Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-08-21
UNION REPUBLICAN
POLITICAL DIFFICULT TIES
As Revealed by The Results Of the
County Conventions Of Kent and
Sussex, Held Yesterday.
THE REGULAR REPUBLICANS
MUST BE GIVEN RECOGNITION
Or Else the Union Tickets Will
be Defeated.
DETAIL OF THE SUSSEX CONVENTION

Special Correspondence of Gazette and journal.
Milford, Aug. 20.-The aftermath of
the Kent Union Republican County
Convention at Dover yesterday presents
some interesting features, ohieiest
among which is the very apparent fact
that the gas mans organization in
Kent county has learned how to make a
little sop" go great way. The whole
strength of the organization in this
county has depended its future
must depend-on what the voters get
out of their allegiance to Addicks.
Not only is it a well-known fact that
all of his lieutenants are drawing sal
aries in one capacity or another, but it
is equally true that all the way down
tho line is the enthusiasm kept up by
dealing out pap Now, whom this
band of the faithful get together in
convention, there is sure to be lots to
perplex tho management in distribut-
ing the plums So it was yesterday.
Heading the list of places there was
that of sheriff, and notwithstanding
the boast of tine present incumbent,
Frank Reedy, that he should enter the
contest for another two year term, there
were other hungry ones to be fed, SO
this nomination went to Riley Melvin
of South Murderkill hundred. Melvin
has been after the fat office for several
years, and couldn't be held off longer.
Then there was the office of recorder of
deeds, for which there were many can
didates but this place was handed over
to David Cooper. Cooper lives in what
is known as the .Shoestring district. =
narrow neck of land with rather in
definite boundaries and situated partly
in South Murderkill and partly in Mis-
pillion hundred, and, it is said, Cooper
is factor there, that left uncared for
could do the party lots of damage.
James ". McCommons, the nominee of
the convention for clerk of the peace,
is we'll known Gamer of Wyoming
and Speaker of the last House--a man
OF many good qualities, but strong
adherent to everything looking like
Addicks. A. A. Watson, named for
clerk of the Orphans Court and reg
lister in chancery, is resident of Dover
and long identified with the Senatorial
aspirant; for county treasurer b. T.
Conwell was named because ne is also
a stauDch Addicks man and easily salts
fled. Neither of the latter two places
are very remunerative, and are the two
magnanimously mentioned recently by
leading Union men as the offices they
were ready to give the Regulars for
their support of the rest of the county
ticket. The last of the offices was that
Of coroner, for which w. I. Bradley,
also of South Murderkill, had made a
stiff fight, but South Murderkill icing
we'll provided for, the favor went 10
Henry H., Abbott of Milford, uncle OF
S. John A bbott, who was turned down
for State senatorial honors; a sort of
family recognition, as it were, for the
badly used Senator.
In the selection of Alvan B. Conner
of FELTON, for Senator from the Fifth
Senatorial district, the convention did
the only thing it could under the cir
cumstances, though the arrangement is
a bitter pill for large. number of
voters. In the first place, the Hon. s.
John don't think it was fair show to
be set up and knocked down SO uncere-
moniously, especially as he has been
such useful man to the "boss, I" also,
Conner is a railroad man''-one long
in the employ of the Delaware road, and
as such, quite obnoxious TO many
voters in the party that has always
used the cry against the railroads.
as one OF its strong cards.
But there is an apparent lack of con-
tdence in the breasts of tho different
nominees as to their election, even
though they are the choice of their con-
stituents. The Regulars and the Demo-
Gratis, they fear may upset their
"block houses. - They are careful of
what they say. The Regulars will this
time, when it comes to making out their
county ticket, demand recognition at
the hands of the Union party, or else
they Will nominate and vote for full
independent ticket. This is foregono
conclusion, and for tho sake of win
ming out over tho Democratic ticket,
which is an especially strong ono this
year, several of the present nominees
for county Offices on the Union Repub-
lican ticket may be asked to step do Sn.
No one knows who these may be, SO
there is unrest and uncertainty.
The Regulars propose to assert their
rights this year, and they must be
recognized generously or else they will
tight their own battle, let the results
be what they may. The Regular Re-
publican organization is better and
stronger than ever before, and there
have been converts in nearly all dis
tricts that have simply astonished the
Addicks people. They don't know what
it means and are ready, it is believed, to
to all reasonable demands to
make terms of peace with those in Kent
county who heretofore they have hardly
given passing notice.