Evening journal., 1903-02-11
ETETR S FROM THE PEOPLE
The want to . Win -

10 the Editor Of the Evening Journal.
Slr; l have been moved from my ub-
serYation of local politics during the
last few years to pay my respects to
the 'Want-to-win man" who is a fac
TOR IN the situation, and who hopes ut
timately to inherit the earth.
The "want-to-win" Republican has
no morals. no ideals-at least he does
not take them into politics. TO him
D. Edward Addicks. Frank Alice or
Esquire Bradley would be acceptable
as senatorial candidates, so long as he
can figure something out OF it.
The inevitable consequence is that il
takes hut few years to place him in
the ranks of the worst element of the
party and thereafter he may be re-
garded as an ap0logist for any CON
ceivable rascality.
All the Addicks men began by being
''want-to-win" men. They wished to
preserve the respect of their friends.
so they claimed to be opposed to Ad-
dicks on principle, while affirming that
it was necessary to deal with him in
order to maintain party supremacy.
The one characteristic was that they
all wanted something, and they held il
expedient to refrain from wounding
the feelings OF those who were en-
gagged in criminal practices, yet who
were powerful in politics.
Most of these men did mot tarly long
in their neutral state, but sought shelter
under the Addicks wing. Behold Fred
Bach; he claimed to- be on the fence.
and I'm the party's sacred name de-
manded that all Republicans should
work together Then he moved his
baggage TO the Addicks camp. and be-
came a servile follower of "Cale" lay
ton and Frank Allee.
Then there is Byune. Up to the time
of the last National Convention he was
the most ardent Regular Republican.
But when the Addicks delegates were
seated, he suddenly decided that the
factions should get together, even go
ing so far as to proclaim that Addicks
must be recognized This was only the
transition stage, and il was not long
ere he was prepared to swallow the Ad-
dicks dose. declaring that it was good.
Those who have read the interviews
with Anthony Higgins from time to
time will probably feel that he cannot
he classed as a 'want-to-winner, but
a little bit of thought will lead TO the
conclusion that these interviews have all
been given at the precise psychological
moment. When they would really do
the most good, they are not forthcom-
ing. At the present moment. for i'm
stance, Mr.. Higgins is so poorly in
formed ON the situationthatheis unable
TO express an opinion. IL is strange
that fer the first time in his life, he
is net in touch with the situation.
But il is a strange thing that in every
Legislature there are Higgins men, and
that when Addicks cracks his whip
they are usually the ones to go over to
him. 1t may be unfortunate for mr..
Higgins, but II is true, nevertheless.
The latest want to-win" movement
is that which was started in the office
of Mr. Hillcs. when a petition was
drawn favCring the retention of ByrnC
for United States District Attorney
Like all ''want-to-win" movements Il
aims to give comfort and support tC
Mr. Addicks. and was evidently in.
spired by a desire to carry favor with
the Gasman.
The trouble with the swant-to-win'
man is that he desires so much to re
main neutral and popular that he be
comes themost valuable toof ofAddicks
and If Addicks should ever triumpl
he would owe his success to the mel
who have no convictions. or who hay'
subordinated them to a desire to boos
their own fortunes Had our leadinl
men manifested backbone in ever
emergency George Nennan would hay
had no talk OF Delaware depravity Z
write Backbone.
Wilmington, Del. Feb. 10. 1903.