The sun., 1900-12-04
Tuesday, December A.. 1900.
"MR. HUNN's oPPoRTUNI1 y"

In advising Governor-elect HUM |
about the appointment of Secretary of |
State, The Morning News says:
Any one who has ever held trustee- |
ship for large mass of men of varying |
opinions can appreciate the position in |
which Goyernor.elect HUM finds him. |
self in regard to the appointment of a
Republican Secretary of State. In such
circumstances-where every little group
representing different territorial locai-
ties, have their own views, which doubt
less they urge in the most definite and
emphatic manner-we venture to sug-
gest that it may aid him, in his efforts to
take the right and helpful course, to fall
back upon some of the unquestionable
elements of the Republican situation in
this State.
We agree with this suggestion. 1t is
a good one. It is always safe, and wise,
to fall back upon the unquestionable
elements of perplexing situation. There
is however this necessity in such cases
choice between these unquestionable
elements. In making this choice wis-
dom dictates choice of the more inn
portant-the preference of the whole as
against part; if that be possible, and
il not the whole then the major in pref
erence to the minor part. We think our
contemporary recognized the wisdom of
that and suggests it in the statement of
the maiorities given in the various coun-
ties for the Republican ticket in the elec-
tion at which Governor-elect Hum was
chosen governor of Delaware.
We suggest that this is not ques-
tion Of local or territorial maiorties. The
fact that New Castle county gave
greater majority for the governor-elect
than was given by either or both OF the
other counties com mbined, does not argue
thatia greater number of people of the
State prefer, or ask for, the appointment
of New Castle county man to the
office of Secretary of State. In that cate
the majority argument is misleading.
We repeat, this question cannot be fair
ly determined by accedirg to the wishes
OF the few people who cuus itute the
majority OF those who voted, in either
county, for the governor-elect. That
majority in either case is but small
portion of the voters as compared with
tine total vote cast for Governor elect
Hum. That is to say, it would not be an
equitable decision to consider the wishes
of the majority in one county or in the
three counties as the News has computed
them. That would be ignoring the
great mass of Republican voters.
The Secretary of State is a very import
ant State office, and so far as possible the
incumbent of that Office should be repre-
sentative of the whole State. The other
side of that proposition, as we see it, is
that the Secretary of State being in fact
the secretary OF the Governor in State
affairs he should be man entirely ac-
ceptable to the Governor. That fact is
recognized as one of prime Importance in
the provision Of the law giving the gov
nth Ifry IN int n
tsry of State. So we suggesl that
the first thing to be settled ia
which of the candidates is most, or
wholly, acceptable to the governor. II
follows we think that as between two
euch cand dates, the choice should be
made not upon the basis of any territor.
iaI division or majority-should not be
made of representation of the territor.
ial division giving the greater majority,
but Of that 'unquestionable element" q
the party in all the territorial divisions
" lich represents the majority of tie
voters who Yotedd f9r the goyePlrHnoPrf-feleet oyPlrHn Pffe
For The s7a this computation adsjI il il
sufficiently, accnrate TO cay. thastalltly
Republican Voters of Kent and ashsseS
counties VIE voted sflpsri; flsi;s Mr. ,iHpna sarf
Union Republicanay tits also ,sdre t8as
some of thscwetsss.of' New CASTLE ceunty
wlTavossd for Mr. HunnaFe Unieaea Rel
,Isissy igIJ Il y. ~, r 9dt ai ili q
puhlisainsss How Many .naonlsila I
In the election 1895, she 16nly 6neait
which there was q division Yoot the Re-
publican vote attbe pollsst one halfo d
thelRepablican yoseof New Castle copn.
ty was cast for the Onion Republican
ticket, II that can be assumed.to be the