Evening journal., 1896-04-04
A EspasllsAn as.pon.,nnltr.

-~-'~d' @A<tNunninillfys
In response to feeling of Justice the
Democrats OF Delaware have made the
sensible proposition to the Republicans
that, In order to eecure a new constitu-
ton which win be fair In its provisions
and be ratified BY the people when sub.
mitted to them, the delegates to the
Constitutional Convention be equally
divided between tbs two parties. Demo
Gratis are in fsvor Of constitutional
reform untainted by partisan bias and It
Is encouraging to know that many Re
publIcsns Of prominence agree with them
In sentiment. Unfortunately. they do
not control the machinery and press Of
tho Republican psrty. There is a decided
disposition on the part of Washington
Hastings and others Of his kind to dis
regard the wise counsel of such Repub
lIcans IS ex-Sfate Senator John PIllIng.
Edward G. Bradford and Hon. George NJ.
Fisher, Who have como ont uneoulvooally
FOR bipartisan convention, who 20 into
the political battle next FAN with "Whole
hog or noneP as their motto.
Now that the peopls Of the state have
declared At the polls that they want
new constitution. the Democrats party is
In favor OF framing an inst rument that
will meet with their sanction when sub
mitted to them for acceptsnce or II &C.
uon. That Is the sole reason for the
bipartisan proposition made by the
Democrats. They wish TO raise the fun
damental law Of our state out of the
mirs OF partisan politics and entrench It
behind strong public sentiment which
VIII stand between 1t and the demagogue
and practical politicians who can see no
good in anything that cannot be applied
to the accomplishment Of their own
selfish ends.
10 a partisan sense the offer made
BY the Democrats Is uagnsnlmous one
That they win carry At least two Of the
three counties there can be no doubt. The
Republicans are confronted with treach-
cry from within, and q united Democracy
from without There is no disposition
on the part Of the Higgins aud Addlcks
factions to settle their dlfferencss and
bury the hatchet. II anything, they are
more bitter and determined to day than
they were during the memorable struggle
for supremacy year ago. Should the
Higgins men win at the primaries, the
Addlcks men will not scruple to defeat
them at the general election; while self
preservation demands the defeat Of the
Addicks wing OF the party At the hauds Of
the Higgins faction. II Addlcks once
gets control, ex-senator Higgins and hIs
lieutenants might just as well close up
Corruption Hall and sell theft machinery
and outfit to the Democrats, for they win
be out Of work. There Ia not a sign OF
dsaffection In the Democratic party, and
no likelihood that anything will arise to
disturb the existing harmony.
This isthe- condition which confronts
the Republican party and II constitutes
the Democratic offer to divide the Consti-
tuiional Convention delegates. a matter
Of partisan charity.
We want new constitution which will
be ratified by the people, and we feel con
6dsnt that neither party can frame one
which will be satisfactory to both parties
and ensure It against partisan attack
The convention will cost many thousands
OF dollars. and for one party to control Il
will mean loss Of time. labor and money.
Should the men who control the Re-
publican party force the Democrats to
nominate three stralght-out Democratic
delegations, the people will hold them TO
strict accountability for their partisan
blindness.
Democrats have nothing to lose, but
much to gain BY the present constitution
remaining in full force and effect, Tor
they have many Representatives In older
whose tenures will depend upon the
provisions Of the new constitution and
its ratification BY the people. Here is
another evidence OF Democratic partisan
magnanimity.
A sense OF public duty inspires 10 to
make prop ,sItion which will, II &C
cepfed resnIt Ia public good lire
jscted. it cannot be held accountable Tor
the coassqueacss.