Milford chronicle., 1920-02-13
UNDER THE HEADING OF "A NEW

UNDER THE HEADING OF "A NEW DEAL" Robert
G. Houston of Sussex County states his understanding of
the position Of the Republican Party in Delaware at the
present the withdrawal of Mr. Alfred
l. du Pont active factor in its management Mr..
Houston INDUCES in remnescence of past cam
pagns and the differences between the leaders in several
campaigns, and he is disposed to be optimistic to the
political in Delaware from Republican stand
point. However reproduce his editorial for the in
formation OF all whom may interest who may be in
terested in the political future of Delaware. He says
THE Republican party Of the State Of Delaware is
again confronted with change alignment which has
often marked its since the first victory of 1883,
which sent Anthony Higgins to the Senate the following
year for six years.
"Then came the advent of Addicks and his success
ful effort prevent the reelection of Higgins to the
Senate in 1895 The split in the Republican party fol
lowed and the maintenance Of the separate Republic
organizations in the State years until the
Of the campaign Of 1904 when the unexpected and
sensational elimination of Addicks from Delaware pol
itics marked another change.
THE elimination OF Addicks left the leadership Of
the Republican party of the in the hands Of Hen
A. du Pont which not seriously contested until
the public entry of Alfred l. du Pont into State poll
tics in 1916 Mr.. du Pont had taken than
al interest early 1910, but not publicly His
markable in securing control of the party in
this State was owing the Opportune time of his
try The organization of the Progressive party 1912
and its campaigns had already shaken the holds OF the
old machine the State. In fact had not been
for the existence OF Progressive organization its
legal right a position the ballot the fight 1916
would not have been made because only after the
inability of the Independent Republicans to organize
separate party in New Castle and Sussex, that
lures made to the Progressive organization which
resulted in the nomination of the Progressive ticket in
1916 the election Of the present Republican State Ad-
ministration, and the defeat Henry A. du Pont
the Senate The success of Alfred l. du Pont faction
in 1915 largely owing to the fact that they were
practically unopposed. The attitude old Organ
izaton 'let Alfred l. do it," The election of the
ticket not owing to any extraordinary political
leadership astuteness, but largely owing 10 oppo
sition to Wilson's Administration and the factional op
position to Willard Saulsburg in this State
Now another change has occurred at the beginning
OF the campaign of 1920, in the Republican party in
Delaware and the thought probably uppermost in the
mind of every Republican in this State is the probable
effect Of this change on the result in this State.
Considering the effect upon the whole party of the
State it is the best thing that could have
I'VE, of course, not acquainted with the causes
that have led to Mr.. A l. du Points retirement from
public and active leadership but if after and
deliberate consideration of the condition Republican
politics of this State he had decided, that was for
the best interest his party the State and the best
interest of the State to sacrifice any ambitions that
he might have entertained in that behalf he would have
done just what he has done
THE Republicans Of the State confronted in
this campaign by the prospect bitter factonal con
est for the control of the organization and over the Sc
lection Of the State and County tickets with the prob
able result that whoever nominated the ticket the en-
bttered opposition of the other would have made the
election Of that Republican ticket impossible Now there
is no likelihood Of serious factional fight few fac
onal leaders whose interest in politics is purely per-
sona may be angered by personal disappointment ana
may endeayor to make trouble but action is bound
to be local and ineffective
But, if unselhsh devotion to the best interest of
the party and state which are to assume was the
motive Of Mr A. l. du Points action be the controlling
influence in the action Of other Republicans Of prom
nence in this State. this campaign. there can be no
oub of the result and the Republican party will emerge
rom that campaign rehabiitaed cleaner and stronger
han ever before
Let the opportunity be Afforded in the Republican s.
arty Of this state to every Republican assume that
osition in his party to which his ability, his service
aA bis ssaseete3 entte hiu.r 5i