Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-22

party was repudiated by the people.
1t polled only about half as many votes |
as were cast for the Regular Republi-1 4
can ticket, whereas at the general i
election OF 1896 the Union Republicans
led the Regulars in the poll. In fact,
it showed loss of over SO per cent OF
it's strength, as compared with the |
election three years ago. 4
Yesterday the Union Republican |
party received another blow that sent it
Keeling and staggering upon its totter-
ing legs President Mckinley, upon
whom it had depended for recognition
since the Regular Republicans fooishly
permitted the election of a Union Re-
publican Congressman-John IL. Hof-
fecker - last fall, turned his back
squarely upon it. Congressman Hof-
fecker, in his capacity as Delaware's
Representative, ordinarily would have
some weight in determining the dis
tribution Of Federal patronage in this
State, but the President evidently
studied the returns of the Wilmington
election and saw plainly how the party
faction represented by Mr.. Hoffecker
was in bad odor with the people.
Therefore, he paid no attention to Mr..
Hoffecker when the latter recommended
Herbert H. Ward for United States dis
trict attorney, and yesterday gave the
appointment to William Michael Byrne.
Mr.. Byrne is we'll qualified, by cx-
perience and legal training, for the
Office, and on this score no objections
will be urged against him. But con-
sidered politically, his appointment is
another staggering blow in the face for
the Union Republican party. 1t proves
to the leaders of this party that they
have no standing with the national
administration. 1t shows that the
hostility of the administration is so
pronounced that even the recommended
tiops of the Congressman from this
State win not avail against the desires
of the Regular Republican party.
While this situation is full of politi-
cal significance, it is source of gratifi-
cation to all good citizens, without
regard to partisan considerations. II
is further indication of the rapid dis
Indignation OF the Union Republican
party, and the death of this corrupt
political organization will be direct
benefit to the State. 1t is held together
solely by the cohesive power of none,
and the hope of profiting by the dis
tribution Of public patronage. TIL
Wilmington city election showed tina
the first of these props is losing it
potency, and President Mckinley nov
shows that the other has no reason TO
existence. He has repudiated the Who'll
unsavory political concern, as relent
lessly as did the honest voters of Wi
mington when they got the chance I
smite it at the polls.
Let the fight against the Addicks RI
publican party continue to the end.
is on its last legs in New Castle count,
and in its strongholds of Kent ar
Sussex is bound to suffer in cons
quence. Since yesterdays stunnir
blow it has reiterated to its kenne
and snarling threats are now heard tn
in revenge Delawares electoral vot
will be thrown to the Democrat
nominee for President next year. B
these threats need not deter honest R
,publicans from continuing their oppoi
ton. The vote of the Addicks Repu
Leans will not determine next yea
contest. Should the Democratic pat
be united on Democratic platfo
and Democratic candidate for Pre-
dent, there is no doubt that the ST.
will be as surely Democratic as it /
been atlevery presidential election sill
1862, with the exceptions Of the Gree
fiasco of 1872 and the Bryanarch
political suicide of 1896. And in
event that 1900 should show repetit
of the Democratic folly of 1896,
vote Of the Union Republican organi
tion would not affect the result in t
State.
But, come what may, there is ev
reason for encouragement in the c
look. The good work done by the vot
of Wilmington in repudiating the
dicks Republican organization has b
emulated by President Mckinley.
party is discredited in the State ant
the Nation. Another election, and
honest voters of Delaware will crus
out Of existence.
Commissioner Robert P, Porter
returned from Europe with the re
that the ''embalmed beef agita
insthis country has hurt the Amer
meat business in Germany to the