Smyrna times., 1908-07-01
CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE
MAKE POLITICAL GOSSIP
STATE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
PROMISES TO BE INTERESTING

STATE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
PROMISES TO BE INTERESTING
Kent County to Put up Walter o. Hof-
fecker For Congress-PennewilI or
Lea For GoVernor--Burton's Fight
The formation of a new combine
within the ranks of the Republican
party for the purpose of endeavoring
to secure the denomination of Cover
nor Preston Lea, Congressman Hiram
R. Burton, and Insurance Commits
sioner George W. Marshall, and the
nomination for Attorney General of
Deputy Attorney-General Daniel o.
Hastings, was announced Saturday.
The fact that the Republican organi-
zatiOn, of which General T. Coleman
dupont is State chairman, is said to
be opposed to the selection of any of
these incumbents, is the cause for
the movement. 1t is the first
important development of the State
campaign. The plans have been in
process of consummation for some
time and they were effected a fort
night ago at meeting held in the
Office of Deputy Attorney-Gene
Hastings. The promoters are State
Senator George w. Sparks, nephew
of Governor Lea, and Edmund
Mitchell, Jr., both of Wilmington.
Click The Directing Head of Lea Boom
The combine has for its directing
head U. G. Click who was recently
dropped by the State Committee when
Representative Alden R. Benson,
of Dover, was elected as treasurer.
The primary reason for the movement
is the general understanding that the
Republican organization will support
ex-State Senator Simeon S. Pennewill,
of Greenwood, for Governor; William
H. Heald, of Wilmington, for Repre-
sentative in Congress, and Frank H.
Davis, of Dover, for Attorney-Gen
eral. What may be an adverse con-
dition in the new body is a statement
that the supporters of Governor Les
for denomination will, if the oppor
tunity shall offer, cast their lot will
Pennewill providing the latter will
come out for the Congressional nomi
nation. While it is authoritatively
declared that Pennewill will no
swerve from his Gubernatorial cam
paign, the report that the Lea follow
ers would support him for Congress!
illustrates that Burton would, in sucl
an event, be thrown over. 1t is sale
that ex-senator Alice and DIR. Calel
r. Layton, auditor in the State De
partment at Washington, who were
signally defeated at the last Republi
can primaries, have cast their 10
with the new combine in the hopt
that they will become rehabilitated
Kent County for w. o. Hofecker.
Prominent members of the Repub
lican organization announced Satur
day that the formation of the combin
would not cause any change in tn,
plans of the leaders for the prospec
tive State nominees. A recent an
nouncement by Chairman DUPONT tina
an agreement entered into four year
ago would be carried out, whereof
Sussex county will secure the Cover
nor and New Castle county the Con
gresham, at the 1908 election, is re
garded as being a definite basis fo
the selection of the nominees thi
year. This will accordingly mea
Pennewill for Governor and Heald fo
z Congress, with the other candidate
equally acceptable to the heads G
! the party. In the meantime Ker
, County Republicans are becomin
=, active and will endeavor to have tn
Congressman named from Kent. Hor
Walter o. Hoffecker, of Smyrna,
being prominently mentioned in thi
connection. If Mr.. Hoffecker obtain
the delegation, and there is ever
j probability he will, Kent County wi
demand recognition. From now o
until the Republican State Conver
tion, politics will be warm in Della
, ware.
DAcrnp EMNOIINrEpc A cEIINIi