Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-01
The National Democratic Ticket on the
OificIal Ballot.

The National pemoora,ie 1ichet on the
otticiai Ballot.
1t is matter OF regret that Clork of
the Peace Foard, who is most com
potent official and a gentleman of fair
ness and sound Judgment is OF the
opinion that the law will not warrant
him in placing the ticket of the
National Democratic party under that
name-upon the official ballot The
objection is, we believe, that the party
name is practically the same as that of
the Democratic party, and that the law
prohibits the placing upon the official
ballot of two tickets under the same
party name or device.
1t ia fortunate that there is yet
time for the careful consideration of
the matter, for it is one of the greatest
Importance. 1t has been held that the
names National Democratic Party"
and Democratic Party are sufficiently
distinctive-especially when it ia cons
sidered that they will be accompanied
| by widely different devices-one a
rooster and the other plow--to obviate
the danger Of confusion in the minds
OF the voters. No man, however ignor.
ant, would be likely to vote one ticket
| in mistake for the other.
If precedent is desired, it is found
at the election of 1892, when the
ticket of the Independent Colored
Republican Party" appeared upon the
official ballot in company with the
ticket of the Republican Party, -
This, as far as similarity of names is
concerned, is exactly on par with
National Democratic Party" and
Democratic Party And in the
pending campaign. the tickets of the
Republican Party and of the Union
Republican Party have been offered
for positions on the official ballot, with
out opposition from any one, SO far as
known at this writing.
In other respects, the issue
is one that demands the great
est consideration. 1t affects the
interests of the Democratic party OF
the State of Delaware. The National
Democratic ticket will bear the names
of three National Democratic candi-
dates for Presidential electors and one
National Democratic candidate for Rem
resentative in Congress. In connection
with these four candidates, there will
be twenty-four nominees of the Demo
cratic party in New Castle county, and
nearly as many in each of Kent and
Sussex counties. These include nomi-
nees for Governor. Legislature, Consti.
tutional Convention, Levy Court, sheriff,
coroner, county treasurer and county
comptroller. Here is a notable array
of important off ces dependent upon
the coming election.
1t is of the utmost Importance that
the Democratic party elect all of these
candidates, for the local issues involved
are OF far more Importance to Delaware
Democrats than the election of Presi
dent and Congress. One is national
the other affects the people of thu
State in their most vital domestic con.
GERMS The placing Of the Nationa
Democratic ticket upon the officia
ballot will very materially aid in secur
ing the election OF all these Democratic
State and local candidates, as it will
make it an easy matter for those whr
desire to vote for these candidates, il
connection with Palmer, Buckner ant
Bayard, TO do SO by simply stamping
a cross at the proper place on thu
ballot. To refuse the National Demo
) cratic ticket place upon tho oiiicia
ballot would compel its supporter Il
vote split ticket in order to express
their sentiments-a course that is, 70
obvious reasons, both undesirable ant
dangerous
The interests of all tho Democratic
nominees, therefore, are involved il
this matter, and as all will natural,
desire to be elected, they will doubtless
, join in the request that the Natioua
Democratic ticket be given place upol
the official ballot. The consequences
? of its rejection might be fatal to Demo
1 cratic SUCCESS, and we take il that NJ
, Democrat cares TO assume position
which, while involving no real poltica
principles, might threaten disaster t,
tho Democratic party of Delaware.
-----
y The representatives of the Nationa
! Democratic party of Delaware in thei
: State Wednesday night, mad
an admirable selection in nominatin,
Thomas +. Bayard, Jr, for Repre-
Y sentative in Congress. Mr.. Bayard i
Q of family that has been prominent il