Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-08-18
OUTSIDE VIEW Of
REPUBLICAN FIGHT
Correspondent Of Philadel-
phia Paper Attributes it
to Social Clash
TRACES HISTORY OF
INSURGENT MOVE

The Evening Ledger. Of Philadel-
phia, today contains the following
article regarding the Republican stu
alton in Delaware. written by a stan
correspondent who has investigated
political conditions in this State:
A private family quarrel engender-
ed a decade ago through one mans
divorce and subsequent remarriage,
and ripened gradually into implacable
hatred between family factions, today
has torn the entire State OF Delaware
from end 70 end in the most complex
and at the same time the most bitter
political fight ever witnessed here.
This. at least. Is the charge made
by the regular organization Republic
cans Of the State, who are opposing
the efforts Of Alfred l. DUPONT to pre-
vent the nomination and reelection
OF his cousin. Colonel Henry A. du
pont, to the United States Senate.
The climax to the story factional
war viii be reached tomorrow az the
primaries. when 100 delegates are 10
be elected TO the Republican State
convention. which will meet In Dover
next Tuesday 10 nominate the Re-
publican candidates for all Offices 10
he filled az the November election
THE circumstances 10 which the
organization Republicans attribute
Alfred I. duPont's desertlon Of the
party and his present Eight are his di-
vorce In 1906 from his first wife. who
was Miss Bessie Gardner of Boston,
l. A.
Mrs George A. Maddox. the divorced
wife of his secretary. who was, before
her 6rst marriage. Alicia Hayward
Bradford daughter Of Federal Judge
Edward G.. Bradford and the social
ostrRcism 10 which the other duPonts
subjected him and his second wife. II
was this same set Of circumstances. in
part. they say which caused the du-
Pont powser suit
lnterfamiiy Strife.
'The feeling of bitterness against
the other branches Of his family has
so grown in Alfred T. DUPONT, II is de-
clarod. that he is willing TO go any
length to end the political domination
of General r. Coleman DUPONT, Re-
publican national committeeman from
Delaware; Colonel Henry A. dupont
United States Senator. and the other
duPonts who have been active politi.
cally to less degree.
1.-THE entrance OF Alfred l. DUPONT
into politics was signaiizod in the
spring by his defeat OF the Senator. his
rival candidate. for one of the SIX
places Of delegate to the Republican
National Convention from Delaware
Together with Major Edmund Mitchell
former Republican State chairman
and Ruby r. Vale. Of Milford. Plila
delphia lawyer who we're also dele
gates. he succeeded In deadlocklng the
conference Of State delegates and pre-
venting the reelection OF General du-
Point as national committeeman. The
National Committee itself. however.
by the exercise OF its legal preroea,
tive overstepped the deadlock and re-
instated the general.
Anti-Machine Crusade.
This was the signal for the State
wide fight which has developed into
the bitterest controversy Delaware
has ever seen. The slogan Of Alfred
T. DUPONT and his followers have been
purge the party Of the corrupt bosses
and bring II once more into the con-
troll Of the people" To this end they
declare their movement 10 be an anti
machine and Independent Republican
campaign.
"Thc old guard leaders hold up 70 rid.
Guile the assertion that the Alfred 1.
DUPONT faction is working unselhshly
for party purity. The fallacy of this
contention. they declare, is demonstrated
by the fact that allied with the so-called
independents are the lieutenants of the
former discredited political machine OF
J. Edward Addicks. former Senator J.
Frank Alice and Levy Courtman Benia.
min A. Groves, former Addicks mem.
Der of the State legislature Alfred l.
dupont. 10 prove that he IL unselfsh,
however, has refused TO accept the NOM.
nation 10 the Senate.
"The Old Guard leaders are work.
ing to elect delegates pledged 10 sup
port at Dover on Tuesday the regu-
iar-slated candidates for all Offices.
The Alfred l. DUPONT faction Is fight
ing to elect delegates unpledged to
support any set Of candidates, but
pledged to do just one thng-kill the
denomination OF Senator Henry A.
dupont.
The entire situation has become so
tangled and complicated, so many
factions within factions have sprung
up and so many Of the smaller lead
FRS have been attempting TO cater 10
both sides In the controversy that
the convention on Tuesday is likely
TO be the stormiest session ever seen
at Dover.