Smyrna times., 1906-11-14
POLITICAL GOSSIP OF THE WEEK.
Story Regarding Delaware's United States
) Senatorship Which Has Been Denied.

time during the session of the Della
ware Legisla ture early next year, in
order that 7. Coleman DUPONT can be
elected to the Senate, along with some
down State Republican as his collea-
que. While there is nothing definite
about this rumored move being made,
nevertheless it is being dicussed rather
seriously in certain quarters, and t
would not surprise some friends of
Senator DUPONT or L. Coleman Du-
Pont if the former should lay aside the
senatorial honor thrust upon him
while he was recuperating in Europe
Senator DUPONT was in Paris when the
Delaware Legislature brought to an
end the eleven years factional fight
that had rent the Republican party by
meeting In special session and electing
him to the Senate. Not word was
heard from Colonel Dupont about the
honor conferred upon him until he re-
turned to his home near Wilmington.
Naturally he was pleased that the SEN
atorahip should have been given to
him by the joint action of the Regular
and Union Republicans, but 1t is said
that he expressed a reluctance to re-
main in the Senate and even talked of
resignlng the senatorship before he
had been sworn in. He has not been
sworn III yet, as matter of fact, but
expects to be next month. 1t also was
said at the time that Colonel Dupont
would have been perfectly satisfied if
the senatcrship had been given to L.
Coleman DUPONT instead of to himself.
This Would Mean Election Of Two Senators.
Should it happen that Senator Du-
Pont does resign, an interesting situa-
ton would be brought about by that
contingency. The Republicans con
troll the next Legislature with thirty
SIX votes in joint session to sixteen
votes of the Democrats United States
Senator j. Frank Allee's term expires
in March next, and his successor will
have to be elected for a term of six
years. Senator Dupont will have four
years to serve from March next, and if
he should retire during the session of
the Legislature it would neccessitate
the election of a Senator for a long
term and Senator for the short term.
This would leave the way clear for the
election of L. Coleman Dupont for the
| six-year term as Senrtor Allee's sue
cessor, and would throw the fight for
the down-State senatorship for the
| four-year term between Senator Alice,
Judge James Pen newi1 and Harry A.
Richardson, all of Dover, as it is con-
coded that Kent County is to have the
down-State Senator, as Sussex has
Congressman Burton and New Castle
a Senator. Of course, these are mere
possibilities as the political situation
now exists, but some observers of the
situation would not be surprised if con.
difions should shape themselves as
outlined before February next. Should
Senator Dupont resign when the Leg
islature is not in session Governor Lea
would have the appointing of his sue
cessor, but his resignation when the
Legislature is in session would throw
the election of Senator into the Leg.
islature itself.
Alles's Chance For Re- election Not So Bright
! An upstate view of the senatorial
situation now is not the most favorabl,
that could be imagined for Senator AL
lee getting another term. Senator
Alice and his friends control the Ken
County caucus, they being conceded
eight out of the eleven Republican
members of the Legislature from that
county. Just how many they will have
of the twelve Sussex County Republi-
can Assembly is not known. 1t will
take nineteen votes to control the Re
publican caucus, aud Senator Alice
will have to get nearly all the Suisse.
County Republicans to win out, as til
Republican here do not concede hir
more than one New Castle Couut
man. The New Castle Comfy Repub
licans, for some reason or other, d.
not take enthusiastically to Senate
Allee's candidacy for another term
but are divided IN their support be
tween Judge Pennewill and Harry A
Richardson. After all, the preference
of the DuPonts and the New Castl
County leaders may determine tn
down-State senatorahip. Unless tn
situation changes materially, the onl
hope of Senator Alice gaining a secon
term is that he may be able to confin
the nomination of Senator to
caucus of the Kent and Sussex mem
bers, from which New Castle Count
members shall be excluded. In tbs
event he could win the nominatio