Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-01
WIIMINaToN, THUHsDAT, FB8. 4,
MisoELLAsEous RECORD
The UnIon RepubIIoan sohene.

The Union Republican Scheme.
In tho course Of an unusually interesting
political letter from Georgetown, which
We print elsewhere in this issue, il is set
forth that the scheme Of the Union Re-
publicans this year is to "cut loose" en-
tirely from Republican associations in
New Castle county except so far as such
associations may promise them two or
three Representative districts, and devote
their entire energies 10 making clean
sweep OF Kent and Sussex counties Should
this scheme succeed. the Union Republi-
cans would have sufficient votes in tho
next General Assembly to elect two
United States Senators, without asking
the aid or consent Of any New Castle
county Republican of either faction.
lt must be admitted that d study Of the
figures Of the latest election in Kent and
Sussex counties, together with those Of
the previous election in tho Senatorial
districts at stake in this years contest,
which arc quoted by our correspondent,
makes reasonable the conclusion that such
result is not impossible, no matter how
improbable it may seem. AZ the last
election tho Union Republicans carried
seven of the ten Representative districts
IN Kent county, while the Democratic
maionties in the other three districts were
distre3ingly SMALL In Sussex county
ihcy carried eight Of the ten Representa-
tive districts, while the combined major
iiy in the two Democratic districts was
less than 100 When Union Republican
methods are considered, IL will be ad-
mitted that a concentration Of effort,
together with possession Of the registrn-
ton and election machinery and large
corruption fund for the purchase Of votes
would make the Union Republican cam
paign for the capture Of every Senatorial
and Representative district in Kent and
Sussex counties anything but hopeless.
However, while this undesirable result
is not impossible, Il must be admitted
that there are several difficulties in the
way Of success. In the first place, COM
pleto possession Of the registration and
election machinery would be a prime
necessity. and this they may not receive
at the hands Of Gov Lea IN the appoint
ment Of the officers Of registration. With
the latter in their control, the Union Re-
publicans would no doubt run a large
number Of Maryland negroes into the
doubtful districts and depend upon their
votes for success, as there is no State cleo
tiOn in Maryland this year, and Eastern
Shore negroes can easily be spared to
Delaware for awhile
Complete Union Republican unity
would also be necessary TO the success Of
this scheme, and already there are indica-
tions Of revolt against what seems to be
an Addioks-Allee-Iayton combination to
bring about the desired result. Layton
has had 70 fight hard forhis Sussex county
teadership, and even harder fights are in
prospect. And should these factional
contests involve loss of votes to any con-
siderable extent, away 60 all hopes Of
nazing q clean sweep Of Sussex county.
Alice also has factional opposition in Kent
county, and he cannot hope to make that
county solidly Union Republican without
the support Of every Union Republican
vote.
Finally comes the all-important con-
sidention Of large fund for the purchase
OF votes The only hope for that fund
from present indications, reposes in Ad-
dicks. There are many Of his followers
who believe that he is yet wealthy enough
TO spend big money on elections. and they
look to him for their vote-buying funds.
And If their faith is well founded there
all be the usual flow Of money in Kent
and Sussex counties on election day for
the purchase Of votes
And here is where the work Of the anti
bribery movement, now in process Of for
nation, may check the schemes Of these
graceless political conspirators and bring
them to naught. No matter how large a
corruption fund may be advanced in sup
port OF the Addicks-Allee-Layto COM
bination, determined efforts by workers
in the anti-bribery movement can make
II practically impossible to use dollar of
the money in debauchiug voters BY
these efforts vote-buying may be made so
dangerous that none viii attempt it.
Through this righteous movement. there
fore, the buying Of Kent and Sussex ooun-
ties may be frustrated and the will Of the
people honestly expressed, be fully and
iairly recorded.