Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-14
THB COMMENTATOR.

On Tuesday last the two ho1ses Of !
the General Assembly voted 10 elect q
United States Senator, and the choice /
was Col Henry A. dn Pont. An op-
portunity Tor extensive comment pre-.
seats itself, but all of the circum-
stances attending the quarrel between
the Republican factions have been 80
burned into the brains OF men that
extended discussion would be irksome.
When it was over there were no signs
OF Intense iubilation, but like two
armies who had fought TO the last
ditch and one OF them had pulled out
victory, there WAS little thought Of
cheering. since all we're busy nursing
sore spots. This struggle being over.
every good citizen viii pray that this
election VIII mark the dawn Of q new
era in our politics. cleaner era and
much depends upon the attitude OF
Col II. A. du POnt, who becomes the
Virtual leader Of the whole party.
Let us hope that il will be the Col.
DUPONT that we knew in the early
days Of Addioksism-the Col. du Pont
all were acquainted with until 4.
Coleman du Pont became his political
manaper-the Col. du Pont who, in
the old days, could not be cajoled into
contributing to funds, that might by
any pretext be turned 10 Gebauchery.
Let US hope that Col du Pont, with
his new honor, will throw the tremen-
dous influence he will possess in the
direction Of clean ballot for Della
ware.
For we know that there is an ele-
ment today that is neither Union nor
kegnlar-the graft Republicans, il
they may be so termed-who are look
| ing forward to another era OF debauch-
cry, expecting Col. du pont 10 supply
them with the means. But the larger
element Of the party are tired and
sick of wallowing in the mud, and are
praying for better things. This ele-
ment desires the support and influence
OF the new Senator, but IL it is denied,
then Col du Pont will gradually at.
tract the friends that have been the
friends Of Addicks and have for his
opponents The men who have opposed
Addicks. Enough Of that; now let US
come back 20 the anti-bribery move.
ment-the movement that we have
q right to ask the new Senator to sup
port.
Bribery at the polls is only part of
/ that system Of criminal graft which
! hourishes in Delaware and elsewhere.
It's utter eradication is perhaps inn
! possible, but it must be greatly re-
duced, rendered repugnant and made
/ impossible with people protesting re-
/ spectability, or we shall have to
admit to ourselves that republican
institutions among US have failed and
that We regard a degree Of criminality
20 dominate us in our government as
necessary. Now We must seek to place
the responsibility and not vince when
| It comes near to our own political
friends or leaders. For the man who
would ooniine absolute probity at elec-
tions 70 the other fellow, reserving for
himself and his friends the use Of
fraud and triokery, is the dangerous
person that the community is con-
cerned with.
II 5000 votes are bought 5000 men
have committed a crime, have offended
against the laws of their State, against
republican institutions and against
the moral code. But what shall be
said OF the man who has deliberately
planned 20 seduce those 5, 600 men and
has furnished the money and organ.
lied the machinery to do IL =? Is IL not
possible TO say that his crime is that
of q single purchased voter multiplied
by b,00Of For his act ion is the source
Of 5000 offences, and without him or
another like him, temptation would
not have been placed before the weak.
| And we have often heard those who
have been parties to election corrup.
tion express loathing for the man who
has taken the bribe, but it is only
proper that public sentiment shall
come to hold the briber OF the man
who conniyes at bribery as on a par
with one who practices seduction
and, II there is any tenderness, it
must be shown TO the seduced.
II is said that there are many very
good citizens who under the old sys-
tenn have been parties to unclean
methods, who are now earnestly de-
sirous Of wiping out election corrup-
tion. II they are really in earnest
they will not be injured and should
not be offended by having their in
iQuities pointed out. The thing OF
first importance is to frankly admit
the evil; to attempt no eyasions or
palliation. And the next thing is 70
courageously apply whatever remedies
are necessary, sparing nobody, no Or
ganization and no personal interest
that stands in the way. Now let us
observe some Of the effects Of bribery.
Mr.. y is running for the Legislature
he has gotten his nomination by
promising TO support the measures
dear TO the heart of the boss who per-
mitted him 20 run. He is not a free
agent, because he has mortgaged him
self 70 secure the nomination. But
he must mortgage himself further
His election requires the purchase Of
a certain number Of voters and he
must secure the money from the boss.
So the election is purchased by the
corruption of the electorate, and the
member goes to Dover TO make the
laws under which we are 10 live.
First, he takes the oath of n MEM
Der and probably then and there com.
mits perjury. He will not support
the Constitution hole-heartedly b.
cause he is mortgaged and he kncws
how he Is stretching the truth when
he swears that he has not given ans
money or other valuable thing 10
secure his election. when the session
begins he makes a tne showing OF
virtue, but he did not commit a crime
in engaging in the purchase OF votes
merely 70 so TO Dover for the honor
of sitting in the Legislature. lie now
holds the cards and he proposes TO
play them for all they are worth. He
must pay of the mortgage his boss
and creators hold on him but beyond
that he is free 20 hunt his own graft
Sometimes the bosses generally
throw things in his way when a cor
poration is 70 be bled, and this makes
his indebtedness the greater.