Smyrna times., 1897-01-20
REOPEN THE DUPONT CASE.

The seating of Mr.. Dupont in the
United States Senate offers com.
plete solution of the complicated
and disgraceful situation in Delaware.
Nothing else seems likely to prevent
the continuation. of the struggle over
the Senatorship, and to give the State
its rightful representation in Congress.
1t would remove the temptation to
steal the Legislature under which the
Democrats have fallen and it would
put an end to the Addicks pretensions,
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 organization of a protesting Legis-
lature. Moreover it would be doing
the right thing by Delaware and by
Mr. Dupont, and that after all is the
important thing, for no consideration
of expediency can excuse an unjust de-
cision of an electoral contest.
/
that Henry A. Dupont was elected
United States Senator from Delaware,
receiving the votes of a majority of the
total membership of the Legislature
By every consideration of law, pre-
cedent and cOmmOn-sense, Governor
Watson was forbidden to usurp legis-
lative functions while holding the Of
fee 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 Con-
stitutiOn. Then, urged by the Ad-
dicks men as a part of their rule or
ruin policy, he invaded the Joint AS
sembly, forcibly took possession of the
presidents gavel and undertook to
conduct the proceedings Afterward,
resuming his functions as Governor,
he arbitrarily refused to certify Mr.
Duponts credentials and SO made up
a technical case for a contest at Wash
ingtOn. There the question was ar
gued at length and the justice of Mr..
DuPon' s claim amply proven. When the
} vote was taken he was excluded by
) only one vote. That adverse majority
J was not based on reason or law, but
only on partisanship and petty spite
Mr.. Gray and the other Democratic
Senators wished to keep the seat vacan
: to hold down the Republican vote, and
in hope of the election off Democratic
= Senator this winter. The Populist
3 were actuated by the same feeling.
r which had controlled their who'll
t course of obstruction. If they could
e not have free silver they would blocl
f the wheels of government. And in ad
r ditiOn to this Addicks, the professe,
+ Republican, was doing all he could t.
= keep the Republicans from having
b much-needed vote
+ The chance now offers to repair tina
/ wrong. The Senate can, if it will, re
/ wise its own judgement. The homes
It gold Democrats should assist in dOin
justic. They cannot hope to see
It Democrat from Delaware seated in tn
/. face of Mr.. Dupont's prior and super
;, ior claim without long struggle, if &
, all. They profess to be actuated by
l. desire for fair play. Now is the tim
3 for them to exercise it. Honest RI
d publicans have come to their rescue
h every stage of this Administration
N They helped repeal the Sherman Law
Is they supported the Presidents effort
re to sustain financial credit, they stoo
v ready to send Carlisle to the Sena
n rather than have a free silver ma
Of elected, and nothing but the unwil
i ingness of gold Democrats in Ker
10 lucky to be helped by Republican
5s stopped them. In turn the gold Dem
s Gratis helped elect Mckinley and pror
y ised to support him in moderate mea
ures. So the chance for friendly CT
of operation is established. 1t cam
40 better be put in operation than to gi
~ seat to a man justly entitled to
ce and put an end once and for all tC
n contest which is discredital0le to bo
a parties in Delaware, which depriv
es the State of its voice in the Cover
le ment and form which no party is
ze position to reap either honor or a
n vantage. N. Y Tribune.