Middletown transcript., 1895-01-19
THE SITUATION.


Delaware, and the eyes of all Delaware are
turned toward Dover. There never has
been such interest in Senatorial contest in
or out of the State, and the result will de-
termine the future of the Republican party
in Delaware.
Eleven members of the Republican Legis.
lature met in caucus on Monday night and
nominated Anthony Higgins to succeed
himself as United States Senator. The six
men who favored Mr.. Addicks and two
who favored Mr.. Massey refusing to attend
the caucus.
There were thirteen men who first met at
the hour appointed for the caucus, the abb
sentees being Senator Handy and Repre-
sentatives Ball, Morgan, Robbins, Brown
and Moore. After waiting nearly two
hours, the absentees having refused to ap-
pear, Representative Fleming and Senator
Pierce left the StBte House, with the under
standing that they would return when
wanted. But they failed to put in an ap-
pearance, and at midnight the eleven men,
bers proceeded to ballot for candidate for
Senator.
On the first ballot Mr. Higgins received
votes; blank, and Massey, 1, On motion
the nomination of Senator Higgins was
made unanimous.
The eleven men were: Alriches, Rey-
bold, Walker, Wilson. Money, McMullen,
Pyle, Jolls, Moore, Townsend, Burton.
The news that the Addicks men had
bolted the caucus was received here as an
act Of desperation, and an acknowledge
ment of Mr. Higgins strength whose nomi-
nation ON the first ballot these men sought
to thwart by refusing to attend the caucus.
The election of the Senator has been
thrown into the open session by the failure
of the Republican side of the Legislature
to concur, and the intensest interest has at
tended the action of the members since the
memorable caucus.
The Democrats in caucus, nominated
Chancellor Walcott after several compli-
mentary ballots.
The first vote was taken on Tuesday at
noon in both Houses, each member respond
ing at the roll call. The joint ballot was:
Higgins, 10; Addicks, 6; Massey, 8; VOL
colt, 10; Tunnel, L.
The Legislature has ballotted every day
since Tuesday, in accordance with the law,
and up to yesterday noon the situation was
unchanged.
There are 80 members in the Delaware
Legislature, 10 of whom are Republicans.
1t requires majority of the whole Legisla
ture to elect Senator, hence the success
full candidate must have 16 votes.
The supporters of Mr.. Higgins stand for
the party organization, and have the law,
party usage and precedent on their side
beside the moralsupport of public sentiment
in and out of the State.
We believe as we always have, that the |
good sense and party and State pride of the |
Republican. members of the Legislature will |
overbalance personal preference in matter
of National moment. Mr.. Higgins is the
nominee of the party caucus, he is the
peoples choice, and we cannot see how
loyal Republicans can do otherwise than
vote for him.
There is the intensest interest manifest in
this community, and the deadlock and
what it means is the general theme among
the people here. Men who are in no sense
politicians, but who have strong sense and
clear vision, express strong views i'm favor
of Mr.. Higgins, and his hold upon the peo-
pie is more and more manifest.
Mr.. Higgins and Mr.. Addicks each oc-
cupy apartments at the Richardson House,
in Dover, and will probably remain on the
scene of action until the deadlock is
broken. Those who are in position: to
give fair and unbiased opinion express
the belief that the Addicks forces are weak
ening daily, and while it may be days or
weeks before the question is settled it is
believed that Mr.. Higgins will certainly be
elected.