Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-12
MONDAY, AUGUST IL. 1918.
State Campaign Now Under Way.

now be said TO be fairly under way
Dates have been selected for the Stat
conventions of both the leading politica
parties, and now there will be moves ans
secret workings in each party, among tn,
differing factions, for the election o.
sufficient delegates to control the con
ycntions and dictate the nominations
This years campaign is of unusual
Importance because it involves the cleo
ton of a United States Senator. by the
popular vote of the people This will be
the second election under the new system,
Senator Josiah O. WoIcott having been
elected two years ago, defeating Senator
Henry A. du Pont. Mr.. Wolcott, there
fore, enjoys the distinction of being the
first United States Senator elected from
this State by the votes Of the people
Senator Willard salisbury was the last
one elected by the Legislature, under
the former system, and this wear is
candidate for denomination, as his term
Will expire March 3, 1919
In addition to United States Senator, a
Representative in Congress will be chosen,
to succeed Representative Alfred L.
Polk, whose term also will expire March
next In accord with almost unvarying
Democratic custom in this State, il is
expected Representative Polk will be
renominated without opposition. Also,
the State conventions Will nominate
candidates for the offices of State treasurer
and auditor of accounts.
The Republican State Convention has
been called TO meet at Dover on Tues 1ay.
August 20, with a primary for tn, lee
ton of delegates on the Saturday pre-
vious. The books Of primary elections
for both parties are now fully made up,
the registration of yesterday completing
the lists. Only those who are registered |
may vote at the primary elections for the
next two years.
Much interest centres in the Re- |
publican primaries. The control of the |
party seems 10 be passing into the hands
of the Independents faction, headed by
Alfred !. du Pont, which two years ago
smashed the old Organization by bolt
at the election which struck it heavy
blow. The Independents have continued
their factional activity, and apparently
are now leading IN the race for party
control. Many of the leaders and active
workers of the old Organization have gone
over TO the Independents.
Naturally, interest also centres in the
probable choice of the Republicans for
| United States Senator There are many
aspirants, and the delegates will have a
large field to select from. OF course,
however, the leaders of the faction that
secures control of the convention viii
dictate this and all the other nomina-
tions. Just now, as we have said il
seems probable that the Independents
will be IN control, but there are some who
believe the old Organization has not vet
gwen up the fight, and that its leader,
Coleman du Pont, may yet throw a
monkey wrench into the Independents
actional machine and wreck it sadly.
The Democratic State Convention has
'een called for Tuesday. September 10, :
nd 1t also will prove q very interesting
event. AS with the Republicans.
he chief matter of interest is the nomina-
ion for United States Senator
Early this year all probabilities pointed
0 the unanimous denomination Of Sena-
Or Salisbury, but as time passed, oppo- =
tion began to be manifested. James 9
4. Tunnel Of Georgetown is an aspirant
the nomination, and should he secure
ontrol of the Sussex county delegation
is candidacy might become formidable :,
theirs are mentioned, but Mr.. Tun- "
ELL is the only candidate openly in the
ED as an opponent to Senator Sauls-
lry.
The Democratic State Committee. at
meeting in Dover, last week, TO issue a
ii for the State convention, adopted a 90
solution earnestly suggesting the elimi- w
ltion, this year, of the customary district 70
ucises for the purpose of endeavoring TO
ncentrate support on one candidate or Y
'other, and TO leave all selections to the n
legates IN convention assembled, so W
at the latter might truly represent the q
ntlment OF their party constituents.
hat viii be the effect Of this recon- M
endation remains to be seen. tn
III has years election also will involve 10
choice OF Senators and Representa-
res IN the General Assembly and county no
d district officers. These nominations, Il
wever, will be made in the respective vi
lnties and districts, and will be under ~
charge of the county committees TIC
e primaries for these nominations will
held later than the primaries for State
,vention delegates. In each county. W. W.
Heyer, IN both the leading parties, lor
isiderable interest is manifested al tn,
dy, and candidates are expected to be ag
nerous. sp'