The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-18
DU PONT ROW May
SPLIT STATE PARTY
Senator Henry A. and T. Cole
man Line Up Against
Cousin Alfred I.
FIRST BLOOD FOR ALFRED

Wv
WiLMINGroN. Del. June 16.-The du
Pont family. for more than a century
manufacturers Of gunpowder. whose
members have participated in State and
national politics. IL divided again and
the controversy threatens TO split the
Republican party In Delaware.
The political fight Ia the outcome OF
other battles which have been waged
among the du Fonts. first the social
war and later the business clash which
involves control OF the s24O, o 1000
powder concern.
ON one side are United states Senator
Henry A. du Font. the recognized leader
in Republican affairs In Delaware. and
Gen. T. Coleman du Pont. whose name
was placed in nomination at the Chicago
convention for President.
On the other side Is Alfred 7. du Pont.
who has shown his teeth to his cousins
and who Is picked as the logical leader
for the revolt against the organization.
Concentrating his force overnight he
defeated the Senator for the honor OF
koiHt W Nv NoHNtuiloU dHu WOThtu
tooth and nail against the Delaware
delegation supporting the candidacy of
T. Coleman for President and for re-
election as national committeeman from
Delaware. He succeeded In d~eadlocking
the delegation. but the national commit
tee reelected his cousin.
The ~real!gnment OF Republican forces
Is now under way and the rival heads
are marking time. but with this COM
slatnA shA Er.t.p tu a~nnJ - .kAu.
not so much an offensive by Insurgents
against the organization as one band
OF individuals against another. AZ the
very start Alfred !. du Pont showed
amazing strength in defeating his cousin
for national delegate. and his victory
developed that he had the assistance OF
some who were classed as organization
men. He made other converts at the
Chicago convention. and at THE time the
situation Is rather chaotic and distinct
lines have disappeared, although the
rival du ront leaders loom up formi-
daily,
Suit started Trouble.
Little or nothing was heard Of Alfred
!. du Pont as a possible political leader
until after he had been ousted AZ a
member Of the finance committee and
as a vice-president OF the Du Pont
Powder Company because OF his par
~ticipation in the suit instituted by Philip
+. du pont Of Merton. Pa. to compel
Pierre s. du Pont. president of the
powder concern. and his associates COM
prising the Du Point Securities Com
pany to turn back to the company $751;
OO0,O 600 worth Of stock purchased from
T. Coleman du Pont on the ground that
fraudulent methods were employed In
its acquisition.
His crushing defeat OF his cousin. the
venerable Senator. for national delegate.
apparently without advance preparation.
created a profound sensation in political
circles ~ Delaware and 1t was the first
intimation that the fight OF the battling
du Ponts had taken a new turn.
While Senator du Pont had been Sc
lected by the organization FOR another
term in the Senate. II was thought that
his defeat would cause hts political re-
tirement. but rs another evidence OF the
tangled political situation II is now in
mated that he may oe Endorsed by
Alfred |. du Pont.
The latter has been mentioned as a
possible Senatorial aspirant. but II il
said that he may indorse the Senator
and then mass all his strength to crush
T. Coleman du Pom, politically. for it is
against him more than any OF the others
that the new political leader il con-
centrating his forces.
According to some OF the organization
leaders II Alfred |. du Pont should con-
tinue 10 oppose the Senator the latter
would step out and T. Coleman du rout
would take up his armor az a Senatorial
candidate, which won! assure one of the
most bitter political battles ever staged
IN the stormy arena OF Delaware
The du Pout family entered politics
more than a century ago when Nictul
du Pont 'irst) WAS elected to the Della
ware House OF Representatives. pe,.s
reelected in ISIS. The family name does
not appear again on the official roster
un,il 1870. Nh-n Charles | du Point Wa
elected a State Senator. In ls44 A., |
du FONT was elected a Presidential el.r-
tor and in 1864 Victor du Font lsecondl
was 4 Democratic candidate for Presi-
dental elector.
The du Points then dropped out Of poll
ties entirely until 1895, after John I'd.
ward Addicks had begun his spectaculal
and costly fight FOR a United State
Senatorship. With the Legislature dead.
locked United States senator Henry \
du Pont WAS made tho choice OF one
faction. but the deadlock was not broken
Delaware Legislatures continued dead.
locked until 1905, when the power OF
Addicks had waned Then a special ses.
sion Of the Legislature was called and
senator du Font was chosen, being rc-
elected at the 1911 session. senator du
Pont and Gen. I. Coleman du rout have
been active In Delaware politics since
1904.
All the members ~ the du Pom, fam.
ilN who have participated in political
| affairs were opponents of the Democrat,
party. with the execution Of Victor du
Pont '%sccond). who was u Democrat. Io
could have been elected liDNerppr Of Dol.