Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-02
DELAWARE GAZETTE AND STATE tJOURNAL-W

rejected by the people. We stand on
tho platform of tho greatest good to the
greatest number. What would be the
inevitable result of Constitution
formed by partisan convention? You
would find that such document
would be subjected TO all the campaign
thunder that now characterizes poiti-
cal warfare. believe that we should
in this instance discard party aiiilia-
tions. 1t has been said that nothing
would be accomplished by a non -parti-
san convention, but would rather risk
it in the hands OF a non-partisan than
partisan body of men. believe it is
more probable that an instrument
framed by a non bipartisan convention
would be ratified by the people than
one formed by partisan body. These
are the sentiments of most of the peo-
pie with whom have talked. They be-
leye that an instrument should be
framed for the whole people of Della
ware. / believe that the best interests
Of the State would be served BY
non partisan convention.
DIR. Henry, who is Republican,
said he was in favor of a partisan con
vention. He made few short remarks,
the substance of which was that he
attended the meeting for the purpose
OF hearing the speakers.
George Medill, Representative from
Pencader hundred, asked Mr.. White
man whether or not the convention
would have absolute power and il their
action would be final.
Mr.. Whiteman replied that such IS
not tho case. Their work must be sub
mitted to the people for ratification.
He stated that the convention will not
have the power TO enact.
Magistrate Joseph Dean favored
non partisan or bipartisan convention.
He thought that it would be better TO
trust the matter with such a body,
whether it was to be submitted to the
people or not.
Mr.. Medil again arose and said there
would be danger OF locking horns.
He is in favor of dividing New Castle
county, and he thought If that matter
was mentioned, the convention would
lock horns there. He thought there
would be similar troubles confront a
bipartisan convention.
L. Curtis Mote spoke in favor of a
non-partisan convention. He said:
1--WE have been wanting new Consti-
tuition for some time, and the only way
t. get satisfactory Constitution would
be to have non partisan body to frame
it. We want to get convention that
will frame Constitution not only for
the present, but for the future, and the
only way to get it would be to have a
non partisan convention" Applause. ]
Il. f. Powell, Single Tax advocate
from Wilmington, made few remarks
for a partisan convention. He claimed
! that nothing would result from nom
partisan body. He asked for farther
information.
Mr.. Pilling then gave his views as to
| how the delegates should be chosen,
which appeared in an interview pub
lished IN Every Evening recently. He
| spoke of what had taken place at ses-
sions of the Legislature when each of
the counties were represented by solid
delegations He said ii was a misfor-
tune to send Republican delegation
to tho Legislature from New Castle
county when the other two counties
sent solid Democratic delegations.
| Continuing, he said: We have 100, 600
population in this county, while there
are only so, 600 in the other two coun-
ties. Now. suppose we should send a
Republican representation and the
sented by Democrats and we said any
thing about increased representation
for New Castle county, what would we
getY" Applause.
Josiah Marvel followed Mr.. Pilling.
He said: "There are few men now lIv-
ing in Delaware who have had the op-
portunity of arranging the organic law
of our State, and when we consider the
| r,f fttfi
tion, it is matter of grave moment to
the people. 1t is decided by the people
of Delaware that we must have new
Constitution. Applause. For the
convention we will choose 30 men, and
| hope 30 Of the very best men in the
| State, and the question to be discussed
is whether partisan or non partisan
convention will be best. IL tho CON
vention is partisan it will be partisan
in it's results, and such convention
we do not want. We want conven-
tion that will work for the interest OF
the people. This meeting starts the
ball rolling, and ii will go on from town
to town and the people will have full
opportunity to express their views.
When we have tho non partisan princi
pal advocated by such men as Edward
G. Bradford and others | could men
tion, also almost unanimously by the
press of the State, can sec nothing
but good results. l am heartily in
favor of non-partisan convention. -
Hearty applause.
When Mr. Marvel had finished Mr..
Handy read the following resolution,
which was offered by Chairman Pilling
Resolved, That it is the sense Of
| this meeting that the recommendation
passed at the last session of the General
Assembly regarding bipartisan repre-.
sentation in the State Constitutional
Convention il carried out, will be for
the best interest OF all the people of the
/ State.
Mr.. Marvel moved its adoption and
it was carried almost unanimously by Q
rising vote.
The meeting then adjourned.
500 Reward 500. ..