Evening journal., 1907-02-20
Wednesday, February 20, 1907.
RUNNING BY THE DANGER sIGNALi

RUNNING BY THE DANGER SIGNALl
TTPON the future success OF the Republican
~ party in Delaware the conduct OF the
present Legislature has great bearing. The Re
publicans control the General Assembly by a
large majority The citizens OF the State voted
heavily confidence in the party last November
The long career of Democratic domination In
Delaware so disgusted the people Of the State
that the Democrats were routed from power and
the Republicans were called to assume control.
The Democrats since their defeat have never
been able to put before the voters a program to
inspire success or to lead the people to believe
that it would be for the best interests of Della
ware to recall the Democrats to the management
OF State affairs
The question that concerns Republicans is
whether the General Assembly now in session
will make a record that will be pleasing to the
people Never had party in any State through
sheer merit, better opportunity to retain the
good will Of the voters than has the Republican
party in this State at this time. In some re-
spects a parallel case is furnished by our neigh
boring State OF New Jersey For many years
the Democrats ruled New Jersey. All attempts
to dislodge them from authority were futile
Drunken with their own power and thinking the
people would endure the wrongs the Democrats
conducted the affairs Of the State in such man
ner that the voters revolted and New Jersey went
Republican by an overwhelming majority. But
no sooner had the Republican party become
firmly intrenched in New Jersey than selfish and
rordid interests personal ambitions and corpora
ton tactics began TO seize hold Of the party.
This was followed by another revolt and a bat
tie within the party against these interests that
were embodied in Senator Dryden The latter,
a successful business man. was so allied with
personal interests that he was Overwhelmingly
repudiated at the polls of his home county and
the State came near returning to the Democratic
fold. And this was even after many reforms
had been accomplished by the New Jersey Leg
isature under Republican control.
The question now is whether the Republicans
OF Delaware as represented in the Legislature
arc TO surrender to the same interests that al
most wrecked the party in New Jersey. No sen
sible man will admit that the sessions of our
Legislature SO far have been credtable. Nothing
has been done worthy Of note. If anything is to
be accomplished 1t must be in the rush of the
closing hours unless the members at once be-
come busy and bring order out Of legislative
chaos. There is a suspicion that the Senate is
really under the thumb of clique OF corporation
agents. The latter know no politics and the
Democratic members are ensnared in their
meshes as strongly as are the Republicans But
the Republicans being in the majority must be
held responsible for the final results
The Republican party must keep its pledges.
It must settle definitely the local option question.
This does not mean that the party is bound to
prohibition, but it is committed to the broad
principle that the people have right to vote on
this subject and tlaAis euly democratic doctrine
and practice. No one can reasonably object
to it.
The Legislature must keep faith with the peo-
pie regarding taxation plans and suggestions In
the most populous and richest district OF the
State which is also the strongest Republican
this question was fought out at the Republican
primaries. The man who stood for the people
won, and bills representing the voice Of the peo
pie in this notable Republican district have beer
introduced by him in the House and must be
considered. They embody in one way or an
other the live, vital questions Of the day; they
are in the spirit Of the Roosevelt square deal anc
are right and just.
SO. too City Council, representing the peopl,
Of Wilmington, has taken up this question with
put regard to party and it will send bill tc
Dover embodying its views. The Republican.
Af the legislature must give this measure eatiest