Evening journal., 1907-02-20
Wednesday, February 20, 1907.
RUNNING BY THE DANGER s1oNALl

RUNNING BY THE DANGER SIGNAL!
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 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
oi State affairs.
The question that concerns Republicans is
whether the General Assembly now in session
will make 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 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 a 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
sordd 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 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
siature under Republican control.
The question now is whether the Republicans
of Delaware as represented in the Legislature
are 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 creditable Nothing
has been done worthy OF note. If anything is to
he accomplished it 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
IcdilN ulNtI lnC lNuUD OF a NlQut OF corporation
agents. The latel 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 tiakis sruly 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 II
the most populous and richest district Of tn,
State, which is, also the strongest Republican
this question was fought out at the Republican
primaries. The man who stood for the peopi,
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 b,
considered. They embody in one way or an
other the live, vital questions OF the day the,
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 viii send bill tc
Dover embodying IFS views. The Republican.
1T the Legislature must give this measure earnes