Evening journal., 1901-01-18
NEWSPAPER OPINION
The Senate Fight in Delaware
Prom the Now York Tribnno.


From the New York Tribune.
The first votes for United State Sena-
tors in Delaware are not encouraging to
those who want to see that Republican
State suitably represented in the upper
branch of Congress- or indeed to anybody.
there or elsewhere. Two ballots have
been taken, and already an obstinate
deadlock has been established, the Demo-
Gratis being in a minority, and neither the
Addicks men nor the Regular Republi-
cans having votes enough to elect, or any
strong expectation OF obtaining them. In
word. the unhappy complication which
has so long been injurious to the reputa-
tion and interest of Delaware and partic-
ularly vexatious to the Republican party
throughout the country still exists in full
force, and seems far more likely TO de-
velOp new bitterness than to be adjusted
in a satisfactory manner.
-Four years ago Mr.. Addclls was out
lawed by the Republican National Con-
vention ON evidence OF deliberate treach-
cry which was deemed conclusive. The
general opinion. naturally based on that
decisive action, was that he would appeal
in vain for recognition to the Republican
Convention last June. His opponents in
his own State were not less firmly con-
WINGED than they ever had been that his
claim was invalid because of the very
things which he had done TO establish il.
and that his readmission to good stand
ia the party, as the representative of
Delaware Republicanism, would be not
merely unjust but in its ultimate effects
disastrous. For reasons which we never
Iully cOmprchcnded, and of which. i'm
fact, no explanation was ever publicly Of
fered, the Philadelphia Convention. in
obedience to the evident wishes of the
managers, reversed the action of four
years before and seated the Addicks dele
cation, in consequence of which Mr.. Ad-
dicks himself was made the Delaware
member of the National Committee. The
Regular Republicans Of the State were
surprised and keenly disappointed, but
they recognized the authority OF the Con-
vcntlon in national politics and contrihut-
ed their full share TO the success of the
Presidential ticket, and, indeed, to the
election of the State ticket as well. AT
the same time they caused it to be dis
tinctly understood that in so doing they
were making no concession or cOmpro-
mise of principle in respect to the Senate
contest, but were and should remain un-
alterahly opposed TO the ambition of Mr..
Addicks. Thus they enter into the present
contest with clear record and appar-
entity with purpose which no persuasion
| or manipulation can overcome.
The ballots already taken at Dover are
thought TO signify possibility that two
or three of tile Republican opponents of
Mr.. Addltks may be capable of yielding
TO arguments OF one sort or another
urged in his behalf, but on the whole they
confirm the belief that neither he nor any
of his adherents can be elected. Ii begins
to be rumored, therefore. that. as the only
escape from a deadlock lasting at least
until the next session Of the Legislature.
two years hence, q combination Of the
Regular Republicans and the Democrats
may come into existence under an agree
ment that one Senator shall be chosen
from each party. We are not aware that
either side has given outward signs Of
such a disposition. but Democratic antip-
athy to Mr.. Addicks is so strong that
Democratic desertions to his standard are
considered extremely improbable, while
the suggestion has actually been, heard
that his Republican opponents ought as
a last resort to be enabled to elect both
Senators. Probably no one expects so
extraordinary a step to be taken. but the
mere public mention of it as a duty which
might conceivably be imposed upon the
Democratic members Of the Legislature
serves to indicate the general state Of
I opinion in Delaware concerning the role
which Mr. Addicks has persistently
played
Altogether the situation is just about as
I a. 4 L..
add, as many sagacious Republicans in
all parts of the country feared it would
be. when the Philadelphia Convention
took up the man whom the st. Louis
| Convention had turned down.