Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-15
The governor and the seuator.h,p.

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The apparent probability that the
United States Senate will open its doors
to the admission CT Matthew Stanley
f)uay on the strength of his appoint-
ment by Governor Stone of Pennsyl'
yania, gives additional interest to the
situation in this State. Delaware has
but one United States Senator at Eres-
emit, .and If Quay shall be admitted, |
the Senate could not consistently refuse |
to admit the man selected by Governor |
Tunnel to fill tho vacancy. The gov
ernor, therefore, in the event of Quay
being admitted, will be called upon to
appoint Senator for Delaware. 1t
will be his duty to do so, and there is
no likelihood that he will decline 10
perform this duty.
II is apparent to all who are CONVEX
SAINT with the situation, that the contest
now going on for the favor Of the gov
ernor with respect to the Senatorship
is being conducted along lines that
promise no good to the Democratic
party Of Delaware. The friends of two
leading Democrats are making strong
personal efforts for support and endorse
mont for their respective fayorites, and
the situation is drawing nearer and
nearer to that which prevailed prior
to the campaign Of 1888, and which
eliminated that year in an open rupture
of the Democratic party, the election of
Republican majority to the Legisla-
tune, and the subsequent election Of
the first and only Republican Senator
from Delaware. Most unfortunate will
it be il the rivalry for the Senatorship
results In like disastrous manner this
year, aud yet it cannot be denied that
the trend Of the situation at present is
most decidedly IN this direction.
Under these circumstances, it would
be the wisest policy for Governor
Tunnel, should he be confronted with
the duty of selecting Senator, to
ignore both Of the prominent Democrats
who are being SO vigorously urged upon
him, and leave their rivalry to be de-
termined by the voters Of the party, in
fair and honorable contest at the
primaries. To give to one or the other
the prestige OF his favor would be sure
TO create dissatisfaction in the party
ranks that might work against the
success Of the Earty at the election.
But fair contest for the favor OF the
Democratic voters ought to be, and car
be, conducted without Bitterness Oh
factional spirit, so that the successful
aspirant would receive the hearty en-
dcrsemept Of all opposing interests afte
the viii of the party was ascertained.
Governor Tunnel when it comes t,
making selection, may contribute yer,
materially to this end. There is ampl
material in the State from which +
select Senator not in the pendin
contest, and who would not be in an
sense candidate for the position befor
the next Legislature. Who would be
in fact, n Senator pro TEN, willing I
accept the appointment and fill th
vacancy until the Legislature decide
the question Of the succession
There are Democrats in plenty VIII
would accept the appointment with tn
understanding, and who would repr,
sent the State with full honor an
credit.
1t is unfortunate that contes
over the Senatorship arise, but tn,
cannot be avoided. There is no reaso
however, why they should serve to di
rupt the Democratic party of Delawar
One experience of this kind is enoul
for long while. Ard Govern
Tunnel may largely contribute towar
harmonious settlement of the conte
within the lines of tina party by wit
holding the favor of temporary appoir
ment from either Of the leading asp
ants now in the field.