Evening journal., 1903-03-16
Democrats VIII Make Eff
fort to Control the,EIec-
ton Although Repub-
Iicans Claim Power
Question VIII Probably
Be Decided By Court.
Robert p. Edwards
VIII Make Protest

Tomorrow night viii mark the be-
ginning OF struggle between the
Democratic and Republican members
OF the Department Of Elections, rs to
which faction win conduct the coming
city election. The tight Will be watched
with considerable interest by politi-
cims and others alike, and viii prob
ably be taken into court, as both par
I ties will contest the rights OF each
other IL necessary until n decision is
handed down from the bench.
Democratic Claim.
The Democratic members OF the So
called Department Of Municipal Elec-
tions claims that its board comprising
three men. two OF whom are Demo-
Gratis. Is empowered by law TO conduct
city elections. and assert the enlarged
department. composed OF five mem
bers three Republicans and two
Democrats, is the Department OF State
elections, which has nothing to do with
municipal affairs.
Republican Side.
The Republican members OF the en-
larged board, however claim that the
two additional appointees OF the de-
} partment appointed March Is. 1901
! under an act passed by the Legisla-
ture. exercise all the rights. powerB.end
privileges possessed by the three rnefn-
, bers OF the old board before the de-
, partment was enlarged. The members
OF the old board are; Martin i. Fairy,
whose term OF Office will expire In Au-
, gust. and Armon d. Chaytor. Demo-
Gratis, ana Robert i. Edwards, Repub-
lican. The addition OF ]. II. Lewis and
Thomas A. ID. Hutson, Republicans,
comprises the enlarged board. or De-
d partment OF State Elections, as the
Democrats call It.
What tho Law Says.
The law touching upon the matter
was approved March 3, 1901, and Is
very plain. II reads as follows:
Chapter 40. volume %. Laws OF Dela-
ware, OF the elections IN Wilmington
7 hundred.
{ An act in relation to the Department
e OF Elections for the city OF Whining
3 ton.
= Re It enacted by the Senate and
= House OF Representatives of he state
: OF Delaware in General Assembly met.
Section /. That the Department Of
Elections for the city OF Wilmington.
. as established and constituted by chap
= ter 80. volume 10. Laws OF Delaware.
: and as constituted and created by
chapter 40. volume 21. Laws OF Della
ware, be and the same is hereby en-
larged 10. and made 20 consist OF five
members, for all general or special
elections TO be hereafter held in said
city.
Section 2. That the Governor be and
he is hereby authorized and empower
\ ed to appoint and commission two
4 suitable persons. residents OF the city
y OF Wilmington. TO be members OF the
lsaid enlarged Department OF Elections
for the city of Wilmington.
c Section 3. That the term OF office OF
one of the said two members shall be
two years. and the term OF the other
and remaining member shall be three
years, and at the expiration OF said two
terms and thereafter every three years
r, the Governor shall appoint suitable
N persons TO succeed the said members
for the term OF three years.
~ Section 4. That the members so ap-
v pointed shall have, possess. enjoy and
b. exercise all and every rights. powers
n and privileges which are now held
- possessed, enjoyed and exercised by
~ the present members Of said depart
y ment and vested in them by law and
shall perform each and every duty
le which the present members OF said de-
rs psrtment are now required to perform
ar by law; and they shall each receive the
- same compensation as now fixed by
~ law for the other three members, which
=, shall be paid by the State treasurer, al
"a the same time and in the same way as
!, now provided by law for the payment
OF the compensation OF the present
4, members OF said department.
-Di Section 5. That from and after the
n first day of April, A. ID. 1901, the De.
Dl partment OF Elections shall consist and
'e be composed Of five members. to wit
the three members who are now mem.
re bers OF said department and the TIVE
members appointed by the governor
I'd and the said five members shall consti.
III tute the Department OF Elections foi
ne the City OF Wilmington
IL The Department OF Elections for the
as city of Wilmington so constituted ai
,a aforesaid, shall have full and com.
M plete jurisdiction over all and every
!. the matters and things now vested by
law in the Department Of Elections foi
the city OF Wilmington, as at present
constituted. and shall exercise ever,
power, privilege, right and duty whicl
now belongs 10 the said Department o