Evening journal., 1912-09-21


Moore in 1908, he could do it very nicely two years
later when he, Houston, was hopeful Of obtaining
Federal job a reward for playing straight with the
party Of which he professed be member. He failed
to get that Federal job for which he hungered. and
find him trying to deliver Delaware to the
Democrats
The private correspondence made public by Hous-
ton now in vain effort to bolster up and give standing
to his present alliance with the Democratic machine
consists of four letters all written early in September
1905 after the Republican State Convention by which
Davis nominated for Attorney-General and Moore
for State Treasurer. On September Houston wrote to
Heald obiectng 10 those nominations and ntimat-
ing that he intended to bolt them. In fact day or
two later he did bolt them. On September 2, 1905
General DUPONT who did got know Houston had boted
wrote this letter TO him:
September o 1908.
had expected to be here all this week but on ac-
count Of the West Va situation will have to go to
New York tonight
/ wanted to have a talk with you about the ticket
in general and ask for advice before active
campaign begins.
l will be in Wilmington Sat (sept 5th) and am
wondering If you will have anything TO bring you this
way next Saturday so could talk with you.
Won't you kindly drop me line in care az Repub-
lican National Headquarters No. any hour that
would suit you Saturday afternoon II you will be in
the neighborhood. With kindest regards, am,
'0' + C. dupont
To that letter Houston sent this reply;
Georgetown, Del, Sept. o, 1908
Wilmington Delaware
Dear sir
Your letter Of che second instant was duly received
and unable TO comply with your request,
hardly felt it necessary to bother with letter to
your New York address. Your phone message on Sat
urday from New York hardly clear, but I gath
cred from II that you would not be in Wilmington
that day. or you this know my position
to two of the nominees the Republican ticket,
and, OF course any interview intended to influence
change in my position would bo useless 7 regret to
o
the circumstances could do nothing else. and feel
satisfied that the members OF the bar throughout this
State, for whom you have the highest respect will
assure you that my position In regard 90 Davis is
tirely iustlfable am satisfied that became suf-
cently acquainted with the reputation OF Moore in his
contest for his present position. The Republican
party cannot afford present TO the people OF this
State such candidates with the party's endorsement,
ana the decent portion OF tnat party cannot ahord
to allow any other portion 10 demand and secure
the nomination Of such and tho the former
assume that position the better it will be for the
party In the future If we allow such nominations
these to pass unquestoned where VIII we stop? When
the party no longer commands the respect Of its mem
bers their allegience will not be very strong So that
u was much from sense Of duty to the best in
terest of party from sense OF duty to the state
that felt compelled to condemn such nominations
Tho rest Of the ticket has my unqualified endorsement
success Of that portion Of the ticket
Robt C. Houston.
Then this letter from General dupont to
Houston which reveals that the General did know
until he received the Houston letter. that Houston
had boted
Republican National Committee,
Madison Ave. New York City.
Georgetown. Del,
have your letter of September O. My interview
with you was with intention whatever Of infuenc-
ing your position; in fact when wrote and teephon-
ed you. did know what your position
think It entirely proper that you should take po
ston that you think is right
a
lawyer the courts throughout the State Of Delaware
have admitted this man to the bar and the courts
of Delaware have said that he was a lawyer The
is absolute tee-rotaler, and from what l hear
it must have been great effort for him 20 be tee
totaer; let at least give him credit for that He
nominated a convention that TO my mind
absolutely fair; at which every candidate was nomi-
mated in open convention at which every delegate
had the right TO speak his mind, and while stated
the floor OF the convention that thought Mr.. Hast
ngs would be stronger Attorney General l thought
in fairness to the whole State, Kent county should
have the right 10 name one office. The Governor
given TO Sussex; the Congressman to New Castle;
the Lieutenant-GoVernor 10 New castle New Cas-
tie wanted the Treasurer; New Castle wanted the
Auditors Sussex wanted the Treasurer; Sussex
wanted the Insurance Commissioner and got them
both. And il did not to me fair not to grant
Kent county the only place the ticket they asked
for.
have tried since being IN Delaware politics
though from New Castle county, 20 do what fair
for the two lower counties regardless of the fact that
In two counties there was less than half the popua-
ton Of New Castle county, and this is my reason in
giving Kent county the office and really the only Office
!
I think it is entirely proper that you stand Just as
firmly you for what you think is right and
think none the less Of you for It. ] know you we'll
enough to know you viii do what. in your Judgment
is right regardless OF who It hurts. and for this
have always admired you; and know you feel that
you talk perfectly frankly TO me-
am only sorry, however. that you thought for mo-
ment that wanted TO influence you change your po
sition because wanted to talk with you about doing
general newspaper work in connection with these
headquarters and the State OF Delaware They are
/ keeping pretty busy in New York now-six davs
! in week-hut hope to have the pleasure of see
| ing you when ! In Delaware.
Very truly yours
Coleman DUPONT
Certainly there is nothing in that letter Of which
General dupont need be ashamed The trouble is that
at that he doubtless thought Houston was actuaed
in his bolt by such high and lofty motive that II would
be useless to endeavor TO change him. and that pol-
cay Il would he we'll TO hold him in line for tho other
nnndidntns ON The Iickcf since then thnrn In. -.