Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-06
Member of the Associated Pres.
TUESDAY. AUGUST 6. 1918.
Colonel Houston for Congress.

According to the information presented
in a Georgetown letter to Every Evening,
last Thursday, the Republicans of Sussex
county are giving consideration to the
important political matter OF candidate
for Representative in Congress, and party
sentiment is strongly gravitating towards
Colonel Robert G. Houston of George
town. Colonel Houston-he rs a colonel,
by the way, of gubernatorial staff cahbre,
not as a result of actual warfare, al
though his fighting qualities are not doubt
ed-has been prominent in Delaware
politics for long time; has held public
Office and acquitted himself therein most
creditab1v. and has raised himself to a
position which may rightfully be held as
one of commanding influence in the poll
tics of lower Delaware, If not of the entire
State
But that Colonel Houston would prove
an acceptable Congressional condidate
to the new dispcnsation" that now seems
10 be settling down upon the Republican
party Of Delaware If another matter.
So far as honest independence is concerned,
Colonel Houston has record that is
almost "A, No. J." lie fought Addicks
durirg all the efforts Of that arch-corrup-
zionist to buy a seat in he United States
Senate. Also he opposed, with the same
vigor, the corrupt reign of the du Pont
influence that succeeded Addlcls IN
Delaware Republican politics. with even
worse corruption of elections, resulting
in the formation of the famous and power
full Organization, now apparently totter-
ing and rccling from the blows that were
inflicted upon il at the election of 1916 by
the independent bolters' faction. And
Colonel Houston was with the lndepend-
ents in that memorable political contest.
At this time, the political outlook in
Delaware, so far as the Republican party
is concerned. is that the Independent
bolters' faction is on top, and may easily
secure control of the party organization.
In the campaign of two years ago, this
faction figured as bolters' faction, but
now it has prospects Of securing an i'm
peccable party regularity that will be
beyond the reach of assault. In plain
words. it is now in q position TO go into
common primaries with the remnants
of the old Organization-so long the real
Republican party of Delaware-and beat
it to the dust. Then, of course, it would
emerge from the contest with the stamp
Of party regularity to supplant It's pre-
vlous position as an aggregation OF party
bolters, and thereby be in position to call
upon all good Republicans in the State to
rally under its banner, rs representing
the Republican party of Delaware.
OF course, this outcome is not vet an
absolute assurance, but it is a promising
probability. The Independent bolters
faction is drawing TO it's support many of
those who made the old Organization SO
powerful after it had out-bid Addicks in
corruption Their names now appear
in the lists of those who flock to the co,n- |
CHS of the Independent boilers faction, on
formal invitation. They are like buzzards |
who hover over a dead carcass, eager |
to devour whatever the carcass may afford |
in the way of food-money regard |
Ies of principle or policy. They stood |
by Addicls as long as his money |
lasted Then they went over to the
because the Organization
had the money and did not hesitate 10
use it lavishly And now they are ready
10 ally themselves behind the new dis
pensation." provided, of course, that it
has the money" and is willing TO spend |
il in the most inviting manner that marked |
the regime of Addicks and the Organiza |
ion. The only doubtful element at |
his time is whether the old Organization |
will lie down supinely and confess TO |
defeat in advance, or arouse to contest |
and spend money to win. Should 1t |
sdopt the latter alternative, there is no
ioubt that many old Addicks Republi-
ans, subsequently, faithful Organization |
would be in q sad quandary, 1
wondering which faction had the more
money to lay out In primary contest.
FOR where the bulk Of the money went,
here would they be found also.
However, this contemplation Of the
Republican situation in Delaware does
lot affect the suggestion of Colonel
Houston as the candidate for Congress,
n the event that the Independent bolters'
action of the Republican party, as now
Gems highly probable, will secure con
rol Of the regular party organization and
ictate all the nominations to the Republi-
an ticket this year. Colonel Houston
] peculiarly situated, in that it will be
o trouble for him TO change front at any
lme the situation might indicate the
fopriety of an about face. In one cam
aign, not so many years ago, he vigor-
uay opposed, personally and in his