Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-06-13
WI1aINGroN, JUNE 10
colonel du FONT. announcement.

/
We notice in Fridays Morning NeGs
statement from Colonel Henry A.
du Pont, which is doubtless authorized
aud must be considered as q formal
declaration to the people Of the State. II
is short but significant, and under the
circumstances is worthy of close atten-
ton.
Colonel du Pont says, as If in expla-
nation of his reason for making public |
statement; ~ was surprised TO hear yes,
terday that o report was current in the
lower part of the State that did notin-
tend to claim seat in the United States
Senate. This report is without founda-
ton"
Perhaps the report which causes this
surprise, grew out of the general opin'
ion that Colonel du Pont has not good
claim to seat in the United States
Senate. People in the lower part OF the
State may naturally have concluded
that Colonel du Pont would refuse to
push So weak claim. The question in
yolved has been quite fully discussed
and the report that the claim Of Colonel
du Pont had been abandoned, simply
indicates the general opinion of the peo'
pie as TO the merits OF the controversy.
But Colonel du Pont puts the report
at rest by the following declaration
al absolutely approve of the protest
made in the joint convention OF the
General Assembly against the psrtielpa-
al. - ANnteAn in, I,a Yarn
ceedings of that body, and propose, at
the proper time and i'll the proper place,
TO have an adjudication made not only
OF my clam, but of the right of the
people of this State 10 be fully repre-
scented in the Senate of the United
States.n
1t isa pity that Colonel du Pont has
been So badly advised. but the propriety
of making a contest was question for
him to decide and lie has decided to
make it.
He proposes TO have an adjudication
made Of his 'claim." That seems on
the face of it to mean that he will have
the question rs to whether acting Gov
ernor Watson had a constitutional right
to vote in the Joint Assembly adjudged
by the proper tribunal; for he has no
claim at all if the acting Governor was
within his constitutional rights The
proper tribunal, and the only proper
tribunal, to settle the true intent
and meaning Of the Delaware Constitu,
ton is the Delaware court of errors and
appeals,
1t is to be hoped that Colonel du Pom
proposes to carry his claim there, as hi
can easily do. lie claims seat in III,
United States Senate to represent tn,
State of Delaware. lie should accord
ingly show profound respect for tn,
State he desires TO represent, its govern
ment and lis courts 1t is not to be sup
posed for moment that such man
claiming a seat in the Senate, shares III
unfounded and disreputable opinion
expressed about Delaware's courts b
the bitter little fellows who write /
the Republican newspapers. Ills clair
is based upon novel construction c
our Constitution, running counter t
ALL of the precedents. II has never bee
raised before and therefore has nevt
been adjudioatcd. AS loyal DELI
warean, in asking for an adjudication
it is his duty to seek 1t in the Delawal
courts. When the Delaware court
errors and appeals has interpreted IL
true intent and meaning Of our Coz
stitution, its decision will stand III
questioned in the United States Sena
and everywhere else.
If Colonel du Pout is SO badly advise
that he proposes to avoid and igno
the courts of his State. and seek
secure Il seat in the Senate by an appG
to the partisanship Of Republican Sen
tors, he will if successful be at best
"federalized" Senator.
The Senators at Washington are not
part OF the judiciary, aud ills not with
their functions to give an adindicati,
of the meaning of the Constitution
Delaware.
1t is u proud thing for a Delaware
to be chosen by his State To represe
her in the United States Senate; |
there is nothing TO add honor 10 a
Delawareau in securing a scat at I
hands of other Senators which he col
not secure at the hands of Delaware.
Just what Colonel dI Pont means
his purpose to secure an adjudication
the right Of the people OF this State
be fully represented in the Senate
the United States,' we do not gra
II Is an uuquestioncd right; and