Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-30

hpeclal lCorrespondenceO Gazette and journal
WASHINGTON, May 27.-The Delawareans
residing here have been very much in
terested in the Delaware Senatorial fight,
and IL is still an interesting topic of con-
yersation. Many opinions have been
formed and expressed as to whether there
was all election and the copies of the
Delaware Constitution in the Libraries of
the departments have been in great de.
mand, The correspondent of The GAZETTE
called ON lion. Thomas Holcomb. auditor
for the State and other departments tor-
merry fifth auditor of the Treasury, who
keeps well posted on occurrences in his
State and asked him for his views on the
subject. MIR. Holconb said;
II doubt that Col. du Pont will make
contest for seat in the Senate and am
quite sure that If he does. the Senate will
not sustain his contention. The Consttu-
tion of Delaware, section IA, article 2,
provides that upon any vacancy happen
ing the office of Governor the
Speaker of the Senate shall exercise the
Office until Governor elected by the
people shall he duly qualified" 1t will
be seen that the Speaker of the Senate
exercises the office of Governor. The
office he holds is Speaker of the Senate and
by right Of holding that Office he performs
the duties of the Governor. In other
words, he does not hold two offices, as
prohibited by another provision of the
Constitution. If he should resign the
office of Speaker he would, ipso. tdcto
cease to have the right to exercise the
office of Governor. He is Speaker of thu
Senate and MS such acting Governor moi
Governor. The Constitution provides that
the "Governor shall hold his office fol
four years and under this provision If th'
Speaker of the Senate became Governor
he, would be entitled to hold the Oilic'
I Dir years, while as Speaker exercising th'
office of Governor he only exercises thns'
duties until Governor is elected at th
next general election.
II cannot think that it was the intention
of the makers of the Constitution to de
prive the people of the county which tn
Speaker of the Senate in part represents
OF its full representation which would b
the case if he could not perform the dutie
OF a Senator"
Mr.. Holcomb also called attention t.
another provision Of the Constitution
which adds to the strength of his opinio
and which would cause further CON
pication and inconsistency if the conter
ton of Col, du Points friends that in rs
suming the Office of Governor the Speake
OF the Senate sacrificed his rights an
privileges as Senator, is correct. In tn
sections referring to qualifications fC
Governor and State Senators the Delawal
Constitution provides that the HoVernt
shall be at least 80 years Of age while Stat
are elegible to serve at the. age-f
27 years. This plainly shows that it wa
NOT he,intention of the trainers of tn
Constitution that the Speaker OF the Sena
should be more than acting Governor
Thus, If the Speaker of the Senate were
years OF age and was called upon to assuu
The office Of Governor, he, under anoth'
section Of the Constitution which devolvt
those duties upon him, would not
eligible to serve. This is too apparent q
Inconsistency to be accepted is an owe
sight.