New-York tribune., 1903-01-16
CHANCE FOR DELAWARE.

The anti-Addicks Republicans in the Delaware
legislature aave received from the Democrauc
members a proposition by accepting which they
can break the deadlock and fill the vacancies IN
fbe United States Senate. The Democratic
members 1wenty-one in number, have oHered
10 ioin with them in electing two Senators, one
10 be named by each party 10 the proposed
agreement This offer, avowedly designed 10
end the reign Of corruption in Delaware Is
made through the medium Of an address TO the
reople OF the State. and may possibly he re-
sarded. for that reason, and because OF the
terms in which it is couched. as somewhat
pretentious profession Of political virtue But
II seems unnecessary TO give Importance to tnat
consideration From a practical point OF view
II is liberal proposition, inasmuch as the
democrats who must furnish twenty-one OF the
necessary twenty-seven votes, offer to elect
Renublican for the longer of the unexpired
-erms, that is, for four years. and their own
man for the shorter that is. for two years.
The anti-Addicks leaders will not decide upon
sbejr course for several days. In the mean
time they will presumably listen attenuFely 10
suggestions from sources which they deem
friendly. If they are disposed 10 consult the
general sentiment of Republicans throughout
the country, as under the circumstances they
well may be- we think they can safely assume
shaf il would approve their acceptance OF the
offer For the sake not of the State alone, put
of the country. Delaware's vacant seats in the
Senate ought to be occupied. They would both
hare been occupied by Republicans years ago
II the ambition Of one man had not led him TO
resolve that they should both remain vacant
until he could get one of them. 1T has got TO
he Addicks or nobody" was his declaration
away back in 1895. when his control of a few
l~aii in Twin
r,el Dupont defective title-or, rather, title
which. largely through his manipulation, the
Senate arbitrarily invalidated. From that day
10 this Addicks has persistently adhered TO his
r,olicv and made II effective by the use OF
money.
An analysis of the votes cast for members OF
the legislature last November leaves little room
for doubt that the followers Of Addicks constl-
fute e considerable majority of the Republicans
of the State but nobody questions, and he has
scarcely thought it worth while 10 make pre-
renee of denying. that be has gradually col
lected his majority by corruption. He has not
directly bought the requisite number Of indl-
vfduals but he has bought the men TO whom
rhe requisite number of individuals are sub
servient He was outlawed by the Republi-
can National Convention Of 1896 for having
BETRAYED his party, and the fact that he was
restored by the convention OF lsoo Ola not make
him less odious. It might be rash to assert that
acceptance Of the Democratic offer by the men
who have unfiinchingly opposed him SO long
would get rid Of him forever, but it would
eliminate him for at least two years, and it
would probably put in the vacant Senate seats
men not unworthy TO occupy them-in one OF
them, perhaps, Colonel Dupont, who ought to
have been seated seven years ago.
II is serious thing for Republicans to elect a
Democratic Senator Of the United States. The
Democrats of the Delaware legislature doubt
less sincerely think that it is serious thing to
elect a Republican. But the situation is a seri-
ogs one and there seems TO be no other way TO
relieve il without rewarding reachery and
rsnctioning corruption. The proposed agree
ulew is further commendable in that il includes