Evening journal., 1907-11-23
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
TAlRrY.FlRsr ARTICLE.
By Washington Hastings

THIRTY First ARTICLE.
The State convention that 1 ever attended as
delegates was that Of lsI4 although had attended
eral previous 20 that locker "curbstone
delegate as visitors who less active in
politics and were in conventions but Of them.
usually called Some OF the foremost and most active
and influential men In the Republican party in the state
we're members Of that body and the proceedings Of the
convention and the scenes enacted the floor TO
me very interesting and instructive Indeed think they
would have been to any one who present for the
nrst time at such gathering; for, sometimes they were
graphcl
There william C. spruancc. younger then than
now and more 6eryhough he does lack that quality
now upon occason--in the thckest Of the Of
argument and debate fierce as a Roman soldier and
handsome the way he strobe up and down the
ton hall hurling defiance his opponents right
during the playing for position" and advantage in the
preliminary proceedings, was caution to any who
got IN his way. And Nathaniel B. smithers "Nob.est
Roman OF them all" as he called, emphatic pre-
else OF language polite delightful of manner
analytical 10 the last degree controversy knowing
party and s rules and precedents by book
he had helped 20 make them able sharper with
dul knife than any man / listened TO- it
sight for gods and men to he and Spruance ptted
against each other IN debate each finding the
other foeman worthy Of his steel And George r. Fisher
large OF stature of commanding mein handsome of feat
ure with his ample shock OF curling gray the
little torso" nesting his forehead, conciatory
everything and to everybody he well deserved the
dction blessed the peacemakers" And Anthony
Higgins, young alert always up dressed ready
for tho battle the charge from quarter
might when he the noor-which was often
the convention lively the interest never
tagged. And James r. Lohand well groomed and
handsomely attrcd with his white waistcoat and bril-
Numbered defiance and denunciaton at the "Cabal'
from wilmington for their unfairnoss ana ohican-
cry he seemed TO be trying make the aforesaid "Caba
hang their heads IN confusioniust litte but
only seemingly so for he didn't moan word of n and they
knew H. And Levi c. Bird prince of good fellows, be-
loved for qualities OF head by all but feared
by many when he appeared IN all parts of the hall almost
al the same minute gestcuating threateningly and
manding vehemeptly that the rights and Sussex
should be respected and their delegations accorded fair
play he terrible all except those who knew him
right wello them he the same old Levi gentle and
harmless as a sucking dove" And George V Massey
lie In who ha rosa
with due solemnity and dignity address his fellow
slowly to its full altitude every one almost stopped
And "here were others" but these were the pictures
que figures Of the conventions and they were also to
large extent though not entirely the brains IT, and
they contributed largely 10 he nanaqor,ont and dirti
Of its business and TO the subsequent we'll being
party For however great apparently the animosty
and contention at the begnping before the close all diff
ferences OF opinion and sentiment composed and
good Fellowship harmony and brothery kindness the
political variety at least prevailed How few Of this
very few are '1n politics today Most Of them have
gone to their long resting place and the taking
their politics easily quite willing to be rated as back
numbers or has beens but Ellen Terry says. 1T
better to be has been than to be a wuzzer."
AS has been said, this my first attendance at a
Republican State Convention delegate and the pro-
eeedngs excited admiration and interested greatly
on whom the time came and to serve" unimport-
ant committee was youngster' and my proper place
was quotness and tranquility; and tried observe
maintain IT, perhaps the youngest Of the
younger in years but much older in political experience
remember how wished that could take active part
In the proceedings but didn't know how; newly
In that particular branch Of the business thought
IL prudent to abide my time and learn; and per-
haps my time for activity the convention line poll
tics might come later
Or Isaac Jump. a prominent and influential Republi-
Of Kent county the successful
nomination for Governor before that convention the
day after II adjourned II he read the proceedings
newspapers ] ne knew more about himself pro
and than he did before The subsequent cam
pagn spirited and ably conducted all State
cess and elect the ticket but after the
on the night Of election day it Jump
and the rest on the ticket defeated; and
was that the Republicans didn't have enough the
state was Democratic TO the backbonel
II Is said that when young animal once gets taste
OF blood II thereafter becomes have
gotten that taste for long before myself
nllcd with ambition to represent my party as "a dele
gate TO the approaching National Convention Cncn-
natl MY political friends persuaded" go into the
and make the fight; (hat way 1t is always
done everybody knows; politician ever runs for
office or position Of his votion and accord; he
always SOLICITED" by his friends TO do D and yielded"
20 these solicitations persuasons and did IT, like the
rest do; and defeated i thought time that
there were various reasons for this, but now
that tho principal reason for my defeat the old and
potent onenamely that I didn't get enough votes
at the election for delegates There may possibly have
been other reasons large majority OF the Republicans
OF the state favorable not say enthusiastic for
Mr. Blaine, and Blaine man. but pronounced
IN opposition to him. And then again. my detection and
escapade IN the municipal campaign OF "a may have
been forgotten and the recollection Of Il not entirely faded
and again political friends may thought that
had better lay In the pickle while they could
better judge whether could trusted to stand
without hitchng" in tho future
After careful thought dcliberaon however
20 tho conclusion that lack Of the prln-
epa II not the only reason for my remaining at home
(To be continued)