Evening journal., 1908-01-04
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
FoRTY.sEcoNp ARTICLE.
By Washington Hastings


Looking beck over my political career-"side line"
would perhaps be better designation think l must
art for certainly succeeded admirably in accomplish
ing that end several different Notably this
was the case in the instance Of the United States Judge
ship controversy That appointment was an unpopular
one and strongly dsapproved by almost the whole Of
the Republican party in Wilmington and by in
other localities in the State any personal ami
mostly or oppost on to the appontee who was Of
the most accomplished and admirable of men and
ingly popular with al--in addition to being fit
~ every respect for the poston-but because he was
the only Republican Judge then remaining the bench
of this State and his retiring this promotion the
vacancy would inevitably be filled by a Democrat thus
Democratic in politics. This was thought by many
especially by active party mento be little less
public calamity inasmuch the colored voters OF the
~ Sae WY hao only recently come INTO possession of
the franchise would then be left entirely without pro-
lection IN the State courts
This objection however, while may have seemed to
be well grounded and valid TO the ignorant or
poory-nformed men, must have been known by nteli-
sen people 10 De inadequate and insincere; because
in the first place of illegal voting etc. election
cases as they were called, had been before
our Se courts Tor hearing or for trial but invariably
before the United States courts and in the place
II they had been. everybody knewor could known
ney had looked at the record Of our judiciary of the
past-tha all cases taken before State judges would
be tried by the law and the evidence produced by
party aHations or partisan preiudces or public clamor
This state has many political sins 20 for and
some OF them We have been punished already may
pc further disciplined for hereafter but corrupt and
Nenai Judiciary is not of them, been in
the past and does not appear likely be the
NeVefheess valid or invalid sincere or insincere, the
objection to this appointment appeared deepseated
nunciation OF course in for a good share of il;
SO muoh so that as on former OCCASION about came
to the conclusion that, a politician l a sue
cess and that / had better retire and make way for
others more suitably equipped both mentally and
sututicnaly for that occupation.
So tie time for the election of delegates TO the
state Convention of 1884 which to elect delegates
TO the National Convention of that year approached
said to few political friends to whom usually indicated
my desire 70 be sent as delegate TO conventions and
so forth. that thought would conven-
ton as was getting little tired Of politics party
was setuhs niue tired OF me- did not know which
AS this determination became generally known 1
began to hear at first faint whisper then pro-
hounced hmauon and then the broad public assertion
that the real reason why did wish go to the con-
vention as delegate because knew that / couldn't
go a the party was tired OF me in the front on the
firing line and had sent me to the TO take place
in the ambulance corps among the -combatants-or
words TO that effect At first did not mind this idle
gossip much but after while il grew be wearisome
and at last notwithstanding good advice which
so frequently received at home such subjects and
seldom took concluded that would about IT," and
In this Investigation consulted, old friend the late
Lew q Bird who was himself under the ban" for the
part which he took in the miserable judgeshp fight
il did not take longas all who knew him need be
told-for Levi TO conclude that would together in
vestgate and If could solve that interesting little
problem. It then mischief thou afootl" and we
started IN TO &c to that convention and got there"
We not only got there ourselves but political
friends and allies elected all of the delegates VIII
mngton except three, together with goodly number
from rural New Castle county, and them with u.s.
and IL wasn't half difficult enterprise as had fire.
quently undertaken before
It is needless that the was interest
ing All such gatherings the Republican party were
interesting in those days them vehemently
and exasperatingly great many things were said
that would better have been unsaidexcept as they
gave aid and comfort the enemy"-and much that
perhaps might have been said with profit forgotten
but out of the heat the turmoil and the strife and
the tearing passion to tatters," summer day
we all 1t last emerged with whole skins cool
Dover Green, peaceful serene and calm And l. who a
few weeks before had thought that "out politics
for good found myself elected large to
the Republican Natiopal Convention which had been
n a In
stead OF being cut into the political whirlpool as
deep
bitten BY Il though he may live years feel no
particular l-effects, when he dies his death will be
result OF that bitethat the virus will always remain in
his system and he will get IL. I have some
times thought that similar effect is produced
gets stung by political bee in his bonnet" but
more mature reflection and a somewhat turbulent ex-
perience has led to believe that will ultimately
from this latter afiiction If doesn't die OF
something else too soon.
Cro be continued)