Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-20


Tho President and Delaware Politics.
The Dover Deawarean, in its mid
week issue, gives some interesting in
formation with respect to the appoint
ment of the Rev. Jonathan S. Willis to
the position of census supervisor for
Delaware. The information is con-
tained in an editorial reading as fol-
ows:
The Smyrna Times very courteously
desires to know where the Delawarean
received its authority for intimating
that Congressman Hoffeoller opposed
the appointmont on Hon. j. S. Willis
as Census Supervisor for Delaware. =
just as courteously the Delawarean rises
to reply. On the authority of Hon.
John Sattertield of Dover we have it
that Congressman Hotfecker had as
sured him that he was using every
effort to have him Mr.. Satterfiedl APP
pointed to this position. The Della
warean naturally inferred that if Con-
gresham Hoifecker was ''using every
effort" to secure the appointment of
Mr.. Satterteld, he certainly could not
at the same time BIO favoring the selec-
ton Of Mr.. Willis The editor of the
Smyrna Times, we presume, will not
question the soundness of a doctrine
which Mr.. Willis himself has so often
expatiated upon. "IIe that is not for
me is against me.
Now, hero we have situation, so to
sneak. Tho Delawarean furnishes testi
mony that Congressman Hoffecker's
choice for the position of census super
visor was Representative John Satter-
field Of Dover. Either this is true, or
Congressman Hoifccller was playing a
double game and backing Willis while
pretending to support Satterfield; but
the latter is very improbable The can
didate endorsed by Colonel Ii. A. du
Pont, heretofore the sovereign dis
penser of Federal patronage in Della
ware, was Representative James W..
Robertson of this city. And yet Presi-
dent Mckinley bestowed the appoint
ment upon the Rev. Mr.. Willis.
The situation gives rise to an inter
esting question: Is President McKin-
ley attempting to bring the Republican
factions in Delaware together by taking
the matter of patronage into his own
hands and disregarding the recommen-
dations of the factional leaders on both
sides? Is he going to attempt to Absorb
both factions to himself by creating q
new party of both, with the Rev. Mr..
Willis as the acknowledged leader anc
spokesman for the President in Della
ware?
If President Mckinley has resolved
upon this course. it is question tina
he has been happy in his selection of ;
Moses to lead the Republican faction
pleasant meadows Of harmony ant
brotherly love. The only thing tina
would recommend the Rev. Mr.. Will
for such position is tho fact that h
has been, alternately, connected witt
both factions, and at the last election
was perfectly willing to train wit
either or both, for the sake of gettin
the nomination for Congress. Blu
neither faction would have him
although small faction of the Regu
lar Republican faction made DIES
perate, but futile, attempt to have hin
named for Congress instead of MI
Hoffecker.
But now that the Rev. Mr.. Willis BIZ
the high favor of the President, again.
the hitherto potent influence of Colon
du Punt and the official prestige of Nj
Hoffecker rs member of Congress,
may be different. As supervisor of Il
census he will have various position
to distribute among the hungry. 4
the special and distinguished favori
of President Mckinley he will ha,
great influence with those all who ca
longing eyes on the postofiices al
other places that the Mckinley admi
istration still has at its disposal. Thu
tine Rev. Mr.. Willis may be expected
build up quite an important followii
among the Delaware Republicans,
distinguished from those Who D
their political faith to Colonel du Pc
or to Mr.. Addicks.
But will the Willis faction be col
posed merely of oilice-seekors and tn,
friends, or will it attract those who q
sincerely in favor of united Repub
can party, and thus include practica
the entire party, minus only such bli
adherents of Colonel du Pont and n
Addicks as may be restrained by fe
ings of personal friendship? Will [
leader who was repudiated by both &
tions be able, through the grace of I
Presidents favor, to unite the par
or will he simply create another
tion and thus weaken the party S
further?
These are interesting questions W
respect to Republican politics in De
ware at the present time.
The latest instance of War Dept
ment mismanagement, according 4