Smyrna times., 1897-11-10

representing every voting precinct In
the State but Blackbird and Apo
quinimink Hundreds. The Court
House hall was filled and when the oc-
casiOn admitted of it, though they did
not meet for this purpose, there was
marked manifestations of enthusiasm
and determination in every action.
Though without saying so, the plain
meaning of the convention was that
they were done playing Harmony"
with a supercilious set of men, who
discarded compromise and demanded
only submission. Two meetings had
been held with view to harmonize the
factions. At first it looked as if they
were on the high road to an amicable
settlement of differences, to find them
selves abused and personally villifed
by those choosing to call themselves
the Regulars, in the papers of the
following week. Notwithstanding
these detractions they met them a sec
ond time, the Higgins faction making
the magnaminous (?) offer that four of
their State Central Committee should
resign and four Union Republicans be
put in their place, making the commit
tee stand eight 'Irregulars" and four
Union Republicans when the latter had
two votes in the State to their one, and
Kent and Sussex counties practically
solid. To be met with such PROPOSE
tions when they had come with sin
cere desire to harmonize differences,
was considered nothing but farce.
Hence its abrupt termination, and the
State Convention as above referred to.
The bone of contention in the first
''harmony" meeting seemed to be the
question of enlarged representation for
New Castle county. If this was the
real difference it has been met, for the
Convention of Union Republicans on
Thursday allowed the county S5-all
the delegates demanded-and 80 more
than either of the other counties, they
having so each. The Republicans of
Wilmington who may kick at this can
go to the Democratic party, where New
Castle county has only the same repre-
sentation as Kent and Sussex-5O dele
gates each.
Outside of the matter of leadership,
there can practically be but one other
matter of difference-the offices. The
Convention Thursday was composed of
the most representative men, at least
from Kent and Sussex counties, who
took the course they did under the full
! advisement of their convictions and
would have done what they did
without regard to any individual. and
the result would not have been differ
ent had Mr.. Addicks died one month
or six months ago. They meant what
was done for permanent action, and prin-
ted will now take the place of tradi-
tional rules.
But the offices, how about them?
With the Unionists they seem to be q
secondary consideration but with the
"Irregulars' they are primary, as was
evinced at st. Louis, and now made
manifest through the hypnotised Nc
Kinley Administration. They must
bear in mind this fact: the admins
tratiOn has time limit on il
while with the Union Republicans
it is perpetual. And the new
Constitution fixes the minimum of
their possibilities and they can elect
their Senators and Representatives il
Kent and Sussex counties, without the
aid of single Regular" vote, whereas
the latter cannot elect single man t.
the Legislature aUjthOW the aid Of the
Union Republicans. They can gel
nowhere but with the Administra
tion at Washington except to insure the
success of the Democratic ticket
While this is so, wide open door il
left for them to rejoin the party at any
time. New Castle County and its re
lation to politics is at their disposal OF
is it likely the Regulars" will be dis
turbed, should they desire to put ,
ticket in the field, but they will lear1
sooner or later that in a contest,
small minority can 'cut no ice, no
even in Washington.