New-York tribune., 1905-12-18
PASSES And POLITICS.
Railroad Action Mag affect Sat~a-
ton IN DeIazCdre.

1,ouar DeI Dec II (SpeciaD-The Republican
situation in Delaware having remained unchanged
with the prospects for harmony as remote as ever
the most important development along political
lines within the last week is one which directly
affects the Democratic party. Ever since the
memorable Saulsbury-WoIcott fight in the ranks
of the Democracy in 1SSS the outcome or Whlch
was the election OF a Republican legislature that
chose Anthony Higgins. Of Wilmington as the
first Republican United States Senator from this
State the Wolcott faction has held itself together
to a great extent by it's requirement Of Pennsyi-
vania Railroad passes.
This element of the party has thereby gained
the title of Railroad Democrats" and within re-
cent years has opposed State Chairman WIZARD
Salisbury, Of Wilmington, on almost all occasions
But for the action of the Railroad Democrats IN
1902 in cutting the Democratic legislative nofal-
nees in many districts throughout the State, the
General Assembly of 1903 would doubtless have peen
Democratic and the election of Mr. salisbury as
Senator and a colleague agreeable to him would
have resulted. AS it was however, the Repupllcahs
captured majority of the members, and j. FRANK
Alice and Congressman l.. Helsler 6au "eIe eleO'-
Chairman Salisbury has waged relentless war
9 le and PiS 5 recent acton Of President Cas-
satt of the Pennsylvania Railroad IN ordering an
political transportation to be cut off on the iret
of the coming year shows that MS aclVl'y HaS
borne fruit. .,,. .,oo+,,,- -
Lewes which was called for the purpose of dis
cussing proposed inland waterway MI sau9- AUS
bury made stirring address against the eVliS
of the pass system as applied to Delaware and
showed how shippers bore the brunt of the prac-
tice The address created stir throughout the
State. but it not then known that the Cassatt
order was contemplated The recent development.
therefore. makes the course of the State chairman
all the more apropos.
With the Railroad Democrats deprived of free
transportation, they will be without a powerful
aid in the coming campaign. This Will naturally
help the Salisbury Democrats, who comprise the
organization, will give them decided lead over
their factional opponents. 1t is not improbable
harmony in the Democratic ranks OF Delaware
than any other development. With the railroad
Democrats footing with the Saulsbury men
they look to the latter who are in the major
ity for favorS.
It is evident that should the Democrats get to-
gether, and assuming that the Republican dlssen-
sions will not be wholly healed, the former party
would stand a good chance Of Of electing leg1s, I
lature next year which in 1907, VIII elect TWO
United States Senators. The anti-pass order i Is
consequently of far more Importance in this state
than is apparent Mr.. Salisbury would naturally
be of the Senators.
John Biggs, Of Wilmington, the son-in-law 70 OF
George V. Massey, general solicitor OF the Penn
sylvanta Railroad in Philadelphia, and ex-Secretary
Of State James H. Hughes, of Dover, are among
the leaders of the antSaulsbury wing of the Dem,
ocrats. Mr.. BiggS is counsel for the pennsylvania
Railroad in this State. The power OF this ran rail
road in Delaware has long been a matter or com
mon comment. but with the proniscuous issuance
of passes withdrawn it Is not known whether this
condition will continue.