of New Castle at 81, 1872.
Thus, with about two-thirds of the
entire population, and perhaps
four-6fths of the taxable prop
erty of the State, New Castle has but
one-third of the membership of the
Legislature. While each of the three
counties may be said to be debatable
ground as between the two great
parties, New Castle inclines to the Re-
publicans, while Kent and Sussex seem
to be normally Democratic. The two
latter are mainly agricultural. The
former is largely industrial, embracing
the city of Wilmington. In order to
secure a majority in both branches of
the Legislature the Republicans will
have to elect their Legislative ticket in
all three counties. If successful in two
counties, however, the Republicans
will secure the majority on joint ballot
and insure the choice of Republican
TO succeed Mr.. Higgins in the United
States Senate. The three Senators who
hold over are Democrats, and if that
party should elect its Legislative ticket
| in one county the Democrats would
have five Senators, which would give
one majority in the upper branch.
CHARGES AND COUNTER CHARGES.
The managers of the two parties ex-
press the fullest confidence in the sue
cess of their respective tickets. The
election machinery is in the hands of
the Democrats, and Repub blicans charge
that it is being unfairly directed against
them. Speci fic cases are cited of arbi-
trary action on the part of registration
officers, by which well-knOwn and re-
putabe citizens have been refused the
necessary certificates. There is un-
doubted ground for these complaints,
but it is probable that the evil does not
prevail to a greater extent than is usual
in this and other States, and that means
will be found to correct it before cleo.
ton day. On the other hand the
Democrats charge that Republicans are
employing money to unduly control
voters. Extravagant and improbable
stories are circulated to the effect that
a certain candidate for the United States
Senate is lavish in the use of money to
secure the election of Republican can
didates for the Legislature with the
expectation that he will chosen U. S.
Senator should the Republicans be sue
cessful. There is, of course, no means
of verifying these stories, most of which
are too absurd and extravagant TO be
worthy of serious notice. The man
ayers on both sides are striving to keep
the question of choosing a United
States Senator on the canvass, and thus
far it has not attained prominence.
MR.. BAYARD AND THE sENAToRsHIP
While the Senatorial question is kept
below the surface, its presence is dis
tInctly felt in the campaign. On the
Republican side the candidates most
talked of are Anthony Higgins, the
present Senator; j. Edward Addicks
and George V. Massey, the two first
named residing in New Castle and the
last in Kent. On the Democratic side
there are several candidates. Con.
gresham Causey and ex.Congressmau
Martin, Of Sussex; Mr.. WOlcott and
Mr.. Salisbury, of Kent, are avowed
candidates, and there is a general feel.
ing that Mr.. Bayard is returning from
England with the expectation that be
will be again called upon to assume
the Sentorial toga. Senator Gray and
Mr.. Bayard reside in Wilmington, and
as geographical considerations enter
into the contest, opposition to the can
didatufe of Mr.. Bayard may be expect
ed from Kent and Sussex.
If the Republicans should elect their
Legislative ticket in New Castle and
the Democrats succeed in Kent and
Sussex, Mr.. Bayard's chances would be
seriously effected. Should the Repub
licans control tho Legislature on Joint
ballot the chances favor the success OF
Mr.. Higgins, judging from present in
dications.
FAVORABLE OUTLOOK FOR THE RI
PUBLICANs.
As to the result of the election, Il
would be unsafe,at this time to prRf
The Democrats have the pregsS oi
many conservative victories, and aot
withstanding the fact their majorities
have been steadily reduced until they
have reached dangerously small fig
ure, the leaders express the fullest con
fidence in success. The Republicans
are quite as confident as their oppo
] nents, and it must be admitted tha
they have fair basis for this feeling
Their party is harmonious, united anC
earnest. The protracted business de
preston, with suspension of manufac
turing industries and consequent en-