Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1896-03-20

sure its defeat BY the people refus-
ing to ratify the work Of the Conven-
ton. For this reason we oppose a
bipartisan Convention.
So far as the Democrats have ex-
pressed themselves they are all in
favor Of bipartisan Conventions
that is, one in which the delegates
are equally divided between the two
parties. All of the Democratic news
papers are in favor of the bipartisan
Convention.
On general principles we do not
admire Washington Hastings-the
hre-eating Republican of Whining
ton; but his views on this subject as
expressed in the Sunday Press are
about correct. He says:
AS to the matter of the organiza
ton of the Constitutional Conven
ton, | have come to the conclusion
that there is one thing which should
not be done, and that is to provide
for an equal division of its members
between the two parties. The effect
of convention composed of fifteen
Republicans and fifteen Democrats
would be to make a negative body
aThere are Democrats who agree
with the Republicans that certain
radical changes are imperatively de
manded and those changes will have
to be made by the convention. Sew
eral ofthose changes are not Endorsed
by any considerable number of Dem
ocrats and the danger of an equally
divided body would be that pres
sure might be brought to bear upor
the Democratic members in a way tC
make a deadlock possible at any
time. 1t would be folly to make il
possible to create a negative body
it would be better to have no con
ventiOn at all. After the Repqbli
cans have struggled for years t.
bring about convention, even dur
ing a period when the calling Of il
would have put it entirely into the
hands of the Democrats, it would b.
a mistake to so divide the delegates
as to put it within the power of the
Democrats to block any reforms
which they might take it into theil
heads to oppose. No Legislative
body in the world is created upon q
basis of equal representation by two
parties. Such a suggestion Is alb
surd and not to be considered.
Upon the other hand,I am firm
believer in minority representation
in all legislative bodies, but under
the apt providing for the election OF
delegates to the Constitutional Con.
vention, see no way of providing
for minority membership. If the
General Assembly had been In earn,
est in its desire for a minority rep.
resentation-instead of simply max
ing an unofficial declaration that
such a plan might be adopted by the
parties themselves-the act provid-
ing for the calling of the convention
would have provided some way to
ensure a minority. One way would
have been by having the delegates
elected by the hundreds ! do not
believe that the two parties will get
together upon a plan for minority
representation. A bipartisan con-
Vention ought not to be thought of.
The DemocTats-strange to say
are almost solid for bipartisan
convention, which would be equiva-
lent to giving the Democrats the
convention. With fifteen votes
against fifteen votes it would be pos
sible to prevent anything of import
ance being done. For over a quar-
ter Of oentHry the proposition of q
new Constitution came solely from
the Republicans and they should not
now stultify themselves by agreeing
to a scheme which is so glibly advO-
Gated by the Democratic politicians.
They are entirely too willing to have
2 division of the delegates
HSummed up, my opinion Is that
a bipartisan convention is not to be
treated as a serious proposition /;
that it is impossible to provide IL
method acceptable TO all parties for
a minority representation, and that
the only wise course in sight is for
each party to nominate ten dele
gates in each county. If the Repub-
licans should obtain control of the
they may tie depended
to do those things for which they
have been working for a generation.
They are in earnest and the charac.
ter Of the men to be nominated by
them will ensure safe and oonserva-
tive action if they should be elected.
If the Democrats should be able to
secure control of the convention we
would soon discover whether or not
they have been in earnest in their
advocacy Of reform, The Republi.
can party has always been the new
Constitution party and it cannot ar
ford to surrender its principles at
Ibis time"
Gen. HarfSS Stand