Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-27
WELLINGTON, r0EsDAY. FEB. 2
n nlscElLAEEous RRcoRh
Admitting TheIr QUIT.

The anti-bribery crusade not only has
aroused public sentiment 10 tho point Of
resistance, but has brought offenders TO
the stool Of repentance. No longer is the
attempt made TO deny that the election
Of 1904 in this State was attended with
tho greatest carnival of debauchery and
vote-buying ever known here.
The buying Of votes has been practiced
In Delaware for nearly three-quarters of
a century, but il was not until 1883 that
Il assumed more than its ordinary pro-
portions, those Of purchasing the limited
number Of "hoatersp in Kent and Sussex
counties, representatives Of a long line
OF vote sellers. But the election of that
year was marked by deliberate cam
paign Of corruption in Sussex county, by
the Republican party workers, encouraged
by the divided condition Of the Demo
cratic party Rich Republicans Of Philq-
delphia were appealed to and responded
literally, and with tho money thus pro-
cured votes were bought for the Republi-
can ticket in Sussex county in sufficient
quantities TO carry that county and elect
tho entire legislative delegation, under the
system Of county representation in the
State Legislature which then prevailed.
Democratic dissension did the rest and,
for the first time in lis history, the Repub-
hcan party was enabled 10 elect Senator
from Delaware.
The boldness and extent Of this open
purchase of an election challenged atten-
ton. Every Evening made an investi-
cation which revealed the vote-buying
methods Of both parties in Kent and Sus-
sex counties, as they had been followed
for years, and also exposed the special
efforts made by the Sussex county Re
publicans that year. The effect Of this
exposure was healthful, and might have
been far-reaching. But, unfortunately,
this open buying Of a senatorship drew the
eyes Of J. Edward Addicks to Delaware.
and then was inaugurated that era Of vile
debauchery and Wholesale vote-buying
which eliminated at the election Of 1904
in the expenditure of fully 100000 on
election day alone, for the purchase of
votes and included other agencies than
those Of AddicSs Republicanism in carry
ing out the abominable work.
Meanwhile, all accusations Of election
corruption were met with either CON
tomptous indifference or audacious de-
niais The few Republicans who would
admit that there had been any Republican
corruption justified it on the ground of
existing Democratic corruption. Demo
Gratis whose hands were stained with the
crime OF buying votes joined in denouncing
Republican corruption. Hypocrisy thus
held high revel, but meanwhile the leaven
OF public and political honesty, so long
suppressed was working quietly, and inn
mediatcy upon the starting of tho anti
bribery movement it burst forth with an
impetus that swept down all barriers of
denial and opposition with It's onward
rush.
Election corruption is no longer denied
or extonuated. Its oyistence is now ad-
mitied aud doplorcd. The wonderful
extent Of this change Of sentiment has
been manifested in various ways, but most
strikingly in the action Of the New Castle
County Regular Republican Committee.
at its meeting in this city on Saturday
last. "lhe penicious practice of bribery
by the use Of money and by other means
for the purchase and influencing Of venal
voters, both at the primary and general
elections in Delaware, has reached degree
that is appalling, if not unparalleled. 3"
was the deliberate declaration Of this COM
mittee, through preamble and resolution
formally adopted. And Il placed itself
on record as "unqualifedly opposed to the
use Of money for the purchase Of votes at
any and all elections, and to bribery in
any manner"
No longer can election corruption be
denied. The crime has been admitted
The pendulum, which long swung farther
and farther in the path Of debauehery.
is now receding. The anti-bnbery cam
paign is success from the start. With
sinners admitting their sins and protesting
conversion, the rest Of the campaign Is
smooth sailing. The anti-bribery workers
will find it all the easier TO prevent back
sliding and fresh ofiendings.