Evening journal., 1907-12-14
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
THIRTY.sevENrH ARrlcLE.
By Washington Hastings

summer Of 1875 until the Convention Of 1882 when
peace or at least an armstice patched up for a
while. We seemed at times be, practically and es-
sentally two Republican parties; actually did
become few years ago. matter Of appeared
to be almost moral and physical impossibity to
feat the Democrats, with accord we al seemed
% pe determined 70 transform the party into Of
James Whtcomb Rileys 'Squdgcum--squees swa-
lers therseyes"
These Internal quarres and contentious were here in
Wilmington at least almost wholly the result OF con-
tests fer the election OF mayors city councimon ETC.
and the relation which these municipal held to
Nationa ana state politics; and of the
most horly contested of them eliminated the
tion of two Republican city Executive Committees IN
the summes of 1851; of committees the late
John g. Baker-a political foeman worthy of any mans
steel-was the chairman, and myself Of the other
After months of party strife and struggle the merits
or which, IA there were any, perhaps Of
precisely and after meetings and discussion
pondence of nnumerable quantity of but little inn
portance tho whole question at length submitted
back to the party at large for decision; which
been done months earlier would have saved an inn
mense deal of surplus vitality and surerauous air.
cannot better recall the incident which win perhaps
be interesting to some of readers than by repro
oneins mere "y ost letter on the subject which
cluded the controversy
TO the Republican Voters Of Wimlngton
untl the present we have steadfastly avoided aud-
led to the formation of two bodies Republicans each
claiming to be the city Executive Committee the party
me una mas now arrived however when further silence
upon this subject would be ourselves and result
In no benefit TO those most interested We therefore
sire 20 submit the ioowing statement Of facts TO the Re-
puhicans of this city information in view of the
election to be held on the tenth of this month";
Executive Committee for the ensuing year
IL has been the uniform OF the party for
many years to hold q meeting the first Saturday
June at some convenient place az which, time commit
tee is appointed TO nominate suggest names Of
persons in the several wards suitable as an
executive committee and willing as SUCH this
meeting then adjourna for week. and upon
ong the report Of the nominating committee is
e te EXECUTIVE committee for the ensuing chosen
This custom was observed usual this year. first
meeting being held in the Lincoln Club Room, on the
evening of saturday June and a committee appointed
as usual to nominate Executive this
year The meeting then adjourned for the week accord
ing to custom Upon the following Saturday evening an
hour before the time for the meeting to organize it
was round that most OF the seats in the had been
lied and under leadership object OF this proceed
ing was developed the instant the meeting was called
70 order il was then made evident meeting was
likely TO result ir mob and probably in a riot
Motions were made in rapid succession, hootng and
decision OF the chair The committee appointed 10 nomi
nate an Executive Committee found It impossible pre-
e1 epor' ana ater several unsuccessful attempts
TO proceed with because of the
notous and oisgraceiui conduct Of men who We're
pslelDS seie LOT that purpose motion was made to
adjourn the meeting for week This motion was
fairly put 70 the .meeting and adopted by almost
uieous vote large porton OF those present then
withdrew and subsequently, notice given through the
newspapers that the adjourned meeting would be held
whore there would be enough for an who chose
70 do so to assemble and act the report
That adjourned meeting was held ON the evening
ana az he place above mentioned; It was quiet order
~ ana senteei gathering of nearly four hundred Repub
leans, and who chose to participate
onoFs
nouth. Al that meeting this committee appointed
We, Of course, claim to be the only Republican city
eeule committee IN existence and deny positively the
Vas OF any oher body 70 that name or their authority
TO exercise the functions Of organization OF the party
Ihat meeting Of the party adopted resolution instruct
9 10 oioef an election by the people in
the several wards committee on the first Satur-
asy IN December or az such other time it might deem
eoNlsap'e ms resolution was passed for the purpose
Of changing the time Of choosing City Executive Com
mitee TO conform tho changing the time for hold
ing the city election and 70 place the authority OF the
eVnmlltee SO chosen beyond al question.
After the adjournment of the meeting the Lincoln
Club room before mentioned came to the knoyedse
Of this committee that another body.of Republicans had
met AMI elected another committee claimed to be
We committee OF the party Without shadow
Of doub TO the perfect regularity own commit
tee and consequently of the irregularty of the other
cohnee we decided for the sake OF settling all
tons OF that nature appeal that body set aside
an other considerations ana unite with upon per-
ecly af ana equitable basis In choosing the judges
hold an election for committee. whose authority
~ w eWV s9llnli1'ees mas peen made public and is
no doubt fresh In the minds of ALL refer with con-
hdence to our part in this correspondence and ask can
uu ana UuhIui men TO point out wherein Il is wanting
In fairness consideration the feelings rights Of
all concerned Our overtures have been in like
i' fhe p'ih,e OF houins an election was conceded by
the other committee but the time (February) was
entirely too late for the city campaign by the most
important part OF the work or the Executive Committee
being necessary TO be done before March first.
Their reply 10 our proposition was accompanied by
Cohuluohs Win reference TO the manner Of making the
returns Of such election such could not accept
without acknowledging the rreguarity organ
l-aon ana tne eguarly OF theirs which, Of course
were not willing do. Indeed. every effort Of ours 10
uHe aNout laH adjustment OF the oiiCutes without
humiliation Of either of the bodies been con-
teinp00ss spurned by Mr.. Bakers committee our OBJ
Jeeons 10 their propositions promptly fairly
stated i'm our communication Of October 81 and since
thep further communications have passed between
the two bodies except that subcommittee body
waited upon Mr Baker and failed elicit from that
gentleman official reply TO proposition but only
personal suggestion from himself which more
Jectionabie II anything than the resolution adopted by
his committee because II involved complete surrender
OF the trust conhded TO by the meeting which elected
Having then exhausted an the our disposal
70 satisfy the gentlemen who declare themselves
ecutve Committee of the have proceeded carry
out the instructions OF the meeting we de-
rive our authority, and the tenth OF December this
committee ceases TO exist and tdevoves upon party
70 select for itself under fair rules spirit equity
and Justice new committee which ought command the
undivided respect and cooperation Of the whole.
therefore call ell Republicans value the success
OF the party more than the OF a faction be
present az Lno polls on Lne day namod ana Lhan and