Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-12

ttNai bldkute, ne InullHu0u, pTuc-
tice and precedent nre to be accepted
as conclusive OF the true meaning and
purport OF the ambiguous language.
In this case the precedent established
Dy Mr.. Polk in roassunling his scat in
the Senate after serving as Governor
should settle the question unless there
are conflicting cases of which / have
no knowledge. | should think that
the acting Governor would find con-
elusive authority for this action in tho
records of the Aldermanic Boards of
the large cities, where the President of
tho Board of Aldermen would assume
the Office of Mayor during the absence
OF that functionary for days and weeks
at n time but would continue to act
as presiding officer OF the board and
exercise all of his rights as an alder
man. The Delaware condition presents
to my mind parallel case. 1"
There ia one feature of the case which
would interfere with Col. du Fonts
plans, even il tho matter should come
before the Senate in partisan form.
That is, that II is owing to split in
the Republican party 10 Delaware that
the present condition OF affairs exists,
and that hs Col. du Pont was merely a
compromise candidate, the two factions
ate not satisfied as their candidates
were not elected, and, therefore, many
OF the prominent Republicans of the
state are opposed to the seating OF Col.
du Pont, and will use their influence
against him. If, TO present hypo-
thetical case, Col. du Pont came before
the Senate as the unanimous choice of
his party in the State, and was de-
feated by the Democrats. political
prejudice would in all probability have
much weight in deciding the alleged
ambiguity Of the Constitution. As it
is he is not the unanimous choice OF
his party, and with Democratic oppo-
sition, backed by clinching and con-
elusive arguments. law and precedents,
together with members of his own party
working against him, his chances to
secure the much coveted seat in the
Senate for six years are indeed dis.
couraging.
This little suggestion came from a
Republican Senator, aud from the sig
nificant wink which accompanied the
statement one would infer that some
thing interesting was transpiring be-
hind the Lcenes. ''You know re-
marked this statesman, who requested
that he be not quoted for fear Of caus-
ing unpleasantness among his political
friends in Delaware, "the Senatorial
fever is very severe and hard to shake
off when once the ambition is aroused,
and six years is long time to wait for
another chance'
Then. still another point against Col.
du Pont is the undeniable fact that
several Republican members are some
what disgusted that the Delaware
members of the party should have made
such an exhibition of themselves in
their futile efforts towards elocting a
Senator with 10 members out of the
total of 30 members of the Legislature,
and are not disposed TO countenance
this utter failure to discharge their
imperative duty when everything was
in their power. That Col. du Pont is
capable man for the position and
would faithfully serve his constituents
is not considered. The Legislature
should have sent their representative
to Congress without a question as to
the Legality Of his election, and thus
not seem to throw the burden of re-
sponsibility upon the shoulders of the
members of the Senate, who have many
perplexing questions to deal with,
without taking up individual contests.
And this, too, Just before Presiden-
tial election. How to fulfi the promises
which they have made to the people OF
their respective States is trouble enough
for the majority OF the Republican
Senators, so Delaware must hold an
other election for Senator.