The sun., 1898-10-08
"When it was decided to hold but one


Republican primary election in New
Castle county the agreement was received
as an earnest endeavor upon the part Of
all Republicans to unite in common
cause to secure victory over the Demo-
cratic party. The candidates to be Sc
lected at such primary election were to
stand as Republicans and no pretixes
were taken into consideration. The elec-
ton was held and the candidates were
named in each district by majorities Of
the popular vote of those who had regis
tered and were entitled, under the new
primary election law, to vote for nomi-
nations. There were no charges that
any one of the candidates named was
unlawfully chosen or that any acts OF
wrongdoing were to be laid against any
voter or voters. The one purpose of
those who took part in the primary cleo.
ton was to select ticket that would be
acceptable to all Republicans and to thus
end the differences Of opinion so long
prevailing.
1t now appears that there is a disposi-
tion to bubble over the nominations and
an attempt is made to compel certain
candidates to give certain pledges of what
they will do in the event OF the Repub-
.licans obtaining majority in the
General Assembly. All this is opposed
to the notion that the compact of a
union of forces was to be strictly ad-
hered to.
mo man can afford to tie himself up
in advance with promises of what he
will or will not do in the event OF his
election and in the event of conditions
not yet created. When matters OF ma.
tional Importance are involved the case
is plain. OF course a man who holds to
free silver views would not be fit or a
logical candidate of the Republican
party. A man who is opposed to protec-
ton would not be bona-fde Republi-
can. As we take it all of the candidates
named at the primary election are in full
accord with the principles of the Repub-
lican party at large and they are also
unalterably opposed to the Democratic
methods as applied at Dover and else
where in the state in years gone by. All
of the Republican candidates for the
General Assembly, as we take it, are in
favor OF radical reforms in state affairs.
The Republican party is on record as al
ways advocating those things which are
for the best interests of the people, and
the candidates in this county are in
favor, we believe, of enacting laws that
will make the Levy Court and other
bodies responsibI, to the people by
whom they are elected. To attempt to
make candidates pledge themselves to
do this and that in anticipation OF their
election, is to reflect upon their Repub-
licanism. No selfrespecting candidate OF
any party can afford to pledge himself,
for instance, TO vote and contend for
legislative enactments that would be op-
Bosed to good government.
Suppose, for instance, that the ma
jority in the General Assembly at Dover
should hold caucus and decide, by Il
majority of that majority, that an act
should be passed disfranchising every
member OF the party opposed to them.
No self-respecting man cou!d beexpected
to abide by such an agreement. Sup
pose, further, that candidate had
pledged himself, in advance, that is in
the event of his election and the election
of majority of his party candidates to
the General Assembly, to support every
disreputabe scheme proposed by ma
jority of the members in caucus. Such a
man would find himself, if he were hon
est and straightforward, in an uneviabe
situation. 1t is not for any Republican
to demand Of any other Republican
what he will or will not do under GER
tain possible conditions. The Republi-
can nominees in this county are Repubi-
cans and that ought to be sufficient.
II there are to be any pledges given
they should be simply pledges that. be-
ing Republicans, measures in harmony
with the principles of the Republican
party will be supported by them. That
is sufficient.
The one important fact to keep in view
is the nece ssity for eecting Republican
majority in the membership Of the Gen
eral Assembly. The time has not yet
come for the read nstment of a state gov
ernment by caucus The caucus is we'll
enough to facilitate work of political
bodies represented in legislative organi-
cations, but cast.iron obligation to
stand by a caucus, right or wrong, pledges
to be given months in advance, and de-
manded for unwarranted reasons and in
violation Of a thorough understanding,
does not appeal to right-thinking people.
II VIC htDubllCdilS Vi lJcldNdIc are 10
fOlt TIE old Democratic machine the
way to do SO is to elect majority of the
members of the General Assembly. That
is the live issue today. If the Republi-
cans do not secure a majority in the next
General Assembly, reform in Delaware
will again be postponed. But that ma
jority cannot be secured by asking any
man to sacrifice the right to exercise his
honest judgment. ."-The M0,njug Nrow.
EDITOR OF TIE Sun:
DEAR SR:--The columns of the Re-
publican newspapers Of this city being
closed against any and everything ema-
mating from or in defense of Union Re-
pnbIcans. your indulgence is asked for
a reply t" an editorial in the Noraing
N,~s Of today.
The caption pf 5he editorial in nues-
ton was IAN Important Question:"
It presulnes to set forth the reasons why
the Regular Republicans who were
nominated as legislative candidates
should not give the pledges required of
Un.on Republican legislative candidates
for legislative Offices, by the rules of that
party.