Evening journal., 1908-11-05
Thursday, November 5, 1908
THE DEFEAT OF MR.. DAVIS.

It HE most impressive lesson in the result Of
~ the election in Delaware is the evident fact
that there is considerable independent vote in
this State, which rises TO make itself seen when
ever it thinks the occasion warrants. There is
use in attempting TO disguise this fact. and It
may be accepted as a further truth that this in
dependent vote is likely to increase as time goes
Party leaders and workers will therefore have
TO govern themselves accordingly They must
recognize plain condition that many voters in
this State viii not hereafter support candidates
simply because they arc stamped with the party
label
There was an astonishing amount OF indcpend-
ent voting in Delaware on Tuesday. That nor
NAL large Republican majority could be SO easily
overturned and converted into a large opposition
majority as was done in the election of MIR Gray
terrific blow to party leaders which must
make them rub their eyes in wonder.
There is much personal sympathy for Mr.
Davis. the defeated Republican candidate for at
torney- general He was, according TO our judg-
ment. victim of circumstances. The nomination
for Encouragement came TO him. as he stated in
the convention, unsolicited. lie did not desire it.
lad he been placed on the ticket for some other
position he would have been chosen and the Re
publioans would not have lost the election Of an
attorney general. But the Dovcc leaders who
knew nothing about New Castle county appar-
entity. and whose counsel was most unwisc and
foolish demanded the nomination of Mr. Davis.
Once on the ticket he was assailed most bitterly.
There was nothing for him to do but to stay on
the ticket and take the chances of defeat
He did not expect defeat, because he was as
sured by persons here who did not understand
conditions that ne would pull through" at any
rate. But the position assumed by the members
OF the bar in this city made the election of Mr..
Davis extremely doubtful from the beginning.
The lawyers have much influence in a community
and people will listen to them when they speak
upon question, especially when that question
concerns their own profession. Then, again, the
action of the State committee in breaking up the
independent ticket, though it was thought to be
the only proper course. undoubtedly lost the
party votes. Altogether Mr.. Davis occupied a
most unenviable position during the campaign, a
position we thoroughly believe that he did not
court. but which was thrust upon him BY a few
men in Dover, who turned deaf ears to the warn
ing given by Mr. Merritt ~ Ms'siis and others IN
county thoroughly. The defiant attitude of these
men. aided by few in New Castle county, met
with rebuke at the polls
AIR. Davis has however. maniully accepted de-
feat lie did the best he could do in the crcuni-
stances. and it is far from our intention TO add
word to the keenncss OF the disappointment hS
must feel lie was. through false counsels and
desire TO please his friends and abide by tlcii
wishes. placed in position that subjected him .c
the most unpleasant sort OF attack During tn,
campaign, on the whole. he conducted hmse
well, made hard fight against combination o.
adverse circumstances, and that was all that coul,
be expected Of him.