The sun., 1898-12-27

is about as far away as ever.
As far as ascertained from the few per-
sons seen yesterday the situation re-
mains the same, and the only real factors
towards solving the problem are }.
Edward Addicks and Hon. George
Gray, the latter Administration Demo-
crat.
I'll rough fusion with the Democrats
the Regular Republicans are hopeful OF
accomplishing the wishes of President
Mckinley and Mark Hanna and re-elect
Mr.. Gray to the position he has leld for
three terms.
They are willing to go to almost any
end to defeat their foe, the Union Re-
publicans and Mr.. Addicks and although
they concede that the latter gentleman
has done much for the success of the
party, yet they will see to it that he is
defeated if there is any way to accom-
plsh such result.
The Regulars are aware that the only
way to do this is to fuse with the Demo-
Gratis, and as this has already been done
they hope to kill two birds with one
stone on January 17--defeat J. Edward
Addicks, Republican, and return Hon.
George Gray tc the United States
Senate at the dictation of the Admins
tration.
One week from today the members
elect of the General Assembly will
gather at Dover, preparatory to organic
ing the session to be held for the first
time under the provisions OF the new
constitution. That instrument is still
new, in that its provisions have not yet
been put into full force and effect. The
Senate and the House will be greatly in
creased in membership, and the session
will be limited to sixty days.
These two new conditions, coupled
with the elimination of much of the
petty work that formerly occupied the
time of the legislators, should be pro-
ductive of good. There is much serious
work to be performed and there is a
United States Senator to elect. In the
selection of the successor to Mr.. George
Gray will be found one obstacle, we fear,
in the way of a prompt performance of
matters purely legislative.
There has been but little gossip con-
cerning the next Senator, the Demo-
cratic papers doing most of the agitation,
and in the absurd line of trying to prove
that the Republican majority ought to
elect Democrat to the United States
Senate. The Republican members-elect,
on the other hand, have kept their own
counsel, and we firmly believe they have
been giving the subject deep considera-
ton. 1t is matter that has to do with
national affairs and all eyes will be
turned toward Delaware. 1t is recog-
nized and admitted among all classes of
men that it is obligatory upon the Re-
publican members to select man who
will be ere lit 10 the State, a valuable
acquisition tothe United States Senate
anu man who stands for those lofty
principles that have made the Republi-
can party an element OF strength and the
agent of prosperity for a generation or
more. We trust that the Republican
members of the General Assembly have
made up their minds to select for United
States Senator man who is sans peur e,
sans reproche. No other will be ac'
ceptable. Morning Neacs.
Old Santa Claus today might have
dropped handsome present in the shapt
of an assurance of seat in the United
States Senate into the hanging stockings
of either Mr.. Addicks, Colonel du Pont
Mr.. Higgins, Mr.. Willis or some others
but he didn't. So the politicians will
continue during the week to shake tht
Christmas tree in the hope OF seeing the
gift fall.
They all admit that the solution OF tht
problem before the Legislature, which
will meet the first week [ I the new year
is in considerable doubt. No positive
additions to the forces of Mr.. Addicks
who appears to be leading, are reported
though his leutenants are confident tina
he be has a larger following than any Q
the other aspirants. 1t will take q vote
to win.
One of the Democratic members of tn
lower House today said that while b
regarded Mr.. Addicks as having the bes
chance of election, the Republicans {
both factions had approached him, ask
ing if the Democrats or some of ther
would not vote for a Republican cand
date.
Each faction used the same argumen
They said that the fight between the RI
publicans had aided the Democrats i
the past, and as Democrat could not /
selected some of the Democ as migl
vote for Republican.
The Democratic leader declared tb,
his party MEMBERS however, would tai
no hand in the fight, and would vote fc
the nominee of the Democratic caucu
The caucus, this Democrat said, wou
probably name Senator Gray.
There is undoubtedly a considerab
feeling that it would be a good thing fl
Delaware if the Legislature would r
turn Senator Gray as the outcome of IL
present fight, and there has been consi'
cradle talk of combination of Regul
Republicans and Democrats to elect M
Gray.
Postmatter Hugh c. Browne. chairms
OF the Regular State Committee, said la
night that Mr.. Gray would get no r
publican votes. "The President" sa
Mr.. Browne, "has not communicated
me in any way, either directly or inc
rectlv, that he wished the Regular X
publicans to aid in Mr.. Gray's re-ele
tion. OF course, he has high regard I
Mr.. Gray, and it may be out of this tn
the report grew"
Tho Poc,,Ior pn,,,,lv1;ro,, ., le of1nra decla