The sun., 1898-12-07


problem much interest is manifested
amongst the politicians as to who will be
the respective speakers and officers in
the next General Assembly.
For speaker of the Senate there are
three candidates in the field, Senators
John Pyle, George M. d. Hart and
Stephen d. Slaughter. During the past
few days much opposition has been
made to Mr.. Pyle and the fight at pres.
ent is between the other two candidates.
For clerk of the Senate there are N.
Lindsay Mcfarland, of Smyrna; Wood
burn Martin, of Georgetown; G. w. Ken
ney, Of Laurel and Alexander NJ. DAILY,
Of Dover.
Two years ago Mr.. Mcfarland was a
candidate for clerk of the House, but was
defeated by George W. spicer, of New
Castle county. At that time, it is stated,
trickery was restored to, but now the
probabilities are that although Mr.. Nc
Farland has opposition he will be elected
out of recognition for the great services
he has time and again rendered for his
party. .. ...
There are number of candidates for
speaker Of the House, amongst the prom
inent ones mentioned being William
Tharp Of the Ninth Representative dis
trict, Kent county; John Pilling of the
Ninth Representative district; James D.
Kitchen of the First Representative dis
trict, and George M. D. Hart of the
Eighth Representative district, New
Castle county.
Mr.. Tharp appears to have the inside
track at the present time and will no
doubt be elected.
For clerk of the House there are Will
liam T. Smithers and A. A. Watson, of
Dover, and W. Scott Vernon of Will
mington.
Mr.. Watson, however, will only be a
candidate in case the speakership of the
House goes to Sussex county, and the
fight practically lies between Mr.. Smith
ers and Mr.. Vernon.
Walter II. Hayes and Frank Davis are
mentioned for counsel and the indica-
tions point to Mr.. Hayes for the posi-
tion.
The inventive power of the local polit-
ical gossips, anent the pending United
States Senatorial election, is immense.
Never before perhaps, even in Delaware,
has such a mass of inexcusable rubbish
passed current as political comment, as
is now current in this State and about
its politics. The gossips discover, or
make Senatorial candidates galore, and
to order, and appear determined to make
a Senatorial candidate of every Union
Republican in the State
Why should the Union Republicans
be the victims of such misrepresenta-
tions?
AS rule these gossips have been op.
posed to the Union Republican party;
they seem to have regarded this party as
n political organization having no means
or power of defense, and have picked at
it at their own sweet (?) wills, giving
great deal of time and wasting great
deal of effort, in futile efforts to discredit,
disturb and defeat it. 1t is reasonable,
therefore, to conclude that this recent
ebnlition of gossip is new attempt in
the same line. The gossips, and their
political masters, hope by giving it
multiplicity of Senatorial candidates, to
divide the Union Republican party into
irreconcilable factions, and thus compass
its defeat and destruction. That is
plausible scheme from Regular Re-
publican point Of view, bnt it will not
work with Union Republicans. The
party that has successfully wthstood the
attempts of national administration to
disrupt it, by an adverse disposition of
Federal patronage, is not to be disrupted
ey gossips.
! am led to make this statement by an
inquiry, few days ago, from promi-
nent "Regnlar' Republican, concerning
the number of Union Republican Sena-
total candidates, really in tie field. He
seemed inclined to think that the whole
Union Republican party had gone daft
over the Senatorial succession, and that
every fellow of them, who had achieved
any prominence in politics, was busy
dodgln5 imaginary Senatorial bricks.
When told him that knew OF only one
Union Republican Senatorial candidate,
he replied:
81 am glad to hear that!'
The reasons given.for his gladness, by
my Regular" Republican friend, were
unique. He stoutly maintained that a
multiplicity of candidates for the i'm.
portant offices in the gift of a party, is
proof Of lack of leadership and disc-
pllne; and that unless the men who give
time, ability and money for party SER
vice, are not to be recognized and hon
ored as leaders, effective party organiza-
ton Is impossible. l assented to this
proposition but | have been wondering
ever since how it was possible for NV
Regular" Republican friend to be glad
over the proof had given him, of good
leadership and good discipline in the
Union l. publican party.
Tie answer to the question suggested
by this anomalous condition Of nv
"Regr lar' Republican friend, may, DOS
slb'y, b found in remark recently re-
peated to me, and accredited to Mr..
Washington Hastings He is reported
to have said:
I'VE will have to elect Addcks Sena-
tor to { rid Of him."
That Is as good political suggestion
as 1t was ever Mr.. Hastings good fortune
to makc The avowed purpose of his
proposed acquescence to the inevitable is
littir at OF plumb, but the clean to"
is in tl' right direction.
The formation gave my Regular"
Kepu5' an friend, set him thinking.
lie m - ned off, at once into discus
son ;" caucus question anent the
coon ,s!on Of the State Assembly,