The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-10
Delaware Legislature Declared Ad-
journed, However, Before Formal
Announcement of the Selection.
DEMOCRATS CLAIM THE SUCCESSFUL
CANDIDATE LACKED ONE VOTE.
Arbitrary Action OF the Governor.
Who Claims the Right to Hold Two
OGices-Addicks's Threat.


a successor to ex-senator Higgins. although
the Republicans claim that their leading
candidate, Col Henry A. Dupont, was le-
gally elected. The matter will probably be
taken to the United States Senate for
decision. The wo-hundred-and-elevent
ballot since the deadlock began four months
ago, and the last of the session, was taken
a few minutes before O'Clock. 1t resulted:
Fl. A. Dupont Rep. ......................-..15
J. Edward Addicks. Rep.
Edward Ridgely, Dem.....
Iunneil, Dem. l.
During the day the Democrats flibustered,
with the object of preventing balloting. and
when the Statehouse clock ran out the hour
of and sounded the death-knell of the
legislative session of 1895, the clerk was in
the midst of a roll call on a dilatory mo-
ton made by a Democrat. AS soon as Gov. .
Watson. DEM. who by reason of the fact
that he was Speaker of the Senate before
his elevation 10 the gubernatorial chair,
upon the death of Governor Marvil, pre-
sided over the joint session. announced the
sine die adjournment, Speaker of the House
McMullin. Rep, arose and formally de-
clared Henry A. Dupont elected United
States Senator. This action had been pre-
viously agreed on by the Republican leaders.
The Delaware Legislature is composed of
twenty-one Representatives and nine Sem
ators, sixteen being a majority on joint
ballot. The Republicans claim that when
Senator Watson, by virtue of his position
as Speaker of the Senate. succeeded to the
governorship upon the death Of Governor
Marvil, one month ago, the number OF SEN
ators was reduced to eight, and, therefore,
there were only % joint ballot, and
that fifteen votes constituted a majority.
On the other hand, the Democrats and Gov.
Watson claim that the law distinctly de-
clares that the Speaker of the Senate shall
become Governor. Therefore if Mr..
Watson withdraws from the Senate he
ceases to be Speaker of the Senate and con-
sequently loses the governorship.
The senatorial question is likely TO oc-
months to come. Whether tff Governor
has right to appoint is a disputed ques-
ton. If he has. the appointment will be
only until the next Legislature, which
meets in January, 1896, unless sooner called
together by the Governor. This latter con-
tingency, however. is not probable.
j. Edward Addicks has made good his
threat, uttered at the beginning of the con-
test, to prevent the election of Repub-
lcan Senator from Delaware if he could
not secure the prize for himself.
Col. Henry A. Dupont, who will make
the contest for the senatorship is men,
ber Of the famous Dupont family, who
have been manufacturers of powder and
other explosives in Wilmington this State.
for over a/century. He is a son of the late
Gen. Henry Dupont and was born at Bran
dywne Banks in 1896. He attended the
University of Pennsylvania, and .yas SUBJ
sequently appointed to the United States
Military Academy at West Point gradual
ing in 1861. He entered the Fifth United
States Artillery and served through the
civil war. Colonel Dupont has been a Re-
publican ever since the organization of the
party.
THE DAYS PROCEEDINGS
There was great interest in the proceedings
to-day. The floor and lobby of the House
chamber, where the joint session was held,
were intentionally crowded with politi-
clans and spectators when the session re-
convened at o'clock this morning and. as
the weather was very hot. the atmosphere
soon became sitting. The interest was in
tense from the start Early morning con-
ferences OF the leaders resulted i'm a COM
bnation of the Higgins and Massey forces
en- Colonel Dupont, the result being shown
in the first ballot of the day. After six bal
lots had been taken with Colonel Dupont
needing only two votes to insure his cleo
tion, an adjournment was forced until noon.
During all the balloting Mr.. Addcks was
fitting back and forth between the lobby
and the chamber of the House. apparently
cess seemed assured last night but the pro-
tests from leading Republicans all over the
turned the tide against him. The desks OF
Representatives Robbins and Brown. the
TWO sussex county farmer legislators. whose
vara
surrounded all the morning by body guard
OF Addicks people. who seemed TO be max
from voting with the majority of their fell
low-Republcans and thus end the deadlock.
49,, The Senate met at o'clock. but. con-
House resolution extending the date of ad-
journment ten days. 1t was two minutes
after o'clock when the Senate entered the
joint session. On the first ballot taken VIII
liam Dupont lKepqbliean? received votes;
tDemocrap > and Tunnel DemocraO i. on
the next ballot II. A. Dupont received IA
Tnnn:,, YH1es: wiiTm Am PRnpont; q Ridgey and
rate. but the motion was defeated by
strict party vote-ls to 10. On the next bal
lot the Addieks men dropped William Du-
ballot resulted: Pennewill, 3: II. a Dupont
"a; Ridsely, 9: Tunnel. l. On the next bal
leader, voted for Higgins. This was greeted
BY applause from the other Addicks men,
nut the original higgins men remained with
II. A. Dupont. The result of the ballot wa :
Higgins. 5; II. A. Dupont, Ia; Ridgely. 2;
Tunnel l. Fennmore moved for a separa-
ton. The yeas and nays called, and
the resolution was defeated-lS to 10. After
two more ballots Senator Handy moved for
a separation until y O'Clock. The yeas and
nays were ordered and the motion was car
red by a vote of 10 TO H.
When the joint session reconyened Gov
ernor Watson took his chair and ordered
the floor cleared of all ex-State officers and
ex-members. The first ballot taken result
ed: Fl. A. Dupont, 10: Addicks. 4: Ridgely
10: Tunnel. /. Brown left Addicks for Du-
pont Baloting continued without
change until 2:30 o'clock. When the two
hundred and eleventh of the contest had
been announced Senator Aldrichs arose and
read a paper protesting against further
balloting. claiming that Henry A. Dupont
had been legally elected. Governor Watson
refused TO entertain the motion or TO al
low protest TO go on the records of the
Joint session. claiming IL 10 De out OF order
Senator Pierce appealed from the decision
and the Governor refused 10 entertain the
appeal Senator Harrington, Democrat
moved TO separate, and the yeas and nays
were called. 1t was 2:f7 o'clock when the
roll call vas concluded. IL Was defeated
Is 70 II. Senator Records made similar
molten. but it also defeated. Repre-
sentative Davis fruitlessly moved to take a
recess for FIVE minutes. Senator Records.
the Democratic leader, moved to separate.
and during the roll call the. Ststehouse