The sun., 1898-12-25

mas gifts for their relatives and friends.
The problem has again simmered
down between j. Edward Addicks and
Hon. George Gray, and from present in
dications the fight will be made by the
Regular Republicans and Democrats for
the latter and by the Union Republicans
for Mr.. Addicks.
The Regulars and Democrats will dc
all in their power to defeat Mr.. Addicks
and elect Mr.. Gray and al this time it
looks as if they may still be able to fol-
low the mandates of the Administra-
tion and return Mr.. Gray to the United
States Senate.
In discussing the ineniciency or mis-.
management OF the Levy Court it has
been suggested that the present system
be abolished as being too cumbersome,
and new one substituted, providingsa
less number. Five is the number usually
named, but it is questionable whether a
body of this small size could attend
strictly to the multifarious duties that
would come before it with the thorough
ness that one Of large membership
could give.
The great trouble with the present
system is not SO much that the body is
too large, as that the men elected are
very often not business men, in the
strict sense of the term, and do not give
the attention to their public duties that
they do to their own private affairs.
There should be no difficulty in select
ing even as large number as we have
now of the right kind of men, if care is
taken in doing it, and ii each one pays
careful attention to his own constituents
and gives his best time and talents to
the work there would be no trouble.
Dividing the labor among too few Is
worse than among too many, as injustice
would often be done by want OF time to
investigate the matter before them
A change of some kind is necessary,
and what it should be requires careful
consideration. -DelaWare Democrat.
The next Legislature meets January
3, next, and about the only business
that will occupy its attention, until the
l7th of January, will be the business of
caucusing for u S. Senator. Mr.. Ad-
dicks in spite of his assertion to the con-
trary, does not feel so sure that he can
get caucus meeting, much less caucus
that will agree upon him for the U. S.
Senate The Regulars are claiming that
they would have more than mere ma
jorlty OF a caucus, should caucus be
called, and there seems to be some
grounds for their claims, for these are
men among the Regulars who will never
vote for Addicks. The Addicksites claim
they have q votes assured but when the
real balloting commences, the votes can
be better counted,-Susser Journal.
Upon the Republican members OF the
next General Assembly, who will COM
prise majority on joint ballot of the
two houses, will devolve the duty of
electing a successor to United States
Senator George Gray, whose term ex-
pires on the fourth day of March, 1899.
Senator Gray is one of the leading
figures in the Senate. For years he has
been conspicuous for his ability, his
craftsmanship, and his comprehensive
grasp Of the many grave questions that
constantly come before Congress. In
tellectually, and in every other respect,
he has proved the peer OF the very pick
of MS fellows, and thus has ever ably
maintained the brilliant reputation OF
his native State of always having at least
one Senator who was the equal Of the
biggest and brainiest member of the
body,
1t is no injustice, and in 10 sense dis.
hot n =,
party of Delaware cannot produce man
who is Senator Gray's equal in all the
attributes that have made him so con.
spicuous as great national figure. The
only thing to do, therefore, is to come as
near as possible to matching him. And
in doing this, the choice will necessarily y
be restricted to an unusual degree. The
Delaware Republicans who can be con
sidered as even approaching Senator
Gray in intellectual calibre and states
manship can be readily pointed off or
the fingers of a single hand.
With the great object IN view OF pre-
serving the reputation and choicest ira
ditions of the State, the Republican
members of the next General Assembly
should approach the duty OF electinl
oeHatOT UTdy SuCCeSsor. lney SDOulC
resolutely put aside all feelings OF fac
tional advancement or personal profit
They should meet in conference for tn
sole purpose Of choosing Senator wht
will reflect honor upon the State
Naturally, this will reiegate to the rea
some of those most conspicuous in thu
disgraceful scramble now in progress
for the high office, and trample upol
the presulnptuous aspirations of thos
who regard this choicest gift within
the bestowal of the people of Delawar
as mere reward for party services, o
prize in the pool of political lottery
But the State will be the better off, ant
the people the better served, if this ent
shall be attained.
Will the Republican members of tn
next General Assembly approach TIL
grave duty now confronting them il
this spirit, and with the sole inten
OF honoring the State and its people il
the selection for Senator that they ma
make? If not, it will be better fo
them to follow the precedent set b
their fellows four years ago, and let tn
session come to an end without an
Senator at all. Rather vacancy in tn