Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-13

Think the Appointment May be an
Attennps to Force the Two Factions of
the Republican Party to Unite.
William Michael Byrne was Tuesday
appointed United States attorney tor
che district Of Delaware
This information came from Mr..
Byrne, but further than to confirm the
report he would not Talk on the sub
seot.
The rumor was current Tuesday
and when q reporter of Tho Gazette
called upon Mr.. Byrns he confirmed it.
"fes." /" he said, ''it is true. / have
fust been informed over the lonG-
distance telephone that l have been
appointed United States attorney for
she district of Delaware and that my
commission will be made out today. :"
WAS the appointment surprise to
youf" the reporter asked.
s.Yes," he replied, ''it was a sur
prise, an agreeable surprise.
"Had you any intination before
hsndfr he was asked.
None whatever" was the reply.
sHThere was no understanding whom
you resigned a little over month
ago, +" the reporter yentured, THAT you
would be reappointed in the event of
your not being elected Congressman"
''No, indeed" !" he replied. There
was no understanding whatever. I"
"Then," he was asked. what is the
story connected with this last appoint
ment?"
.sYou can draw your own con-
illusions, she replied. II do not care
90 give any explanations. have simply
been appointed, and that is all can
sell you. ("
SIS your appointment for the un-
expired term or for the full term?o he
was asked.
s'For the full term" he replied.
''There is no unexpired term. There
was vacancy, and my appointment is
20 fill that vacancy.
Further than this Mr.. Byrne would
not go into the subject, and be said,
as a matter of fact, that he did MOI
care to be quoted at ali.
Mr.. Byrne was appointed district
attorney In 1899 by the late President
Mckinley to succeed the late Lewis O.
Vandegrift. The appointment WIS foi
full term Of four years, and it woule
hays expired next year. He did no
serve the full term, however, having
resigned on the first of October of thi
year, because he was candidate 70
Representative in Congress on th,
Union Republican ticket, and resigned
as be explained, to devote his time t,
the campaign.
"A few days later John p. Nields,
staunoh Regular Republican, VIII
III received the endorsement OF nearly tn
entire bar Of the State, was appointe
by Judge Edward q. Bradford of tb
II United States District Court TO serv
until the President should fill th
II vacancy. Since his appointment Mr
III Nields has performed the duties of th
II Office in faithful manner.
When NJ. Nields was asked by
NJ reporter OF The Gazette Tuesda
IE whether he had heard of the appoint
" ment of Mr.. Byrne he said he ha
n heard the report, but had no officia
d knowledge of it, He explained tina
M Judge Bradford had appointed hir
only until the President should fill th
vacancy, the law giving the iudg
authority to do SO. Therefore ne woul
VI probably NOT be advised of the chang
N for day or two.
III When Mr.. Byrne was appointed di!
II trict attorney, three years ago, he wa
II Regular Republican and was generall
n regarded as a bitter anti Addicks mar
n but early in the last campaign he bega
h TO manifest signs of leaning towar
81 the Union Republicans, and tho latte
E party placed him on their ticket ;
III their candidate for Representative
ii Congress. Since his nomination be b,
been one of the chief figures in I'll
J Union Republican party, and after
resigned from the district attorneysh
he began an active campaign of speecl
making in the interest of the Unic
Republican faction, but he failed
election, Henry A. Houston, the Dem
q cratic candidate, defeating both hi
II and Dr. E. Heisler Ball, the Regul
N Republican candidate. The vote of I'll
three candidates was as follows: NJ
4 Houston, 49, 33T; Mr.. Byrne, 1901
DR.. Ball, s,12S.
Ever since the election some
HI the Union Republican leaders ha
been making capital out of the diife
that this matter has been brought
the attention of the national admin
tration.
Monday ]. Edward Addicks was
Washington, and so:-e of the Uni
Republicans say they believe his Wis
had something to do with the appoir
81 ment of MIR. Byrne. When Mr.. Byr
NJ was spoken 10 on this point he said
kNdid not know anything about Mr.. A
dicks visit to Washington.
The Union Republicans also say th
tie appointment means that Preside
Roosevelt has analysed the vote
Delaware and on the strength of t
result has decided to favor the Uni
Republicans and make Addicks,
national committeeman, tho dispens
i of Federal patronage. They also 6
that it means the election Of Addic
to the United States Senate.
III Mr.. Byrne is iubilant ard SO are
ii pf the other Union Republicans W
talked on the subject today.
Regular Republicans are mystife
\ Bome of them regard the matter as
afortto force a union of the tactic
IN Delaware, but they say it will ha
j Just the opposite effect and that
a Regulars will be more bitter than g,
"A In their opposition to Addicks. Th
Doouse Mr.. Byrne of being the ch
, }actor in the defeat of DIR. Ball, W
vas the first epublioan CongressioI
,ominee in theseampaign, and this
I made them all the more bitter agaii
4 She Addicks people. Many Reguli
q sre more bitter against Byrne th
against Addicks. although Byrne v
Il egarded as Addioks' personal can
n date.
4 The office of district attorney pt
n IN annual salary of $1,000. Mr.. ByI
VI :. docs not know whom he is to assn
d his duties.
Ybe