Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-25


the primary election law for the city of
Wilmington, which was passed by tho
Senate yesterday, preeipitated lively
discussion, In which Senator Handy
was the central figure
Senator Fenimore, who reported tho
substitute, stated that tho measure had
heen carefully prepared 80 as not to
favor either political party. He said
that not being resident of Whining
ton he had no personal interest 10 the
measure. but should vote for 1t because
II had been demonstrated to him that
the people were In favor OF II.
Senator Alrichs. who had n copy OF
the substitute hill In his possesaion,
called attention TO several inaccuracies
In the original as road, and on motion
the clerk was directed to make the
necessary corrections.
Senator Handy said that the eubsti-
tute was entirely different from the
original bill, aud that for tho informa.
tion of the members he thought that
100 copies should be printed, and made
motion to that effect.
Senator Pyle asked Mr.. Handy IL il
was fact that the substitute was On.
tirely different from the original. as
the latter had asserted.
Mr.. Handy said that it differed SO
much that be was unable to recognize
the measure from tue printed copy OF
the original, which he held In his
baud during the reading.
Senator Hanby's motion TO print 100
copies was not seconded, and this fact
made him more determined than ever
TO express his sentiments, which he
proceeded to do. He said
Mr.. Speaker, notwithstanding the
failure OF any OF my fellow. Senators to
second motion which in its very
nature 10 only proper, and not asking
too much, cannot sit bore quietly and
500 measure OF such vital interest 10
the people OF tho city of Wilmington
voted upon without expressing my con.
victions In regard to IL. have no oh
lection whatever, Mr.. Speaker, TO the
Democratic party naming fhe men who
shall conduct tho primary elections OF
that party. but do strenuously object
to any measure which, like that under
consideration, was drafted SO far as the
interests OF the Republican, are con
,cerned without consultation with the
organization which represents the large
majority of the Republican voters of
the city of Wilmington. 1t has been
said that all parties were consulted.
This | emphatically deny. was never
consulted, and tho representatives OF
the Republican party were not even
asked to express preference. Ono of
the men named as n Republican in this
bill ia not Republican In tho eyes. OF
the organization, which is sufficient,
in my opinion, to strike his name from
the bill. Who, lot me ask. is this
man Knox2 should like some one 10
give me little insight into his politi.
cal character. Mr.. Baynard ] know
we'll, and his political and private
character is beyond question. ~
Senator Pyle here interrupted his col.
leagus from New Castle and read from
tho Wilmington directory description
Of Mr.. Knox.
Senator lianby resumed by moving
70 strike out the name OF Samuel M.
Knox and inserting that of Stephen
Duwney. Continuing, he said that he
wRs we'll aware AS to tho actions of the
man who was chosen as the representa-
tive OF Republicanism when this bill
was liked up. who" he asked,
delegated him to represent the Re-
publicans of Wilmington"
Referring to Republicans who had
band in drafting the substitute, he
eaid: never was, Mr.. Speaker, nor
never will he afraid to brand traitor
as such to his face. 1t makes no diff
ference to ne whether that traitor
meets me with musket over his
shoulder or with paper ballot in his
hand. These so. called representatives
Of Republication are not here to-day.
They have Rugged the walls of this
General Assembly for weeks, but now
that they have Accomplished the de-
sired end they make themselves
scarce.
The Senator then moved to strike out
that portion of the bill allowing the
judge OF the municipal court to inflict
fine and Imprisonment.
Senator Pyle said that it should be
a source of profound pleasure to every
Democrat that not one of that party
has been subjected TO such severe
arraignment as the Senator from New
Castle had visited upon men of his
party.
Senator Hanhy interrupted and said
that the men whom he had arraigned
did not belong to the same party with
him.
Senator Pyle. not needing the intor-
ruption, atated that the men named in
the bill TO conducr the primaries were
Ut the highest character. The only
object, be said, was to purify the pri-
Earies. When tho fountain head la
foul the stream is bound to be pol.
luted. This bill is 10 the Interest of
reformation, copies OF ii have been here
for at least eight days, and there is no
excuse whatever for any member of
this body II he has failed to acquaint
himself with its provisions. The only
persons Offering opposition to this bill
are those who desirs matters to CON
tinue as they have in the past.
Senator Handy said that the dominant
faction OF the Republican party had
not been consulted because it was rer-
ogniged that the Union Republicans
alone were to be feared by their politi-
cal opponents. "Were il not" he
said. "for the Union Republicans, tho
Democrats wond have no trouble In
controlling the State We have no
reason to trust Mr.. Knox politically
otherwise ! know nothing of him, +"
Senator Fenimore said that the bill
did not deprive electors from SELECTING
men OF their choice to hold tho pri-
iparIes.
Senator Handy" Yes, but two can
out vote ono all the timo.
Senator Pyle--"What would be the
result il the fnctional aspect was
changed and Mr.. knox's name stricken
from tho bill?"
Senator Hanby--"Thsn there could
20 no ohlootion to the composition OF