The sun., 1898-11-14
HAS REN0UNCED POLITICS
hon. L. Irving Handy Leaves the
Political Arena to En-
gage in Business.
HIS REASONS FOR RETIRING
Knew That He Was Doomed to Defe 1T
and CrucifixiOn on the "CrOss
of GOld"-His Political Enc
mics Also Blasted
Their Hopes.

Hon. L. Irving Handy, late Demo-
cratic candidate for Congress, has re-
nounced politics.
He intends to open business offices in
this city and leave politics alone in the
future.
The political careerof Mr.. Handy has
been short and unique, but in that time
he has learned bitter lesson and one by
which he intends to profit.
When Congressman Handy was re-
nominated for Congress by the Demo-
cratic State Convention at Dover he had
no idea That he was to be crucified on the
'cross Of gold"
Immediately after he opened his cam
paign, however, he soon ascertained that
his every movement was being hampered
by the Gold Democrats.
The two principal figures in this knit
ing process were Chairman John Biggs.
of the Democratic. State Central Com
mittee, and Chairman Patrick Neary, of
the Democratic County Committee of
New Castle.
After his first speech, delivered in
this city at the opening of the campaign,
Mr.. Handy recognized the fact that his
fight was a hopeless one.
He also at the same time became cog
infant of another fact, and that was that
both Messrs. Biggs and Neary were bit
terly opposed to his free silver speeches
and would not again attend mass
meeting at which he was to speak, if
there was any way by which they could
explain their absence.
He further gained the knowledge that
the Great-I-A Am and the Silent Man were
working for Hon. George Gray's return
to the United States Senate.
In order to accomplish their purpose,
as they then thought, they had not op-
posed his denomination, but had brought
it about so that they could use the knife
when the opportunity offered in the in
terests of Mr.. Gray.
1t was then that Mr.. Handy showed
the courage OF his convictit ns; his in
domitable will asserted itself, and al
though defeated man and recognizing
that fact he conducted his campaign on
the lines be had mapped out.
His speeches went for nought, as well
as those of John 6. Gray and ex-Con-
gresham Turner, of New York, but he
had the satisfaction of knowing in his
defeat that in crucifying him on the
"cross OF gold' these two men had gone
one step too far, and that the party Of
which they were the supposed leaders
was doomed to defeat. -
Not SO with Chairmcn Big"s and
Neary. They painted their ambitions in
roseate views, and up until the time
they received the last dispatch on No
vember s, when they learned where
they were at, would they acknowledge
the fact that in sacrificing Mr.. Handy
they had cut their own throats and sac
rificed their own party.
1t was bitter lesson, but no more SO
than that learned by Mr. Handy weeks
before.
He knew in blasting and knitting his
prospects for reelection they had blasted
their dearest hopes.
Mr.. Handy has been unique figure in
the politics of Delaware, for the reason
that he fought his own fight practically
unassisted.
He has gained the respect of all men,
irrespective of party affiliations, for the
manner in which he conducted the hope
less battle.
His enemies, he now knows, ARE politi-
cally dead and they will be required to
step down and out and relinquish the
reins as leaders of their party.
He also recognizes the futility of his
remaining in the political field, unless
the Democratic party is reorganized.
For this reason Mr.. Handy has de-
cided to go out of politics and engage in
business in Wilmington.
He considers his course wise one,
and firmly believes that in renouncing
politics he rids himself OF his political
enemies.
He knows they can now do him no
harm; he knows they crucifed him on
the ..:ross of gold" whilst extending
the hand of friendship, and he knows
that they will never again have the
chance of wrecking their own party.
They have done this once, but will
never have another opportunity.
Therefore. Mr.. Handy IS satified-he
leaves the political arena to enter busi-
ness.