New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-05
THE PASSING OF ADDICKs.

DISPATCHES from Delaware indicate that the
political career of ]. Edward Addicks is draw
ing to close. The so-called Union Republican
organization, which he founded and used for
years as an instrument to advance his personal
fortunes has apparently tired of his rule or ruin
leadership. J. Frank Alice, United States Sen
ator and chairman of the Union Republican
State Committee has broken with Addicks and
has served notice that perpetual claimant
and maker of deadlocks that his political am
billions can never be satisfied. Mr.. Alice has
conducted dozen campaigns-some partially
successful and others hopeless failures-for the
gas magnate who domiciled himself in Della
ware with the fixed idea that there, if any
where seat in the United States Senate would
be knocked down to the highest bidder. Now,
however, Mr.. Alice is weary He sees that the
State can neither be dragooned nor cajoled into
heaping on a carpet bag adventurer the honors
it once reserved for its Grays, its Bayards and
its Claytons. Il should be false to myself and
doubly false to Mr.. Addicks,' says the Union
Republican chairman, were /, in the face OF
'undeniable and unaterable conditions, to lead
him on in the belief, or in the hope, that
.he can be elected United States Senator from
Delaware"
We are not much concerned with the sub
sidiary motives and causes which underlie the
schism in the Union Republican camp. There
longer in a position to indulge in the luxury
of private political organization. proprie
tary party. operated for the proprietor's sole
benefit and gloriication, is costly venture 1t
can be kept intact only by lavish expenditure.
1t must also attain its objects speedily, for.
lacking any moral or genuinely disinterested
popular support it must depend for life and
growth on dollhouse processes of stimulation. It
cannot survive a series Of reverses for success
alone can justify. even to its supporters, the
departure it involves from normal theories of
party action.
We do not know what clashes of interest or
opinion may have figured in the rupture now
reported from Dover. But it seems clear that
Mr. Addickss dog in the manger policy has at
last disguised even his own lieutenants and
followers. His utterly selfish attitude during
the legislative deadlock last winter must have
convinced Delaware Republicans of all shades
of sentiment that his elimination from politics
is a public necessity. The Republican party
controlled the joint Assembly at Dover in 1905,
it had controlled it In 1903, in 1901 and in
1899 But Mr.. Addicks's determination TO al
low no other Republican than himself to be
elected United States Senator again nullifed
the party's triumph at the polls. as it has done
in every other deadlocked legislature, with one
exception. in the last ten years. Mr.. Alice is
right in decaring-for himself and hope
also for the Union Republican committeeman
such arrogant and fruitless leadership must
cease. No man can have a monopoly Of
party honors. If the Union Republican organi-
zation is to continue to be recognized ''regu-
lar by the party at large, the ground that
it casts more votes than the contending fac
ton, it must show itself in return to be, not
the mere chattel and plaything of an individual,
but body capable of representing Republican
principles and promoting Republican interests.
Mr.. Alice seems TO admit this obligation, and
in admitting it he writes fms on the career
of the schemer who for six years has been using
the machinery of the party for purely private
and personal advantage. The people of Della
ware will never consent to Mr.. Addcks's cleo
ton 10 the United States Senate The Union
Republicans Of that commonwealth should lose
no time in RELOCATING incompetent and grasp
ing leader TO the position of high private in the
rear rank.