Evening journal., 1900-05-25
A HEART-To-HEART TALK

We want to have a heart-to-heart
talk with the Dover Delawarean, which
now Is engaged In the much-needed
but not particularly modest vocation
of throwing bouquets at its owners.
In the last year of President Cleve-
lands administration the Federal
bench was robbed OF its chief orna-
ment in Delaware by the death Of
Judge Leonard +. Wales. Senator Gray
recommended the appointment Of James
j.. Wolcott, of Dover the Democratic
leader in Kent county, and a man who
had whipped the Salisbury faction to
a standstill, to fiji the vacancy. Pres
ident Cleveland cheerfully acted upon
the recommendation and sent the name
OF Mr. Wolcott to the United States
Senate for confirmation. Following the
usual course, 1t was referred to the
Committee on Judiciary, Of which SEN
ator Hoar, OF Massachusetts, was
chairman. That committee, in Difference
TO the assurances Of Senator Gray, took
favorable action on Mr. Wolcott's ap-
pointment and reported it back to the
Senate. That was the latter part of
April. President Cleyelands term
would expire on March A, and President
Mckinley would succeed him. No OBJ
lection OF any kind was interposed, and
Mr.. Wolcotts confirmation seemed a
matter OF absolute certainty. Then a
so-called Democrat, his heart laden
with bitterness, left Wilmington, and
on a Sunday night, Senator Hoar, Re
publican, chairman OF the Senate Com.
mittee on Judiciary, was surprised e
receive a call from this Del
aware Democrat. He was more
surprised when this caller tolt
him that Mr. Wolcctt was a bite
partisan and factionist and not a II
person to be on the bench. How mucl
farther he went in his abuse OF Mr.
Wolcott is not recited. but let its suffice
to state that at the instance Of this al
legged Democrat; this valiant knight o
Democracy, who skulked into Washing
ton in the nighttime and stabbed in th'
back one Of the foremost Democrats
of Delaware, the confirmation of MI
Wolcott was held up; President Cleve
land went out Of office; President Mo
Kinley came in, and Edward G. Brad
ford, Republican, succeeded Judg
Wales as judge In this district.
Can the Dover Delawarean tell u
who this skulker was? DO the Ora
and Wolcott men in Delaware kne'
who he was? We think they do.
Once upon a time there was a Wi
mington man who professed to be
great Democrat, who had great mir
ing, trading and transportation schem
tain certain concessions from the Ci
madam government At that tin
Judge George Gray was a Unite
States senator from Delaware. Tn
great Delaware Democrat went to Sci
atOr Gray and asked him to help hi
out Senator Gray went to Sir Julif
Pauncefote, British ambassador to Il
United States, and asked him to gi'
this great Delaware Democrat and pr
moter letters of introduction and re
ommendation which would help him
his work In Canada. Sir Julian PaunC
fote demurred. He said Il was not GU
tomary for him TO act as an assista
to a promoter. But Senator Gray ma
it a matter OF personal favor to hi
and finally Sir Julian gave the lett,
asked for. Senator Gray turned tn,
over TO this noble, aggressive, victor
producing Democrat Armed with tn
he went to Canada All doors W,
thrown open to him and he was treai
like a person OF distinction by everye
from the premier down. He got wi
he wanted, and returned home.
Last Spring the Delaware Legislat
met Senator Grays term had expir
The Republicans were in a major
but deadlocked. The Democrats W
in a minority, and there were tn
who wanted to pay Senator Gray
compliment Of giving him the
Democratic vote in joint session.
could not be done. Certain men
fused to vote for him. They assie
as their reason that Senator Gray
a Sound Money Democrat and that
failure to support Bryan had put
without the pale Of the Democr
party.
The Legislature adjourned will
day, Senator Gray never having rec
ed the full measure of Democratic
port
One Of those on the train going u
Wilmington on the day Of the final
journment was this noble Delal
Democrat who had received so n