Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-26
G,rsuIat'0s GTsu,as satufdsy exeis 141O6
Anything But Harmonious.

IL does not require deep probing to
learn that the harmony which was an
nounced as the most conspicuous eie
ment of the Republican State Convention
at Dover. last week, is hardly skin
deop.' Already il has been scratched oti
in large spots. and knives are being sharp
med for a renewal of the fray over the
issues that precipitated factional dis
turbance in each one of the four district
,a,lcuses at Dover, even though there
was no revolt on the floor Of the con-
gention.
The Republican factionalists who en-
rompassed the defeat of Governor Town
send. in the Sussex county caucus, for
The honor of serving as delegate to the
Republican National Convention, are not
20 escape unchallenged with their trl-
1mph. They beat the governor, IT is
rue. but very largely by reason OF mat
lers that were more public than partisan.
and which should not have been made to
figure in q factional political contest. But
with his enemies it was a matter of amy
hing TO beat Townsend and they car
RED this kind of warfare to the end. 1t IS
even charged that corruption money was
employed to further this purpose, but It IS
only fair TO say there is no visible evidence
to sustain such an intimation. In view of
recent happenings. there is reason to be-
lieve that corruption money tor vote-buy-
ing will not play its customary conspicuous
part in Republican party manipulations
throughout our State this year. But other
means. almost as contemplate, were en-
ployed against the governor. IT rs alleged,
and by a close margin victory was won.
The anti-Townsend Republican papers
of the State indulged in a spiteful Dartl-
san fling at the governor IN their current
issues. but he was not without his defend
crs. The Sussex Republican of George
town took up arms in his behalf most
vigorously, and in a manner highly sig
nifcant. 1t accused the governors enc
mics of misleading Republican voters
''bv the use of all those political tricks
with which they are SO familiar, > thereby
creating discord in the Republican party
At the beginning of the campaign.
'If the best interest of the party had
been considered, if there had been that
desire for harmony in the party which is
20 necessary for victory" said the Sussex
Republican, ''al OF the Republicans would
have favored the selection Of Governor
Townsend and one of the Layton faction,
and the party in this county would have
been united and undivided at the begin
ing of this important campaign. Dr.
Layton would have no doubt met with no
opposition TO his denomination TO Con-
sress. and the party entered the campaign
With the assurance of success. But this
unnecessary contest was started by the
Laytons for their own selfish purposes,
and now they will have to assume the
responsibility for the situation they have
treated and abide by the consequences.
DIR. Layton's denomination to Congress
viii be opposed, and with his political
record. so familiar TO everyone, and his
Congressional record, there is little doubt
hat this opposition will be successful.
The Laytons have sown the seeds of dis ],
sord and opposition, and now they will
nave 10 reap what they have sown.'
This is plain talk. and. as we have said,
lighly significant. Up to this time DIR.
Layton's denomination without opposi-
tion had been looked upon as a foregone
conclusion. For while personal popu-
larity is not his strongest political asset
ne had the powerful support of long-es-
tablished custom on his side. But now
fair notice is served upon him that the
friends Of Governor Townsend propose to |
defeat him in a manner that would be |
equivalent TO q most humiliating repudia- |
ton, in revenge for the assault of the |
Laytons upon the governor.
Whether the Coleman du Pont Or /
once more In control of the |
party In Delaware, will save
Congressman Layton or assent to revenge |
upon hun at the hands of Governor Town |
,end's friends. will be the interesting /
question of the interim before the fall /
primaries. when the nominations will be |
decided upon. DIR. Layton was not the
choice of the Organization two years ago.
put II did not oppose him at the election.
Il was favorable 10 Governor Townsend !
Turing the recent intense primary fight in
sussex county. but there is no evidence