The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-01-09
PESTILENT MEDDLING.

We remember hearing it said of the |
Ledger, under the management of !
George w. Childs, that all its news
items had to be verified, and that no
avoidable mtruth of statement or mis-
representation was allowed in its col
umns. We do not know if this rule is
still in force, but we do know that it is
not rigidly enforced as to the papers
editorial columns. The sentence at the
head of this article, quoted from the
Ledger, is proof in point of what we as
sert--it is untrue.
The Ledger has been one of the most
persistent meddlers i'll Delaware poll
ties during the Union Republican strug-
gle for the political emancipation OF the
State, and has been uniformly careless
of the truth of its statements. Its in
formation has been derived, by prefer
ence, from Democratic sources, and has
always been in opposition to Repubii-
can supremacy in Delaware, and this
explains why it has been persistently
maddIesome and untruthful. This we
take it is sufficient cause for the re-
lection of its counsel by any and all Re
publcans.
About this quoted sentence from the
Ledger, it is only needful to say that its
untruth is evident to any one having the
slightest knowledge of Delaware poll
tics, and having even the slightest regard
for truth in the discussion of public ques-
tions. The ruling issue at the last cleo
tion in this State was not whether or not
the Addicksites should be given control
of the Legislature" The issue apart
from the election of the National Re
publican ticket, was whether or not the
Republicans would agree upon State,
county and district nominations, vote one
ticket at the polls, and thus gain CON
Legislature. That was accomplished.
This was sought for and accomplished
in view of the Senatorial election, and to
secure unity of action between the mem
bers of the Republican Legislative ma
jority, which it was regarded as certain
to be elected. In the preliminary worl;
of the campaign and in the primary cleo
ton agreement the one thing aimed at
in all the Union Republican effort was
unity at the polls and the election Of a
non-factional Republican majority in the
F,,r
mon primaries in New Castle county was
made with that sole end in view. 1t was
accepted knowing that that was its pur.
pose, and, SO far as the masses of the
voters We're concerned, was accepted il
agreement for that purpose.
The Ledger's conclusion about tn,
Republicans elected under a non-faction
al agreement, entered into before tn
legislative nominations We're made, ar
in control of the Legislature and a major
ity of those Republicans are favorable t
the election of Mr.. Addicks to the Unite
States Senate. This Republican legis
lative majority also represents a maj rit
of the Republican voters Of the State
and this majority of the Republican vol
ers represents majority ofall thevotel
of the State, in each case the majorit
being in favor of the election of Mr.. At
dicks to the United States Senate. Thes
are the facts of the case as clearly an
truthfully deducible from the condition
agreements and results of the electicl
The Ledger's Judgment and advice
therefore in opposition to the decisio
of the voters of Delaware as ascertaine
according to law and to political usag
1t is against these facts that til
assertion we have quoted has been pl
forth-a pestilent untruth told by me,
dler in what is none of its btlsines
The Ledger circulates in Delaware as
newspaper. Its editors and manager
have no knowledge Of, interest in,
right of control in Delaware polite
They have no business interests in tt
State except the selfish one of taking {
much money and business out of ii
State, and returning as little as possibl
1t advertises no Delaware business.
advocates no Delaware interest. 1t mi
represents and ISLANDERS Delaware's eli
zens and discredits the State its peopl
its politics, its government and its bus
less. The people of Delaware have !
need Of its advice and are injured rath
than benefited by its circulation and j
huence in the State; then support of It
an encouragement of pestilent meddlil
in other peoples business.