Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1908-02-19
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
FlFTY.FIFTH ARTIcLE.
By Washington Hastings

Assembly If the whole Of the legislature had been
elected that year the Republicans would have secured
worldrg majority Of the body for all legislative pur-
poses, but owing to the Democratic "hold-over sena
in county this consummation devoutly to be wish
ed" was again prevented
The Republicans, however were rejoiced and very
thankful what they had been able TO accomplish;
to do g. however, required the laying aside temporarily
for future use Of ali factonai disputes and discussions
the marshang the whole force in united and
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. however much divided and disrupted
his ranks may been between times, always came
up smiling and united when election day came around
The division led and dominated by Mr. Addicks-by
this time comprising nearly If not quite one-haf of
the whole Republican army in the Sate-contributed its
full share of effort towards the victory and and
received. on ali hands, its due need Of praise and
commendatinn-in all of which it's leader shared.
MOI because n large and influential portion OF the
party had consider his political methods abso-
the parry AS destructive of its very existence
they did stll continue regard his
and absurd candidacy for the senatorshp with rd
cue ana contempt but because in this election his
forts and those OF his following had been earnest sim
and effective; and not his part at least had
been on his first appearance in Delaware politics 1885,
a sham and false pretence
Joshua Marvel a sincere Republican Of
the OLD school, elected Governor and assumed the
duties his early large proportion
of the state officials were at that time appointve
not elected by the people, is properly the
case, tie patronage at the disposal of Governor was
a matter OF considerable Importance; as it was consid-
cred-and it was, TO large extent-the ground
and control i'm the state thereafter TO be built; besides
exercising immense influence in the selection of an United
States TO succeed Anthony Higgins whose term
OF Office was TO expire the following year.
And so from every human aspect and point Of view
the Republican outlook was propitous and the party
skies bright But alas for the vanity of human
wishes and hcpesl
two little months' after his Inauguration Joshua
Marvel quilted the scenes and the struggles of long
and useful private life, and the turmoil and vexation
and controversy Of political actvity-f OF these
ever crossed hs peaceful pah-and passed on TO render
account OF his stewardship before higher juster
and gracious and benehcent tribunal than that
within the jurisdiction of political party in Della
ware or elsewhere.
And thus, apparently, shattered and went to
pieces, faded away like beautiful dream castle
in the air. all the fond hopes and bright antcpatons Of
political and preferment which recently hoated
before the vision oheered the heart and shone upon the
pathway of the Republican party in this Democrat
-for that relic of barbarsm" of the election Of 1892
the "hold-ov Democratic contingent promptly pro-
duced its speaker the Senate, Mr. William T. Watson
who became Governor. under the law;-and there
It somewhat Of a staggering blow but we bowed
sntten MS the hand OF Him who doeth all things WE'LL.
did not prove TO be fact) that If the Democrats mad
| one mere Governor they had less member of the
legislature but when the proper time and the
critical and pivota moment arrived IL turned out that
by simple "holus poSus" twist Of the wrist"
one might say the Democrats possessed in Mr. Watson
not only governor but q member Of the legislature as
well;-both embodied in one man. acting at the same
time and on the now you see it and now you don't
IT. principle
Promptly upon the assembling and organization for
business Of the legislature the the
of United states senator began and the baotng joint
session continued daily at for three months Anthony
Higgins was course candidate for reelection ana
was regarded by his friends the natural and logical
candidates as he had filled the high position ably
credit OF the State he represented and the marty
which had elected him six years before. But his COM
pettors for the prize various and manifold and
among them of course was MIR Addicls who bnd long
since announced his standing candidacy for the
coupled with various threats Of the dire things
the Republican party Of Delaware in case il failed
to elect him As Mr. Addleis controlled four Republican
votes in the legislature and had announced that
be AddcK or nobody and as the vote of one of those
/ vote red
to elect and they all seemed determined stick per-
sisteny 10 their first choice and as the other fourteen
republicans considering that between Addicks or no
body, nobody was the better man, refused TO
Addicks the famous infamous-just as you choose
deadlock of 1895 on; continued on until the end
OF the session when nobody" was finally elected.
During the long and disgusting contest various schemes
and contrivanees We're proposed for the purpose Of
breaking the deadlock and erecting an election OF a sem
last some wiso-acres among the Republican leaders"
/ proposed the name of Col. Henry A. DUPONT a very
wealthy man, who it urged, could match Addcls
financially" but who 10 his credit be it said. never,
Tar as / was ever informed employed any dishonor
| able or unworthy methods to promote further his
political aspirations though he abundanty able to
match" financially several times over If he
had desired 90 40
This Mr. DuPonts first appearance on the stage
OF Republican politics the capacity OF one of the Lead
ing actors in the play. lie had previously known
as an independent voter with Republican incnations.
having declined TO vote for General Grant also
Mr. Blaine though it has been denied that he voted
for Mr. Cleveland In the difficulties and exigeneies
the situation, however, and being OF highest
persona respectabty the proposition to break
the deadlock with him the candidate Of the anti
Addcks contingent favorably and adopted;
Mr. Higgins recognizing the necessity of election
and unwilling 70 occupy the attitude of dog in the
manger stepped aside and asked his friends 10 vote for
| Mr. DUPONT But 1t failed to work out the one
Addicks man necessary to make the fifteen
qulsite choice failed 70 bite at that bait atrac-
tive as IL appeared to be.
And so the eight went on until the time by joint
flr hnal adjournment of the legislature was
only tw,nty-touI hours away. Then, when the stua-
tior was at fever heat the Heretofore nvncble
Addicls supporters announced that he was ready 10
vote for Mr. Higgins provided the anti-Addcks men
would join him and eeot that gentleman Quick light
ming the shifted everybody said Higgins has
got his fifteen votes and will be the man."
'hen, sudden and unexpected thunder storm in
the dead Of winter the again shifted
ana the play, which before had partaken somewhat OF
the nature Of comedy almost assumed the appearance
tragedy and the sincerity the professions
OF political hostility to Mr. Addcks by the Democrats