Evening journal., 1896-03-06
Probably a New oastle Man.

We frequently hear the name Of Ebe
w. Tunnel and other down-state Demo-
Gratis Of prominence spoken OF for the
gubernatorial nomination, but the movfs
being made upon the political chess
board indicate that unless Acting
Governor Watson he nominated for full
term the nomination will assuredly come
to New Castle county.
1t is merely a question OF the per.
suAslve powers of Mr.. Watfon's friends
He has made an admirable record during
the short time that he has been In the
executive chair. bis appointments,
while not always In accord with the de-
sIres OF the party leaders, have been Of
such character, In the main, that no ex-
ceptlon can be taken to them. he has
been self willed and impulslve In some
instances. but no one will gainsay the
statement that no harm has come to the
public through any Of his official acts.
He has not always pleased the pollti-
clans. for the simple reason that II Is
beyond human power to do so. With
several candidates for each cffice and
with the frieuds OF each candidate
firmly convinced that their man is the
only one who sizes up to the EN- srgency,
there must be heart-hurtings and dis
appointments. That Is one OF the
disagressble features attending the
almost unlimited appointing power
vested In the governor Mr.. Watson's
experience is merely that Of every man
who has held the chair before him.
In making his selection he has not
always consulted the wishes OF those
men who control the primaries aud
usually control the governor; neither has
be shown particular astuteness In max
ing such appointments as will strengthen
his candidacy for full term, but there
Is one thing that can be said, and that Is.
that with one or two exceptions, his
sppolntees are worthy men and possess
the confidence ard esteem OF the public.
Had be truokled to certain men in New
Castle county who usually boast Of their
"pull" Ia the executivsl chamber, his
candidacy would not be attended by
those elements Of uncertainty which now
surround It.
That he has many warm personal and
political friends In all three counties Is ad
mitted on all sides, but we do not believe
that they are the men who preside over
and direct the primary elections at
which delegates to the State Convention
are selected Such men are opposed to
his nomination and their opposition is not
to be desplsed.
In the light Of all this it is pretty evil
dent that Mr.. Watson has little II any
thing to hope for from New Castle
county. The indications are that Peter
J. Ford viii sweep the city OF Whining
ton for the simple reason that he has
never failed to accomplish that object
when he set out In earnest to do so. Ia
rural New Castle county the vote will be
split up among Peter J Ford, DR.. John
j. Black, General Theodore +. Armstrong
and Mr.. Watson. The number going TO
the convention pledged TO the support
Of the lEttor will be very small indeed.
Mr. WAtson's indeperdsnt course as
executive has deprived him OF a solid
delegation from Kent county, aud the
dlssffsction In some OF the hundreds is
both marked ard significant inssmueh
that the trend Of opinion among those
who are opposed to a full term for the
present incumbent Is that the nomination
belongs to New Castle county by virtue
Of party usage 10 the matter Of rotation.
Many Of the prominent leadersloilSussex
county entertain the same opinion. They
are men who help TO make and control
delegations and their attitude assures 8
divided delegation from the lower county.
We cannot conceive how Mr.. Watson
can secure enough delegates to throw
the nomination to the midlsnd county,
and make him the standard bearer. II
he cannot, then the state convention
will certainly entrust to the New Castle
caucus the work OF selecting q New
Castle county man. and II that caucus
cannot agree, the convention Will take 9
hand In the matter and name New
Castle county man anyhow.
Tho r-..t-k 18th ovor ckfofnaI L..