Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-23
FaotIon EIgnt In suaaex.

FaNNon FiknL IN oAeseNs
An interesting iactional fight is ex-
peoted at Georgetown, Sussex county,
this afternoon, when the Union Republi-
can County Committee will meet in special
session for the sole purpose of deposing
of state Joseph L. Cahall from
the chairmanship-either by his forced
resignation or violent removal-and ele-
waiting Dr. Caleb Rodney Layton to the
succession. This is the programme laid
down by the latter, who essays to be the
leader OF the Union Republican organiza-
tion in Sussex county, and has adopted
this plan Of making the world "and all the
rest Of mankind" aware OF the fact.
All the predictions have been to the
effect that DR.. Layton would win this
fight easily. and there is no reason TO doubt
them. II they should prove to be untrue,
however, a great many people would be
tremendously surprised, and none more
so than DR.. Layton.
But the probable consequences of this
expected Layton triumph are perplexing
those who judge political situations from
cause and effect, particularly the latter.
DIR. Layton's elevation will afford pleasure
to Senator Alice because the two are work.
ing together in harmony. Alice stands by
Layton for the purpose of benehting by
the latters undoubted power among the
Sussex Union Republicans. Layton
stands by Alice because the latter has It
in his power TO give him very lucrative
Federal Office. And Layton dearly loves
an Office that carries a good salary along
with t. On the other hand, Layton is
backed by all the influence Of J. Edward
AddiclSs, who is presumed TO be the deadly
enemy of Senator Alice Now, whatever
political benefit may accrue TO Layton's
triumph cannot work 70 the advantage Of
both Addiclls and Alice One is bound
to suffer by it. Therefore, either AddiclSs
or Alice is being fooled by Layton, and
which is TO be the victim will not be di-
vulged until later possibly not until
Layton has his hands securely on the
Office which Alice has in reserve for him
Then he may declare himself as between
Addicks and Alice.
The situation has resulted in a decided
division Of the Union Republican leaders
Men Of political prominence and influence,
such as Thomas Curry Of Greenwood and
State Senator Simeon s. Pennewill-
staunch Addicks supporters are lined
up against Layton and in favor Of Cahall.
They do this, they say, because they are
in favor of Addiclss and against Alice.
And yet AddiclSs pins his faith to Layton,
thereby giving countenance and support
to his bitter enemy, Alice.
No one ever saw such a political situa-
tion in Delaware before. DR.. Layton is
the deep and unfathomable mystery. How
can he retain the good feelings of both
Alice and Addicks-which he has done TO
the extent that both are supporting him
in his fight for the committee chairman
ships what puzzles so many. That he
will have to throw down one or the other
eventually is assured, unless tho rupture
between Addicks and Alice is only pre-
tence, having as an ulterior object the
triumph of both by their election to the
two Senatorial vacancies by the next
Legislature. If they are really fighting
each other, then the time will come when
Layton will be compelled to show his hand
and give undivided support to one or the
other.
Never was there seen in Delaware an.
other man who could "serve two masters
as DR.. Layton is doing now. Some pre-
dict that the parting Of the ways" will
not come until after Layton becomes
firmly installed in the rich Federal ofic,
he expects at the hands Of Senator Alice
after which, many believe, he will be a.
liable TO turn upon Alice and rend him az
to join the latter in putting the boot tc
AddicSs
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