New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-13
REOPEN THE DUPONT CASE.

Tho seating Of Mr.. Dupont in the United
States Senate offers a complete solution Of the
complicated and disgraceful situation in Della
ware Nothing else seems likely to prevent
the continuation of the struggle over the Sena-
torship and TO give the State its rightful rep
resentation in Congress. II would remove the
temptation to steal the Legislature under which
the Democrats have fallen and it would put an
end TO the Addicks pretensons, which have
been so discreditable to the State that some of
the Republicans there have preferred to rest
quietly and see the Democrats steal Assembly
seats rather than join with Addicks in the Or
ganiZation of protesting Legislature. More
over it would he doing the right thing by Della
ware and by Mr.. Dupont, and that after all is
the important thing. for no consideration Of ex-
pediency can excuse an unjust decision Of an
electoral contest.
There is not a shadow Of doubt that Henry
A. Dupont was elected United States Senator
from Delaware receiving the votes of major
itv of the total membership Of the Legislature.
by every consideration of law. precedent and
common sense Governor Watson was forbidden
10 usurp legislative functions while holding
the office of Governor The Constitution Of
Delaware specifically forbids him to be Senator
and Governor at the same time and for days
after the death Of Governor Marvil he Obeyed
the Constitution. Then, urged by the Addicks
men as a part of their rule or ruin policy. he
/ invaded the Joint Assembly, forcibly took pos
session Of the presidents gavcl and undertook
10 conduct the proceedings Afterward rcsum-
Ing his functions as Governor he arbitrarily
refused to certify Mr.. Dupont's credentials and
so made up technical case for contest at
ha
at length and the justice Of Mr.. Dupont's claim
amply proven. When the vote was taken he
was excluded by only one vote. That adverse
majority was not based on reason or law, but
only on craftsmanship and petty spite. Mr..
GRAY and the other Democratic Senators wished
TO keep the seat vacant TO hold down the Re-
publican vote. and in hopes of the election Of
a Democratic Senator this winter The Popu-
lists were actuaed by the same feelings which
had controlled their whole course of obstruc-
ton If they could not have free silver they
would block the wheels of government And
I'm addition to this Addicks, the protested Re-
publican. was doing all he could TO keep the
Republicans from having "A muchneeded vote.
The chance now offers TO repair that wrong.
The Senate can. If IL WILL revise its own judg-
ment. The honest gold Democrats should AS
sst in doing Justice They cannot hope to See
n Democrat from Delaware sealed In the lace
of Mr.. Duponts prior and superior claim with
out a long struggle If al all. They profess Ia
be actuaied by desire for fair play. Now is
the time for them to exercise II. Honest Re
publicans have come TO their rescue nj every
stage of this Administration. They helped re-
peal the Sherman law. they supported the
Presidents efforts to sustain financial credit.
they stood ready 10 send Carlisle 10 the Sen
ate rather than have free-silver man elected.
and nothing but the unwlingness Of gold
Democrats In kentucky To BE- helped ny Repub-
licans stopped them. In turn the gold Demo