Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-19
What is RoSSism?

What is BoSsism!
"For two years" says the Sussex
Republican Of Georgetown, in its current
issue. "Mr. Alfred l. du Pont has been
publicly urging and leading a movement
for a reformation of the Republican party
of this State. for the establishing of that
equality of opportunity so desirable IN
that party: for the overthrow of boSsism
therein, and to take the control OF the
party from a cabal of personally set-up
leaders and place il in the hands OF the
members of the party How successful
he has been, the Sussex Republican con-
cludes will appear from the action OF the
Republican State Convention TO be held
at Dover. tomorrow IF bOsslsm IS
overthrown and IS no more IN the party,
the voice of the party members Will
prevail. If a cabal of leaders no longer
prevail and control the action OF the
convention will be unshackled and har-
monious. II equality of opportunity has
AT last been established in the party,
that consideration will be extended To
everyone that is their due. And so
this optimistic organ of the Independent
bolters' faction OF the Republican party
advances the opinion that tomorrow
convention Will show whether harmony
in the party is fact or only dream
In view of recent happenings, tins
editorial deliverance Is somewhat re-
markable Certainly, It ignores some
most startling facts in the political his
tory OF the past week. II protests
against a rule OF the Republican party
Of Delaware by ''cabal of leaders
Yct it must know that the leadership
has been boldly assumed by ono man,
who has issued public edict as TO the
nomination for United States Senator BY
tomorrow : convention, and set aside all
other aspirants to the nomination. Can
it be that one-man leadership and dicta-
torship Is to be considered an improve
ment over the control OF the party by a
"cabal Of leaders
The chief interest in the Republican
State Convention, tomorrow, viii be
in respect of the effect OF tins deliberate
order from headquarters as 10 the con-
ventions choice for United States Sena-
tor. The political article printed in the
Wilmington Morning News, last week,
was specific in its utterances. Apparent
ly, it came from the acknowledged leader
of the independent faction, and il laid |
down a line of procedure for the State
convention to follow 1t practically |
declared that ex-Congressman William |
States Senator 1t dismissed the aspira- |
tons Of ex-senator L. Heisler Ball with !
honeyed words and soothing compli- |
ments. It curtly informed Ex-Governor /
not to be considered in connection with
the senatorial nomination. And it /
booted ex-Judge Hastings out of the
ring, without ceremony Also, il dis
considered for the senatorial nomination
who did not have the stamp of approval
of Alfred l. du Pont himself =
And now, in the face of this declara-
ton, thus far not repudiated and re-
manning in full force and effect as the
edict of the leader Of the independent
boilers faction, which IN all probability
will be in full control Of the Republican
State Convention at Dover, tomorrow,
we are met with talk about equality of
opportunity" and of q convention that
viii not be bossed by 'cabal of leaders"
But Will it not be bossed by leader?
And is there any difference between
party ruled by single leader and one |
ruled by "cabal Of leaders?'
OF course, the outcome at Dover, to-
morrow, Is uncertain But should cx-
Congressman Head be nominated for
United States Senator, it will be the
most remarkable and striking evidence Of
power in Delaware politics that
the State has ever known. Never, be
fore, in all the history Of the State, was
there such q bold and sef-assertiye de-
liveranee printed as that which appeared
in the columns Of the Morning News, last
week, In reference TO the work to be done
by the convention at Dover, tomorrow.
1t virtually commanded the convention
10 nominate Mr.. Heald for United States
Senator. And this command did not
smanate from the majority Of the Re
publican voters Of Delaware, but from
one man-the acknowledged leader Of the
Independent boilers faction, which now
seems to have the Republican party in it's
grasp.
DgIndlIng man power is now admitted