Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-29

Special corrsspcndeuce oteszsyre ana Journal
Washington, April &c. The Acklan
divorce case. which ia now pending In
tho Delaware Legislature, gives promise
OF some startling Developments, and il
there is any truth In current rumors
some Delawareans may find themselves
in an uncotu Portable position in the
eyes OF the public befure very long.
Washington society is discussing the
matter, and especially the latest reports,
which have cropped out within week.
As near aH can be learned. tho mem
beers of the Delaware Legislature, who
heard tho testimony OF Mrs. Acklan
aud her mother. Mrs. Croker, wero
veiy favorably impressed with Mrs
Acklan's side OF the case, and, in view
OF the fact that she travels great
deal, they were willing TO concede her
resident of Delaware, as she had
lived there quite awhile. and after
short elaboration decided to recon-
mend TO both houses that the divorce
be granted. This was about two weeks
ago, and the fact that the case has not
been acted upon gives color to the
reports concerning the action of persons
who are said To have meddled with the
case. which they had no business to
do. 1t ID believed that bad the meddlers
kept their hands off the divorce would
have been granted before this.
1t ia said that three State officials,
who stand very close to the members Of
the General Assembly, and who ars sup.
posed to keep in touch with everything
| that is going on, and two prominent
| Wilmington politicians, one of whom is
said to bold city Office. and the other
who is looked upon as an emergency
assistant in divorce cases, recently,
either directly or indirectly approached
| a close personal friend of Mrs. A cklan "a
| aud volunteered the information that
for s6, COO they could pass tie bill
through the Senate. where it origi-
mated, and that, once through that body
| 1t would be an eaHy matter to get it
through the House.
1t is alleged that the persons who
made this generous proposition, init
mated that they had polled tho Senate
and had found that six Of the nine
Senators would cast favorable votes
| for 81, 700 each.
Subsequent developments are prooi
that the "hoodlerap got no encourage.
inent, and it Is also reported that the
nerson approached became very inlig-
Dant and Threatened TO expose the
whole affair and may do so set.
1t is also reported that the monstrous
proposition reached the ears of the
Senators. and that few days ago 4
secret council was helti, at which the
advisabiliiy of taxing Impeachment
proceedings against the supposed guilty
office holders was discussed. 1t il
positively known that at least two oi
the Senators manifested their con
demration, and Delawarean who wa,
here yesterday expressed the belief tina
tho Senate would yet expose the plot il
order to yindicate itself, as some OF tht
members look upon the report as re
Election upon their characters.
Dame Rumor also has it that Mr.
Acklan was urged to fight the grant.
ing Of the divorce. but as far aa car
be learned he has taken no steps ID tina
direction.
An effort was made to see Mr.. A cklan
but it was of no avail.
Friends Of Mrs. Acklan have heart
the reports, but nothing authentic cal
be obtained from that source.