Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1907-01-10
Caleb R. Layton Champions
Rights Of Kent and Sussex
in the Contest
RILL HOLD CAUCUS
TONIGHT OR TOMORROW
500 to rhe Evenlng 1ournal.

optcldA 10 Inc Evening JOunal.
DOVER. Jan. 1e-Ine biggest sensation
that has yet happened In the Senatorial
contest was the announcement made yes
terday afternoon that the Kent and sus-
sex Republican members of the Lesis a.
ture. who are favorable to their having
some say in the selection Of the next
United States Senator had decided 10
hold a conference or caucus and signed
a call or agreement to that effect. TneI
exact number to the call is not known,
but it is said by one in position 10 know
that already majority of the % raenibsr
have signed, and that there is not one
coward or welcher among them.
The purpose of the call or agreement isl
to get the Kent and Sussex members to-
gether in a conference and decide uponI
some plan Of action in making known
their choice for United States Senator.
Layton Leads Movement.
This movement, which is headed by
Caleb r. Layton. is understood to be in
the interests Of Senator Alice. DR.. lay
ton is known as one Of the most per-
sistent county rights" man in this part
Of the State. He contends that the EeVt
Senator belongs TO Kent or Sussex, let
the lower county members select whom
ever they may. Dr. Layton said tris
morning to an Evening Journal reporters:
''The fight I am making in this matter IS
not one primarily in the interests of SEN
ator Alice or any other man. AS q resi-
dent of Sussex county. / feel that The
nime has come when some definite, dis
tinct and clear understanding and policy
in the Republican party must be reached
as to the rights of Kent and SUSSEX as
against the always persistent and cum
ming efforts Of New Castle to dominate
our political affairs and deprive us Of the
rights and privileges that belong TO us as
a separate and distinct part OF the State.
1T seems to me a preposterous prJposi-
ton that thirteen members Of the Legis-
lature from New Castle county should say
IN a matter like this. where the Senator
IS conceded to Kent and Sussex that our
members shall not have the privilege Of
selecting the man. 1 contend that It docs
not make any difference whether sera-
tor Alice, Mr.. Richardson, Judge Penne-
will or any other man from Kent and Sus-
sex has a majority of the members. he
right Of our counties should be respected
and the man OF their choice should he
accepted by New Castle county. which al
ready has a Senator and the one OF its
choice.
1T seems that the friends OF Senator
DUPONT have forgotten how his election
was brought about. It was accomplished
only by recognition down here of the
fact that New Castle county was entl-led
to the seat vacated by ex-senator Bail,
and that enough Of the Kent and Sussex
members agreed to support the choice of
New Castle county. Had this not been
done, Colonel Henry A. dupont would not
be in the Senate to-day, and probably tho
Republicans would not have majority in
this Legislature. We We're then assured
that as we treated New Castle. we would.
when the time arrived for the election cf
another senator, be accorded by New
Castle. the same treatment and privileges.
The time for New Castle to make good
fits promises and assurances has arrived.
yet we find a disposition to forget the inn
portant events that led up to and made
Senator duPonts election possible.
Great Policy Involved.
This contest means more than the elec-
ton Of Senator. It means the future
policy Of New Castle county Republicans
in dealing with Kent and Sussex Repubi-
cans We have not and do not propose &c
interfere or mix up in their affairs, ard
they should not undertake to do so in
ours. It is a fact known to everybody in
the State, that New Castle county money
and influence nade its appearance in near
ly every r. Sentative district m Kent
and SusseN at the last primary. If the
people of Kent and Sussex do not stano
for their rights and privileges now in this
matter Of the election Of a Senator, there
is no telling what viii become of them
and the party in the future.
I am, perhaps. as well ACQUAINTED
with the sentiment of the people
IN the two lower counties as any
other man. and say that Il
the plan and manifest rights Of our
people are taken from us in this mat
ter. 1t means the beginning of another
struggle between Kent and Sussex and
New Castle, that may be more bitter
and more hurtful for the party than
the long factional war ended last year