New-York tribune., 1903-03-03
ADDICKSs POLITICAL CAREER
Fifteen Years of Struggle for a Seat In
United States Senate.
rB4 TELEGRAPH TO The TRIsUSE.I

BY TELEGRAPH TRIBLSE.I
Dover Tel March John Edward AddickA
began his long struggle for a seat In the Senate
in 1888, when the term Of Eli salisbury vas
about to expire. Although absolutely unknown
to the politicians and people Of Delaware he
obtained come backing. but when the Repubii-
can legislature met IN January. 1880. the caucus
nomination went to Anthony Higgins. In 1897
Mr. AddIcks again entered the field. The Demo
Gratis carried the State however, ard George
Gray was elected to the Senate
In 1894, when ATr. Higgins's term was about n
expire Addicks made his third essay for the
SenatorshIp. The Republicans secured nineteen
members and the Democrats eleven. but only
eleven Of the nineteen Republicans attended the
caucus, which gave the nomination to SIr. FIig-
gins on the second ballot. A protracted deadlock
ensued lasting from January If until May 9
Colonel Henry A. Dupont was formally declared
elected by Speaker McNuI;fn. of the House; but
he actually lacked on vote OF majority, in case
the claim Of Speaker Watson Of the Senate. a.
that time acting Governor OF the State, OF the
right to continue TO exercise his privileges az
Senator were allowed. Addicks held four votes
to the last, and, although the Republican
Speaker OF the House declared Dupont elected
the Democratic Speaker Of the Senate ard act
ing Governor OF the State declared the joint con-
vention adjourned sine die without election
"a position In which he vas sustained by the
Senate at Washington.
From that time dates the split OF the party
into the two factions styled Union and Regular
Republicans. Each faction put state ticket
in the field in 1896. which threw the election
to the Democrats and sent Richard r Kenney
TO the Senate. Addicks returned TO the charge
in 1898 when there was another deadlock. last
ing until the adjournment Of the legislature IN
March, 1899. One hundred and thirteen ballots
altogether were taken in the Join convention.
This chapter in his yar1egated history was made
notable by Addicks securing the open support
Of three OF the Democratic members.
Then came the great campaign of 1'Ha- Ad-
dicks secured a decided advantage at the start
by obtaining for his organization recognition
nv the Republican National COMMITTEE and
Convention which had been denied TO him in
1896. The legislature which met III January
1901 was composed of twenty-nint nominal Re
Dublicaus and twenty three Democrats. twenty
seven votes being necessary TO elect Tho
struggle started with sixteen Of the Republicans
cIassed aa Unionists and the remaining thlr-
teen as Regulars. On February 10 four OF the
Regulars went over to AddiCkS. and on March
1 two others followed them. increasing the Al
dicks vote to twenty-five. but leaving him still
i've short. The session came to a close on March
Z with the two seats still untitled.
Last wear the two Republican facflonS unlte1
on a State ticket. which was elected, but ran
senarate candidates for the lower House OF Con-
gress with the result of letting the Democratic
candidate slip in between. When the legislature
met on January the ofrlGeS were OlFldei
90 Addicks again turned up as candidate Tor
both terms. The lines remained practically IN
hroken until the end OF the struggle was
brought about by the retirement Of AddichS.