Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-04-16
TUESDAY, APRIL Is. 1918
Distrust the Organization.

II is plx,nly evident, from the tone OF
comment expressed by Republican papers
now supporting the Independent faction
OF the Republican party in Delaware, that
much distrust of the real purposes and
intent of the Organization prevails The
independents are inclined TO be doubtful
al anv Organization promises, and afraid
~f some sort of coup by the latter which
might defeat the Independents Mt COM
mon primaries.
The Union Republican of Georgetown
is especially emphatic in voicing this dis
trust of the Organization leaders. and holds
that time will tell the sincerity Of their
purposes. But should the Organization
"attempt TO doube-cross the Independent
faction, as it did in 1916, it says, IT
might 8, we'll begin to dig its own grave.
The Union Republican Is still suspicious
of certain things that happened during the
recent special session Of the Legislature,
and looks upon the attempt oi the Organ
,ation at that time 20 ride rough-shod OVER
all objections in an endcavor TO force
through Governor Townscnd's original
Defence Council hill, regardless Of thc
objections Of President pro tom Barnard
and others, as evidence of its doubtful
character At tins time.
There is a prevailing impression, say
the Union Republican. .'that IN voting ~
railroad the Tunnel hill through the
Senate, despite the vigorous objections #
Senator Barnard and Attorney 4iarman
warning that the bill in some respects was
unconstitutional, the Organization mem
hers Of that body were carving ont the
orders Of someone higher up Up
other words. the ducks quackcd as their
masters ordered them to do. II this he
true. and there Is little reason q doubt ~,
then the protestations Of friendship on the
part Of the Organization 70 the lndc-
pendents are insinccre, for otherwise the
objections voiced by Senator Barnard anl
other Independent leaders would have been
gwen the consideration To which they
were entitled But if the Organization
attempts any crooked work il VIII hc 70 I1~
own sorrow, for It ha, nothing 10 gam
thereby. but everything % lose
Now. this PLAIN talk. coming from q
Republican paper on one side Of the fac
tional contest and addressed directly 70
the leaders of the other faction. IS slgnIfl-
cant. 1t is not only indicates distruct,
as we have said. but an almost fierce
intention 10 resent to the limit any resort.
III this years Republican primaries, 70
such Objectionable tactics as enabled the
Organization TO win doubtful and tainted
victory at the Republican primaries two
years ago.
In fact, there can be no doubt that
harmony between the Republican factions,
such harmony as would bring them 10
gether IN one efficient and harmonious
organization for the campaign Of this
year. seems very remote The feeling is
hitter. The independents struck the
Organization heavy blow at the election
Of 1916, and this Is not only serious
offence, but such a radical departure
from what the Organization considers
party loyalty" that it viii not be soon
forgiven and possibly never forgotten.
However, the campaign Is still in an
early stage. and much may happen in
short time One thing seems certain,
however. and that Is the Independents
will accept no harmony that does not rest
upon the secure foundations OF honest
primaries, fairly and openly conducted,
so that the result may be accepted as an
expression Of the will Of the Republican
voters
And why should not all party primaries
% Of this character