Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-06-22
BUYING A SEAT
In THE SENATE.
True Story Concerning Cas-
man S Past and Present
REVIEW Al INTER ESTING ONE.
Writer in AinSlee'S Shows Familiarity
With AddickS and Handles
Subject Well

The excellent and accurate article in
the current number Of Ainslees ON
Buying State is perhaps the most
thorough treatment OF the subject that
has yet appeared. That our readers
may see its general tenor. we append a
number of extracts from the article.
The writer, Edward p. Clark. IS q
trained literary man. who writes with
cut prejudice. His materisls have been
gathered first hand and from many
sources he has drawn his own conclu-
sions:
After an Introductory. giving the de-
tails OF Mr. Addicks' early life. the
writer continues:
Something over twenty years ago
Addicks became interested in the mat
ter OF gas. and he decided speedily that
the manipulation of gas stocks offered
the best opportunity for the use OF his
particular talents. From that time en-
he became a figure OF steadily grow
ing Importance as a promoter and a
WIecker OF gas companies in State af-
ter State. He operated for years IN
Massachusetts, and had his way wi n
the City Council OF Boston and the
Legislature of the State. Hee organ
lied the Bay State Gas Company.
which he controlled, and the Beacon
CONSTRUCTION Company, which he also
contciled, and with which in his other
capacity he made contracts. Thus
with but little capital of his own. he
managed 20 accumulate a great sum Of
money before he was finally exposed
EN-Mayor Nathan Matthews. Jr.. of
Boston, was the man who at last
Licught him TO book. and this was the
tribute which the shrewd New Eng
land iinancier paid 10 plunger'
from outside who had 50 long bent
people to his will in the Massachusetts
capital: You could search All the COM
binalions and trusts that infest our
land to-day, and you could not find a
Sharper, brighter more acute and more
successful corporation Wrecker than j
Edward Addicks.
The rising speculator operated in
other cities. and sought charters I'm
other States. He became a well-known
speculative figure in New York and in
Brooklyn. in Philadelphia and in Chi
cagO lie learned the charao.eristies
of city aldermen and State legislators
He employed lobbyists. he retained
lawyers, he mastered all OF The wavsI
by which during the past quarter OF al
century unscrupulOus operators have
secured valuable franchises for a song
He became convinced that every man
has his price and that there was noth-
ing which one might not get if he were
willing to pay enough for it, 1t was
about dozen years ago that he con-
ceived the idea Of buying a senator
ship.
AS a vulgar. pushing. un-
scrupulous speculator. Atldicks had mol
social standing whatever, and such a.
nature so circumstancel may easilyl
have been impressed by the fancy that !
he could make those who had sneered |
and shifted at him pay Difference i'm his |
person TO the office OF United States
senator.
1T was a matter OF Indifference to
Addicks what State he should buy. or |
what party he should represent AS n |
Speculation he had mastered the prin-
ciple OF putting his money where itl
would do the most good.
"Addicks, as early as 1877. hadi
bought country place in Claymont.
near the Delaware river, and, although
he had never spent much time there
his ownership enabled him to meet the
test that no person
shall be senator who shall NIT. when
elected, be an inhabitant of the Slate
for which he shall be chosen He
irst blOached his ambition for the Of
ice during the Winter after the cleo
ion OF 1883, when the Republicans had
'arried the Legislature. aud SO secured
he senatorship, but the idea aDnearel
20 preposterCus that people cnly laugh
I'd at the fellows impudence. and the
1nice was given 30 Anthony Higgins. a
prominent lawyer. IL was not until
1872 that another Legislature was toi
% chosen which would have a senator
hip to dispose Of. Meanwhile Ad-
iicks organized his forces and devel-
iDed his plan OF campaign, undeterred
~ the fact that a reaction against the
Republican party had set in during
$50, which gained force until it culmi
lated in the sweeping Democratic vic
ory IN the national contest of 1892.
lie is credited with having expended
$4,000 in the campaign Of the latterl
'ear. but all that there was 10 show
or it was two Republicans out of the
hirty members of the legislature"
After detailing the events which pre-
eded the election of 1894. and which
ed to a sweeping Republican victory. ;
he article continues:
After the struggle had lasted intOl
6ay, a desperate effort was made to {
ecure a union Of the Republican mem {
'ers upon Colonel Henry A. DUPONT a [
nan OF high character. and two OF the 7
aithful Addicks six felt constrained TO 3
'ut the interests of the party above
hose Of their favorite. But this made I
My fifteen CT the thirty. and Colonel I
)uPont thus lacked one Of a majority. {
When at last the proctracted session /
ad expired without a choice. Addicks !
vent to the man who had represented {
I the State capital one Of the promi-
ent and influential Republican lead
rs against him, and said. with much z
LConAln..oL -. GIL H.