Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-05-02

Regard as an Assumption of Authority.
Republicans OF both the Regular and
Union factions are up in arms against
what they term assumption of authority
on the part of the Horace q. Knowles
element, new factor in the city cam
paien. Mr.. Knowles, it is said, aspires
to a seat in the United States Senate
and his friends are endeayoring to be-
gin the formation Of an organization
In his interests. Mr.. Knowles is not a
member of either OF the recognized
com mittees of the Republican factions,
but it ia understood that his friends
are back Of the new Citizens Republic
can Committee, self-appointed body,
which has secured headquarters in the
Money Building, where it car keep an
eye on the progress of the campaign.
1t is asserted that an effort Is being
made in every ward in the city to
bring our candidates for City Council
in tie interests of the Knowles element,
and several candidates who have an
nounced themselves have been brought
out by MIR. Knowles friends. 1t ia
also alleged that an effort is being
made in some Of the wards to get
candidates not favorable to the Knowles
element to Withdraw in favor of those
who are. 1t is known that in one OF
the wards where there are two candi-
hates Ifor the nomination, Knowles
man approached one of them and asked
him to Withdraw.
"What for?" the candidate inquired.
sin the interest of the Republican
party" was the reply.
How can my withdrawal affect the
Republican party?" the candidate
asked, when l am as much OF Re-
publican as my opponentY Why should
/ withdraw any more than the othel
manu-
"Well," was the reply, "the othe
man ia q native of Wilmington.
80 am l." said the candidate. ''.
was born here and have the same RICH
to. aspire to office as others have"
The controversy continued for SOM
time, but the candidate would no
yield, and as q result two names hav
been filed with the joint city committe
from that ward and the Indication
are that there will be hot contest a
the primaries, fol-, it ia understood, tn
friends of Mr. Knowles have no inten
tion Of withdra wing their candidate.
its authority the people who are talkin
about the matter are at q loss to know
The Republicans have two organizt
tions in Wilmington, as we'll as in th
State, the Regulars having econ
mittee and the Unions also having ont
Ii was decided early in the preaer
,ampsign to have one ticket and select
Joint committee to be composed Of men
bers of both committees, to look after Ii
campaign and guard the interests
the candidates, regardless of factioni
affiliations. or course, it matters n,
what the committee does or what cand
dates are put up, the voters will Vi
their discretion In voting, and it is Q
open secret that Regulars will cut tl
Union candidates and Unions will CT
Regular candidates. The new fact,
may profit 10 some instances by th
cutting. But the committee cann
regulate that matter. The joint cor
mittee has been regularly organize
with Stephen Downey, Union R
publican, as chairman and Robert n
Burns, Regular, as secretary, and Il
work has been progressing under ii
full direction of this joint committe
and the committee is recognized
the Republican organizations as the
authorized agent to conduct the cal
paign.
Recently, however, some .Repub
cans, said to belong to both faction
conferred and decided to form an ind
pendent committee, its ostensible pr
pose 6eing TO work for the interests
the Republican candidates general
Friends of Mr.. Knowles were interest
in this movement, and ever since
inception the Knowles element b
been at work in the several war
endeavoring to bring out candidat
favorable to them. 1t was understo
when this Citizens Committee "
organized that Former Coroner Afr
d. Vsndever, who is rated as Regul
was to be made chairman, and Fer
Giles, Unionist, who was his depu
was to be secretary. When the til
came for organizing, however, this ri
was not carried out. Frank Forrest
the Eighth ward, member OF I
Union Republican City Committee, v
made president, and Harry Russell
the Eleventh ward, a member of I
Regular City Committee, was chos
secretary.
Notwithstanding this change
plans, the committee has organic
and is now at work and holds regu
meetings. 1t is said, however, ii
some who were instrumental in I
organization of the committee are sor
what disappointed over the result a
lukewarm 10 the work.
The activity of the Knowles elem
has come to the notice of party work
In the Regular and Union factions q
II was announced Friday that
candidate would lie Withdrawn in
Of the wards in the interest of
new factor, and the indications are h
matters will be lively, as result,
all of the strong Republican wards
particular, at the primaries, on N
18th. n