Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-05-04
a Bold attack Upon Suffrage Reform,

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"Union Republican Glasses in the
Sunday Star, which represent Union
Republican sentiment in Delaware, do
not look kindly. upon the suffrage re-
form provisions in our State Constitu-
tion. Here is the manner in which
they are referred to in yesterdays
eifusion:
The law against bribery as it stands
today in tho Constitution and statutes
of Delaware, is q bad law. Its ethical
quality is simply thin gloss, put on.
like the robes of the self-righteous
pharisees, to deceive the people. The
law was made by usurpers Of authority,
to bolster up o monstrous political in
iquity, to continue in force the most
Objectionable provision of the old Con-
stitution, and prolong the Democratic
misgovernment of the Stata. This pur-
pose is apparent in every line Of the
Constitutional Convention history---is
apparent in every line of its vaunted
anti-bribery provisions. Its session
began with an inexcusable outrage-the
rejection of half of the elected repre-
sentatives of Kent county. IL ended in
a cowardly refusal to submit its work
TO vote of approval or disapproval by
tho people. The anti-bribery proyi-
sions of the new law were intended,
and did actually prevent n majority
vote of the people at the last State
election. 1t failed in securing a Demo-
cratic majority in the vote polled, and
the disappointed schemers, those who
sat in usurped seats in the conyen-
tion, aud those who applauded the re-
tention of the illiberal and unjust pro-
visions of the old Constitution in the
new one, are now, with mockery of
virtue, seeking to be revenged for their
disappointment over the result of the
first general election under the new
Constitution, by prosecuting their sue
cessful opponents, and to frighten them
so as to prevent a new defeat at tho
next State election. The prosecutions
may be legal; but statute law has no
moral force. The prosecutions are i'm
moral-they proceed from bad origin
to an evil purpose.
No doubt the animus of this attack
is contained in the fact that thus far
the prosecutions under the bribery sec
tions of our Constitution have involved
Union Republicans mainly. The above
bold outbreak, therefore, is but another
illustration of the truth of the old
couplet:
No man e'er felt the halter draw,
,I With good opinion of the law.
But the fact that only Union Repub-
licans have thus far been prosecuted on
charges of bribery is no assurance that
men of other political convictions will
not be prosecuted also, if cases can be
made out against them. 1t may be
that only Union Republicans engaged
in the nefarious business during the
last campaign. Or it may be that the
men of other political attachments who
We're equally guilty managed to cover
their tracks SO effectually that prosecu,
tion is not possible.
Work along other lines, however, in
dicates that the State authorities will
not permit political considerations tc
interfere with the movement fol-
thorough and practical reform. Mer
who are not Union Republicans, or any
other kind Of Republicans, are under
suspicion for other heinous offences
against the peace and dignity of th,
State" and one, Democrat, has beer
indicted and now awaits trial.
It is q fact, we firmly believe, tha
the prevailing sentiment of the peopl,
of Delaware is in the direction O
honest elections and honest legislation
and that all movements designed tc
secure these great ends will be heartily
sustained.
No Union Republican influences
therefore, can hope to break down tn,
wholesome provisions OF our Constitu
tion against bribery and corruption
The people will not have it that way.