Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-20
Some Uncertainty at Dover.

While it is hardly probable that MIR
Alfred | du Points hold on the Republl-
can State Convention, in session at Dover,
TODAY. will be broken. there has been one
element of uncertainty as TO the outcome,
since the delegate election of Saturday
afternoon. And among other things,
it has been said that Mr.. du Pont may
hesitate about forcing the nomination OF
ex-Congressman William Il. teald Tor
United States Senator
The political dehverance printed IN the
Morning News, last week, IN which Mt
Heald was plainly selected for the nomna-
ton for United States Senator and all
other aspirants summarily set aside,
created great political sensation through
out Republican circles all over the State
Ii was accepted as coming from head
Quarters Of the Independent bolters
faction. and authorized by Mr.. du Pont
himself, and to represent hls wishes IN
respect Of the senatorship. And as there
was little doubt Of his ability to control
the convention 10 his will, il was expected
that the announced program would be put
through.
But the ultimatum did not 20 down
we'll with a lot OF Republicans, including
some Of the aspirants to the nomination for
United States Senator, and the latter,
with single exception, continued their
work The exception was ex-Judge
Daniel Q. Hastings, who seemed to view
his curt dismissal as effective and made
public announcement that he would not
be a candidate.
DR.. l.. Heisler Ball and has friends,
however, continued active operations.
While DR.. Ball, in the ultimatum, was
dismissed with honeyed words and soft
phrases. be was none the less dismissed,
set aside. But apparently he refuses 70
step aside, and there was talk at Dover
last night and this morning, that he
would fe supported by majority OF the
delegates from Wilmington and rural
New Castle county. 1t was also SAID
Ruby Vail Of Milford would continue in
the field, and would receive support from
Kent and Sussex,
If there IS anything substantial IN
these reports, Mr. du Pont may find 1t
difficult matter to control the State
convention to the extent OF carrying out
last weeks remarkable ultimatum There
has not vet been a drawing OF the lines
that reveals the preferences of any large
number OF delegates, and there Is also
the probability that many delegates,
probably a good working majority will
stand ready to vote Just as Mr.. du Pont
may desire them TO vote.
If this should be the case, MIR Heald
will be nominated for United States
Senator, unless Mr. du Pont himself
should hesitate, at the last minute, about
forcing through the ultimatum that was
printed in the Morning News last week.
1t might prove dangerous to do this, as
the move was one the like of which was
never before known IN Delaware politics.
1t was such a bald assertion not only Of
party leadership, but Of party bossism,
that it could not help engendering strong
opposition, and this opposition may m
duce Mr. du Pont TO change his plans
possibly to drop MIR. Head and select
some other candidate for Senator
However, the delegates are now assem-
bled at Dover and the convention is fairly
under wav. Soon we shall know all
about il. Dispatches to later editions Of
Every Evening from our staff correspond
ent at Dover may contain some inter
esting revelations.