Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-25
G. O. p. Women Alter MeNabb.


To be sure there might not bc any
politics in the attempt to defeat Repre-
sentative John l.. McNabb TO the State
Senate from the Second district OF this
city, for aside from his persistent and
winning opposition to Equal Suffrage he
was ungallant enough to designate Mrs.
Jane Pennewill he-woman, 40 she herself
declares Mrs Penncwill points out in
initiatinga ''non-partisan crusade against
McNabb which j. TO be house-to-housc
affair. that the Senatorial candidate did
not stand for good legislation, but on the
other hand, he stood for bad legislation.
If Mrs. Pennewill is non-partisan and SIN
cere in her purpose, and determined to
work for the defeat Of all the members OF
the Legislature who did not stand for good
legislation. she has left il rather late to set
her protest in action, as the time until elec-
tion is short, and 90 be consistent and
thorough she would have to make house.
toulouse canvass Of large part of the
State. She will find by the records Of the
recent session Of the General Assembly
that the Republican majority of that body
did not stand for good legislation, in fact,
Il stood almost for no legislation atall
There were many changes in the laws
needed and advocated for the last term,
but scarcely vital one was considered.
For instance, the matter of state budget
was urged last winter, but il was not even
discussed. Legislation likewise was urged
for the benefit of the soldiers returned
from the hardships and perils of the World
War, many of them. especially those nav
ing families, in urgent need OF assistance,
but the Legislature was silent on the mat
ter and even unto this moment the party
in power has not made the slightest recog-
milton of the services of those brave men,
nor have the State and the spellbinders
or platform of the G. o. P. suggested
any provision for them.
These two instances will serve to illus
trate to Mrs. Pennewill that if she is
really after the derehcts and Is non
partisan" in her attitude Of rebukine
official laxity, she will have abundant heid
for her efforts among legislators who were
of the majority party and consequently
able to enact almost whatever good legls-
lation that might have been offered. but
didn't.
The singing out of Representative Nc
Nabb Just at this moment rs non
partisan" target in connection with the
names thus far revealed in the drive
gives the matter strong tinge OF he
publican partisanship. This conviction is
strengthened by the previous effort OF
the party leaders TO create situation IN
the Second district which they hoped would
eventuate in the success Of faithful fol-
lower of the G. 0. p, wearing the mask OF
an independent.
We think that house-to-house can
vass of the Second district, or any other
district for that matter to personally de-
mand that the occupants of each dwelling
to vote against McNabb and for a Republi-
can. would be an unwarranted piece OF I'M
pertinence, practically lnexcusable, as 1t
seems to be based more upon the rutfied
feelings Of one woman more than any
thing else. For if Mr.. MeNabb should de-
serve defeat on account of hostility to
Equal Suffrage, 30 should some Repuoi1-
can candidates.
After all. the Democratic Senatorial
candidate in the Second district may have
pretty accurately majority
of his constituents, both on suffrage and
other measures. and we may infer that he
did from the big majority be received at
the nomination election at the same tune
the attempted trick OF the
to split the majority party
in the district through second and fake
Democratic ticket.
We have not heard Of any dissatlsiac-
ton with Mr.. McNabb or his record
which is exceptionally good-aTnong the
voters of his own party, and the hostility
that seems TO have just been stirred INTO
action, we suspect, comes from he
publicans and aided by these suffragists
who would destroy tnose opponents WIZ
held strong convictions against the An
thony amendment and had the courage 20
stand for them in the face of the strong
pressure brought TO bear. he being the
most outspoken opponent here. His seat
being coveted by Republicans, logically
be would be the one whom the two sets of
partisans would unite in the effort 70
gain partisan victory.
1t we mistake not large majority OF
the women of the Second district were |
and are opposed TO suffrage and it does not
seem that the sufTragists, III lending them |
selves to f rthzr the c. Q. p aims, are
BADLY advised Mr.. MeNabb's good |
record in the House of Representatives
clearly calls for his election to the State
Senate