Middletown transcript., 1899-05-06
MIDDLEToWN. DEL. MAY 8. 1893.
POLITICAL CASES in COURT

A jury OF nine Democrats and three
Union Republicans rendered verdict
Of not guilty in the Kent county Court
on Tuesday in the case of Represen-
tative Mark L. Davis charged with
having offered a bribe toRepresentatiEe
Francis Ell. Lattomus to vote for j.
Edward Addicks for Senator. The
case was one accusation, compelled by
the State authorities and made reluct
family on the one side, and denial on
the other. There was no circumstan-
tical evidence. The verdict was evil
IDENTIFY one where the accused should
receive the benefit OF any doubt, since
both<men have had the good opinion
of their friends and neighbors hereto
fore. They will retain that good
opinion still. Mr.. Davis, bis friends,
the General Assembly and the State
are to be congratulated upon the ver-
dict. While the verdict of a jury is
not always right or just, (no reference
TO this easel yet it must influence the
life of the person interested and all
who are not convinced that justice has
miscarried are always glad of an ac-
uuittal. In the case in question Mr..
Lattomus made the mistake Of not re-
porting at the time to the House of
Representatives, his understanding of
the charges subsequently made by
authority Of the State. It would have
been better.
This seems to be an end Of the bri-
berry charges in the Senatorial contest.
We had hoped there would have de-
veloped in the Sussex county Court
the full effect to elect Mr.. Addicks
senator, and every other candidate for
that matter. It was intimated, how
ever, about the time Of the Georgetown
Anti-Farlow.King convention that too
many, or too powerful, politicians were
interested to let the truth be uncovered.
The opinions Of the public have been
fixed and we believe the lessons will be
in the interest of purer politics. Only
partisan selfishness can neutralizs the
political lessons to the people.
On Thursday tie cases of DIR.
Thomas G. Moore, Union Republic
an leader of Smyrna, Frank Reiman,
postmaster at Little Hamlet, near
Smyrna, and E. III. Robbins, a farmer,
all white, and Peter Downs and John
Caldwell, both colored, Of near Smyrna,
charged with violating the Registration
law, were continued untilthe next term
Of Court. The ground for the continu-
ance was the absence of material wit
ness.
Without discussing the cases before
the Court we may refer very appro-
priately we think to the mistakes made
by the Constitutional Convention in
respect to registration, The object for
registration is not, or should not be, to
raise revenue. The main objects are,
or should be, to grant 10 every citizen
with the right of franchise an Oppor-
tunity to establish that right. and to
prevent all persons from voting not en-
titled to qualify under the law. That
thousands of voters consider the dol
lar registration fee tax was abun.
dainty proven last fall. Moreover we
do not think the Constitut ion should
put an impediment in the way of the
poor man in casting his ballot, nor can
we see the necessity for questioning
citizen as to the source from whence
comes the fee of dollar. We believe
the Constitution should be changed in
this respect, but the law should be en-
forced while it is in operation.