Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1915-04-05
n Another Change Imminent?

The experience Oh tnt ANepuDhNdh paw |
of Delaware has been that of heavy |
reverses and splendid political victories
the former when the party organization
was inharmonious, divided and ineifec-
tive, the latter when the party organiza-
ton was one worthy TO be spelled with
capital O. Also, when this Organization
was backed by campaign fund of ample
proportions, which assured the effective
meeting Of all campaign emergencies,
and corruption fund Of sufficient size
to permit Of the wholesale buying Of votes,
even at such extravagant average rates
of $40 per vote 10 white men and So per
vote to negroes. Sworn testimony is at
hand to prove that these rates were paid
at one district at the election held in
1904.
For many years Republican divisions,
due mainly to degrading fights over the
spoils of Federal Office, made the Republi-
can party the minority party in Della
ware. even at times when Democratic
conditions were not altogether conducive
to success. Even in Wilmington the party
wns beaten at elections oftener than
successful. And so the situation continued
until Addicks appeared and entered upon
his campaign of notorious corruption and
vote buying, in a desperate effort to pur-
chase a seat in the United States Senate.
Addicks' campaign Of corruption did
not prove successful, as there was a
determined Republican minority which
thwarted his efforts until at last his in
ability to continue his lavish contribu-
tions of corruption money drove him
from the field, his purchased followers
having no further use for him and not the
remotest sense of gratitude for the
financial and other favors he had so
generously bestowed upon them. But
Addiclxs' operations had inspired other
rich aspirants to political power and
official honor, aud no sooner was he "down
and out" by reason of poverty than
another party organization, founded on
corruption money, was formed. IL was
the Organization, with a capital o, and
how it has controlled the destinies Of the
Republican party, and won for it an al
most unbroken series of victories, is
known TO all our people. The Organiza'
ton, from the day it was formed, has beer
the entire Republican party, debating it
policies, nominating its candidates anC
winning it's victories by means of vot'
buying with the exception of single
campaign, when it won through Demo
cratic dissensions--from that day to thu
present time. Never was there politica
organization that worked more smooth,
or effectively, or was more generousl,
supplied with money for all purposes
especially for the criminal practice o
buying votes.
But this year a remarkable change j
in evidence. The head and front of tn
Organization, its leader and dictator
has been away from the State for severa
1onths, and apparently is leaving tn
-ection OF the Organization-if th
anization still exists--or the contrC
direction Of the party, otherwis,
those who had been his underline
ng the days of his potent reign. An
1derlings seem to be making sa
things. On the eve OF an impol
icipal campaign they are divide
scted, apparently incompeter
procedure Instead of bein
Inc to dictate the RepubIca
sim IS upr the coming election,
is a nancy can control the prim
eeyered Of nouncing the Organ
III aasste for mayor first of a
about about ed until they were caug
forward defiant entrance into Il
My Organization candidatef +
aompleoa, Councilman Slower. Tr
r;hIe Z not long remain defa
i rest. u any other kind. Apparent
Y of q light Of some kind or 9th,
>ps .ormally withdrew. Meanwhi
Organization had brought out L
r. W. Briggs for the mayoralty nomir
ion stamped with its approving brar
4 " put when City Treasurer Price made
Independent appearance as a person
candidate, and showed evidences Of dra
ing to his support following large enou
10 insure his success at the primari'
The amateurs in charge Of the Organi7
lion became 80 ratified they immediate