Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-15
Circulation Every 1An0n
Evening Saturday xfVZV
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A Very ENCOURAGING Move.

Very Encouraging Move.
Although surface indications may be
far from reliable, in view of the undoubted
skill of Republican leaders in concealing
their purposes when they so desire, at
present they seem to point to an absolute
lack of leadership of the Republican party
of Delaware in respect of policy and ac-
tion. And this, too. on the eve of an i'm
portant session of the Legislature which
involves consideration and action upon
pending measures the result of which may
have potent effect upon the fortunes
of the party throughout the coming State
campaign. Alfred l. du Pont, who firmly
established himself in the position of un-
disputed party leader during the campaign
of 1918, apparently has retired from the
political field. Were it not for the recent
recrudescence of Bitter attacks upon Gov
ernor Townsend by the down-State Re-
publican papers he is understood to con-
troll. his retirement would seem absolute.
And on the other hand, there are no evi-
QtuCoS Oh ulTtEtltD HUH tiit btES
of the old Coleman du Pont Organiza-
ton, which now appears to be once more
in party command. In fact, everything is
at sea in Republican circles, and although
there may be few leaders who know what
is in contemplation. they will not tell.
This apparent situation Of uncertainty
and lack of direction is plainly evidenced
by the call for a meeting in Georgetown,
bers of the Legislature, Republicans and
Democrats, with such interested citizens
as may attend, for the purpose of endeav-
oring to secure knowledge of public
sentiment in respect of Equal Suffrage.
and buttressing of the School Code with
State money in order to reduce the bur-
dens of school taxation, which will be the
leading questions before the special ses-
sion OF the Legislature TO convene at
Dover next Monday. This is most sur
prising move. certainly without parallel
since the Republican party of this State
passed under the domination Of auto
cratic personal leadership, following the
enforced retirement of Addicks, in 1905.
No such meeting of legislators to con-
fer with constituents upon important pub
lie questions would have been thought OF
III the past. The Republican members OF
the Legislature, instead OF publicly con-
ferring with the people, would have
maintained policy of strict silence until |
they assembled at Dover, and then would |
have religiously followed the orders issued |
from headquarters How radical is the |
change indicated by this open conference |
TO be held at Georgetown tomorrow.
And what a welcome change, no mat
ter what may be the outcome of the con-
or even if percharce it shall be
in due time, by return to the
former custom Of taking and obeying
orders from the party's boss. Il will at
least be teed sown in good ground,
and und ouhtedly will have good effect in
mpreFsing representatives of the people
IN the Legislature with the fact, so long
ignored, that in the performance of their
duties they have an obligation to the
people who elect them, rather than TO the
bosses OF their party. And if favorable
results attend this conference, it may be
beyond the power of party bosses here
after to override the influence of this sur
1rlslng procedure. OF course, the meet
pg may be fruitless, but the mere fact
hot hos Iaov. ho1 I
Importance. 1t is an innovation, and a
Fery welcome one
The developments of this meeting
nay throw some light qpon the situation
respect of the Suffrage Amendment and
he School Code. AS to the former. the
eneral expectation until recently was
hat all the Republican members of the
legislature would favor ratification. and
u the Democratic members array them
elves IN opposition. But it is said on
ood authority there is Republican op-
osltion TO ratification and Democratic
avor of the cause of votes for women. And
has been said the Republican opposition
D ratitcation is ESPECIALLY strong in
ussex county.
However, the time of waiting will not
e1ong. Tomorrow : gathering at George
'Wn VIII afford some intmations, and the
ssembhng OF the Legislature at Dover,
ext Monday, will soon reveal the real sit
atom. Meanwhile, there will be ample
aterial for most interesting speculation