Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-03-05

fANih washington correspondents
Washington, Feb %. Tho next
Legislature of the State Of Delaware
will be charged with tho duty of elect.
ing United States Senator to succeed
ex-senator Higgins, whose term of ser.
vice expired March 18th, 1895, for Col.
Henry A. du Pont, who claims to have
been elected to the senatorship, will
not be seated by the United States
Senate.
A gentleman on the "insider stated
to the representative of The Gazette
this morning that he had personal
knowledge of the fact that there were
at least six Republican members of the
Senate who had reached the conclusion
that Col. du Pont did not receive the
necessary majority OF votes to elect,
and they will vote against the resolution
to seat him. These Senators have
examined carefully into the merits OF
the case, and are men who will not
allow partisan preiudices to influence
their judicial Interpretation of the law.
They carefully reviewed all the facts
in the case, giving weight to the con-
tentions of the counsel on both sides of
the contest, and after fair and i'm
partial consideration OF all of the legal I
points involved decided that Acting
Governor Watson did not sacrifice his
senatorial rights when called upon to
assume the Office of Governor
These Senators are all lawyers OF
ability and their Interpretation of cen
stitutional law is always sought when
important judicial questions arc before
the country. They have expressed
their opinions on the rights Of the
claimants from Delaware, and some
extraordinary strong pressure would be
necessary to make them lay aside their
personal sense OF right and justice and
vote for the seating OF Col. du Pont
The party leaders will have to crack
their whips long and loud before these
members can be driven into voting az
the party dictates and not as they
honestly believe. Besides. two of the
Senators referred to are silver men,
and so would not follow the lead OF
their Eastern colleagues on the pending
matter. This was plainly demonstrated
in tho proceedings Of the Senate on
Wednesday,. The split In the Republi-
can ranks in the Senate grows wider
and wider, and Col. du Points chances
to seat IN that body grows proper
tionately simmer and simmer
But Col. du Pont cannot be seated
N'Nh M Va thu lobndLOTH
should vote for him, as the Populist
members are opposed to his claims. Al
their last caucus Senator Allen was
indirectly authorized to look into the
various phases presented and to report
the result OF his investigation to his
colleagues. The Senator said this
morning that he had not reached any
final conclusion as yet and would wait
until tho case was brought up and de.
bated. The other members of the marty
have gone over the case themselves and
will be able TO competently discuss the
resolution when it comes before the
Senate.
Two members of the Populist party
stated to the correspondent OF Tho
Gazette yesterday afternoon that they
had gone over the reports submitted
and from their present understanding
OF the case would vote against the seat
ing OF Col. du Point.
So tho members OF the Delaware
Legislature may az well begin prepara-
tions for another senatorial election,
and the party leaders decide upon their
candidates in advance, so that when
they meet a Senator may be elected
without wasting the entire session in
ballotinG and thereby deprive the
people of the State their Just repre-
sentation in the United States Senate.