Milford chronicle., 1920-03-19
GOVERNOR TOWNSEND TO
MAKE FIGHT FOR DELEGATE
Declines Congressman Laytons Suggestion That Both With
draw From Contest for National Delegate. Tells
Sussex Republicans He
TO DR.. LAYTONS CAMPAIGN FUND
Springs Surprises On Georgetown Meeting He Helped to
Pay the Salary of Detective Lynch. Too.
Erom the Eveninr Ionrnal.

From the Evening Journal.
Georgetown, March 15-Some very
time-worn political tricks are being
attempted by that faction of Sussex
county Republican politicians who are
against General T. Coleman duPOnt's
reelection as Delaware's member of
the Republican National Committee
and against anything for which the
administration of Governor Townsend
stands. They are being attempted,
but, so far, none of them has been
successful.
When the candidacy of T. Coleman
dupont for reelection to the Repubh
can national committee was first mel
toned, the Layton faction in Sussex
county openely declared war against
it, This meant the opposition of Con
gressman Caleb Layton, and Daniel
]. Layton, Republican State chairman
and their powerful machine in Sussex
county. In the beginning they were
very "cocky" and claimed they would
control so per cent of the Sussex
county delegation to the State conven-
tion and would select both Sussex
county delegates to the Republican
national convention who would be
against T. Coleman dupont
Time passed, and Congressman Cal
eb Layton began to realize the wis
dom of his having behind him a uni
ted party, if he we're to be assured
of a return to Congress. Being one
of the promoters and leaders of a fac
tional fight against the reelection OF
another Delaware Republican party
leader was certainly not the part OF
political sagacity upon his part. This
impression grew upon him as he be-
came aware that not only Republican
National Chairman Will II. Hays, and
other Republicans of national prom
inence very greatly desired T. Cole
man duPont's continued service on
the Republican National Committee.
In due season overtures were made
and Congressman Layton went on rec
ord in several quarters as agreeable
to General duPont's reelection. In
return, the friends of General DUPONT
in Sussex county lee it be known
they were very willing to let Con-
gresham Layton go to Chicago as a
national delegate without any oppo-
sition on their part The word was
passed around and it became general
ly understood that there would be no
fight in Sussex over national dele
gates; that Governor Townsend and
Layton, leaders of the
opposing factions, would be selected /
without opposition, and General du-
Pont reelected without opposition. In
this way it was hoped party harmony |
would be restored within Republican .
ranks and everything put in ship
shape for the 1920 campaign.
But it soon became very apparent
hat the Layton faction while making
very loud professions in favor Of
General duPOnt's reelection were
working liks beavers TO prevent Gov
srnor rCwEsend--G General duPont's
srsonal friend and leader in Sussex
being selected as ma
ional delegate. The fight finally be-
,ame open against Governor Town
send. Several names were suggested
n Governor Townsend's place and
lOne of them was a man who could
,e depended upon to support Gener-
il dupont None of the men suggest
ID was pledged to General dupont,
md from their past records and align
nents could not be expected to vote
or him. The Layton faction still in
sisted it was not a fight on General
luPont, but a fight on Governor
LOWuSeuu, DeCduSe VI Ills pd4I IL SS-
curing the passage of the School
Jode, against which the Laytons have
tirred up and kept alive in Sussex
county a very deep and bitter resent
nent
They believed these tactics would
vim for them, but the prospects OF
Governor Townsend in Sus-
ex county did not improve as the
ays went by. In fact, they began to
Vither and look very poorly. The
workers, aroused at this
resh display of bad faith both to the
Governor and to General DUPONT open '
Continued on page FOUR &