The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-14

SENATORIAL prARLo cks.

udy LAuNhy NuhtoA ave. se-N '---~~N-
phia Inquirer on how ito prevent dead
locks" As matter and manner for
future consideration and action the plan
suggested-an amendment to the consti-
tuition making election by plurality vote
possible--is worthy Of thought 1t does
not, however, affect the Delaware case
as it now Stands.
There never has been, SO far as we
know, such case as that now existing
in this State The Pennsylvania case,
in Colonel Quay's contest, was like 1t
only in that it resulted from factlonal
revolt in the Republican party; it did not
continue as long, nor was it in any por-
ton of its history, as violent, us I'M
reasonablely violent and factional as
has been the Delaware case. There
Republican control Of the State
was not seriously endangered; nor
was Democratic Senator forced
upon Republican State by fraud.
This danger and this evil have both re-
suited in Delaware; and now the same
perverseness threatens TO leave the
State without any Senatorial represent
tative because majority Of the Eepub-
licau members of the Legislature will
not permit the minority to name both
Senatorial candidates. That is practical
ly the situation. The m nority refuses
to vote for the majority candidate, al
though the majority has agreed to vote
for any one candidate he minority may
name, in u general Republican vote to
elect two Senators. The majority is
manifesting literal, loyal party spirit,
while the minority is maniiestiuS Il fac
tiona spirit destructive OF all party or
ganizaton and success.
The whole trouble III this State seems
to arise from misconcepton of the
character and responsibility Of legisla-
tor il State Assscubly who may nave
been elected from given legislative
district. his m.stoacelt on lies TX
Of the present assembly, aud really lies
at the door of the fuctionistS i'll the re-
factonists did not dare to avow it, but
in adopting the district system they had
;,, La, iust SI.h II
situation as now exists i'll the Assembly.
The good idea involved III the district
system, as distinct from the county sys-
tim OF representation preN .ously III vogue
i'll this State, is i'll the prevention of the
defeat Of u local candidate Is the vote
Of the county ut large. The fault OF it
lies in that the representative, III this
case, InAgines himself oAIy The repre-
sentative of the faction Ct his party by
which he was nOl...nuted, Instead OF
representative ot the party us u whole
by which he was eleL,eu.
The uarruwucSS and uIstructiveness Of
this idea is apparent. Uu.ess there is Il
common dominant sentiment. i'll the pol
tiles Of these district representatives,
general party orsanAatlon, and one
strong enough TO bind them together as
party representatives, III the service oil
the State, the system Is destructive.
Contrary to this the real object of party
organization, oI State Organization and
legislative work, is constructive. Hence
it follows that there must be dominant,
adhesive and cohesive principle il all
good and successful party work. Repre-
scntativ"s loyal to the State, loyal to
their obligations to serve it, cannot,
safely or houuraby, stpa,u,e themselves
from the great body Of their party as
represented by its majority representa-
tycS ia the legislative assembly. There
must be Il point upon winch the lndlvid-
ual, although not convinced, must .''r-
render his Judgment to that Of the whole
body Of the party 70 which he belongs
and of which he is an accredited rep
rrsrutativc. That must be admitted, or
the system Of popular government fails.
The individual would become dictator,
So too, thor" must be 4 place, condI-
ton and relation in which the minority
must, in right and hohor, surrender TO
the majority. Tbs is just as essential
~ the surrender Of the Individual to The
party, and is just as reasonable. Other
wise minorIty,the few aud not the
many, become the diclators in govern
mcut. This is the .iLuutiJn in the Dca-
ware Senatorial light is the few
| against the many.
What is needed to prevent d"adlocks,
! in Delaware is suiue authoritative dee.
laratiun Of the superior relation Of the
| r. representative to tue State, as against
! his relation to his district. In other
WORDS we want Il local application of
Republican theory, opposing tn" State
right, theory, to the local representative
| questionable supremacy of the State i'll
| tcrcst over the district interest which
! will cause Republicans in the Legislature
10 vote rs S'utc Representatives and
State Senators. in the selection OF the
States representatives in the United
| States Senate.
When representatives aud Senators
viii de- that dcadlVcks will not occur
or il occurring, will soon be broken.
Red Cross Or c ais
L.. 4.