Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
PREPARING A STATEMENT
Will Set at Rest Reports Regarding
Political Views.
4 SAFE MAJORITY CLAIMED
Settlement Of Senatorial Fight at Be.
ginning Of Session of Legislature
New Departure in Delaware.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WILMINGTON, Del, December 22.-The
Delaware senatorial situation has shaped
itself to such an extent that the election
of Judge James Pennewill Of Dover as the
successor Of Senator j. Frank Alice by the
legislature next month at Dover is now re-
garded as certainty. At the lowest esti-
mate 1t Is said, the judge will have twenty
two Of the thirtysix republican votes on
the first ballot in caucus, three more than
the necessary majority This, it is de-
clared, does not include any Of the legisla-
tors who are in any way doubtful.
1t has been expected that the entire thir-
teen republican members Of the general as
sembfy from New Castle county would vote
for Pennewill, but even If two of them
should go to Alice, as the latter claims, the
chances of the judge would not be lessened.
Alice Is hard at work in an endeavor to
make 1nroads on the Pennewill strength
! throughout the state, but it was learned to-
day that his efforts will not avail to the
extent Of enabling him to secure a major
ity of the caucus.
A Safe Majority.
A conservative estimate made by a promi-
nent republican leader gives the Pennewill
vote on the initial ballot as follows: New
Castle county, IL; Kent county, 3;
Sussex county, 8. Total, %. 1t is probable
that this will be increased to twenty-seven
votes by the addition of two more votes
from New Castle and three from Sussex.
The balance of the vote will be divided be-
tween Alice, Addicks and Caleb r. Layton,
auditor of the State Department in Wash
ington. Alice is the most formidable as
pirant outside of Pennewill.
The interests of Judge Pennewill are be-
ing looked after directly by his brother, ex-
State Senator Sisson S. Pennewill Of Green
wood. The judge has not publicly an
nounced his attitude as regards the sena-
torship, a condition that is being used by
Alice in his own behalf. Nevertheless. 1t
is definitely known that the judge has
agreed to accept the honor.
To Issue Statement.
The judge at the request of his friends,
will shortly prepare a statement setting
forth his willingness to be elected as sena-
tor. This will probably be given out dur
ing the first week of the session Of the
legislature and will set at rest all reports
regarding his views
The settlement of the senatorial issue at
the start of the coming session will mark
q distinct departure in Delaware. 1t VIII
be the first time since 1859. when the re-
publicans first controlled the general as
sembly, that a senator will have been elect
ed by this party on the day stipulated. In
1889 Anthony Higgins of Wilmington, was
chosen in caucus and formally elected. In
1895, however, when the republicans again
secured control, the deadlocks began with
Addicks in the leading role. The democrats
were In the majority In 1897 and elected
Richard r. Kenrey as the successor Of Hig-
gins.
The sessions OF 1905 ended without the
election of a senator, although Col. Henry
A. Du pont was chosen at special ses-
sion of that body last June. The expected
election of Judge Pennewill, therefore. at
the beginning of the 1907 session. will be
welcomed by the republican leaders as in
dicating the end of factional warfare.