Evening journal., 1910-03-21
MONDAY, MARCH 2IIeIO
POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

TX EVIEWING the political situation in
~ Delaware, the Mddetown Transcript
thinks that it is about time the Republican
captains were "bestirring themselves in arrang-
ing for the next state campaign,as our opponents
have been doing for some time
True the Democrats have been active Tor a
few weeks and they are preparing for a battle
royal of the factions. That the fight among
them will be bitter maybe taken from the way
in which our neighbor down the street has
opened its batteries upon unnamed Demo-
crat who it thinks will again be candidate tor
Senator. And in all parts of the state the old
factiona lines are being tightly drawn. Should
the Democrats secure control OF the legislature,
II their present talk amounts to anything there
would probably be a deadlock. 1t looks at pres
ent in the event of Democratic success, as If
dark horse, some one who is not bothering about
the nomination Of Legislative candidates, would
stand the best chance of election. All this
should stir the Republicans to action, as the
Transcript says.
Nationally the Transcript does not think the
outlook for Republican success is very bright.
BUT it is a long time before the next election and
the Republicans have a way of gathering them
selves together when the test comes. OF Della
ware our Middletown contemporary speaks with
more confidence when it says that despite con
ditions elsewhere, those in this state are every
way favorable to Republican rule Our partys
record for the past ten years has been an excep-
tionally fine one. The various state Offices have
been effectively and honestly administered An
orderly business-ke system has everywhere
supplanted the loose hap-hazard methods in
vogue under the Democratic regime State fl
nances were never In so excellent condition, nor
did the treasurer's books ever show larger
balance on the credit side of the states ledger.
And all this despite the howling of those who
say the Republicans have banlSrupted the state
The outward conditions, therefore, as the Trans
cript adds. all favorable to Republican
cess but that success is put up to the leaders OF
the party.
The Transcript reviews the growth Of the In
dependent vote in Delaware fact that at the
last election astounded politicians. Never before,
we think, was there 50 much independent voting
and citizens having once broken away from
party lines will not hesitate TO cut their tickets
again If they dispeased with the candidates.
The lesson of the last election is obvious The
test was made then. The advice Of some of the
down state leaders who thought that any kind
of ticket would win was listened to and the
result was disastrous. The Republican ticket
was slashed from top to bottom. Such queer
election returns were new in Delaware. 1t was,
as the Transcript says, a dose OF pretty sharp
medicine And 1t dose that should not
be again invited
The only thing to be done, therefore. IS for
the party leaders to see that the mistakes of the
past shall not be repeated. Good candidates
should be nominated for the legislature and for
every other position. The time has gone when
any old ticket can win. The people are watch
ing with jealous eye political matters and are
demanding clean politics. 1t is therefore up to-
the Republicans. the progressive party to see
that strong candidates are named. that men who
will command the full vote of the party and gain
that of the Independents shall be nominated
return of the Democrats to power would
mean a set back all around. The conservative
wing OF the Democratic party is in the ascend
cncy in the affairs of that party and victory 70,
the Democrats would mean a return to the old
Democratic days and the enactment of laws hav-
ing in mind merely partisan advantage This
be avoided if the Republican leaders show
better judgment than they displayed during the
last campaign.