Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-26
Democratic State Convention.

The Democratic party OF DelaWaFe,
at its State convention held III Dover,
Yesterday, formally passed under new
leadership. Former United states Scna-
tor Willard Salisbury, for nearly quar-
ter of a century the actual as we'll as the
titular leader. was set aside by the party
representatives and United States Senator
Josiah o. Nolcott installed in his place.
The test came on the election. by the
convention, of the States member OF the
Democratic National Committee, posi-
tion held By Scrhtor Sauls bury for the
mast twelve wears. and in which he did
a great deal of excellent work, especlaiiy
during the campaign Of 1916. when the
handling of the situation IN the section
Of country west Of the Mississippi, which
was entrusted to. subcommittee COM
posed Of himself and Senator Walsh Of
Montana, resulted in the surprising vic
tories in States supposed to be rigldy
Republican and thus brought about the re-
election of President Wilson
The contest was not made on this
position because Of itself il embodies
party leadership. for il docs not \ man
NAV be member Of tho national com
mittee without being his partys State
leader. and it is only in recent campaigns
the position has attracted the elements Of
leadership. But MIR Salisbury had been
the partv's long accepted leader, and the
test Of his continuance or retirement was
made on the selection for tins place
Senator Wolcott was placed in opposition,
and Is the result of party sentiment
expressed 1T the primaries IN the election
If delegates to the state convention, was
elected to the national committee by the
decisive vote Of III to 6.
senator Nolcott. therefore Is placed
in the position Of leader Of the Democratic
party Of Delaware for the ensuing four
yea rs. and il may with truth be said the
selection IS most appropriate and pro
ductivc Of general satisfaction His
popularity was amply attested by his
election to the United States Senate. in
1916, when he emerged from the contest
with a clear majority Of votes IN his
favor, the frs, Democratic candidate for
public Office 10 thus carry Delaware since
those fine old days when our party(was
the dominating political Influence in the
State As United States Senator he has
emphatically made wgood, with ample
promise Of stilr further usefulness and
effective service in this eminent position,
and there Is no doubt the Democrats OF
Delaware viii be pleased as we'll as salts
fed with his selection for party leader
ship. II may be said. therefore, that the
outcome Of the State convention in
respect Of TINS very important matter IS
most assuring. and certainly decided step
in the direction of Democratic victory III
the pending political campaign
In other respects, also, the outcome Of
the State convention was highly salts
factory. The national convention dele
CATION is composed Of representative
Democrat tss who, unbound by specific
instructions. may be depended upon TO
do everything possible for the best
interests Of the Democratic party IN the
selection of national candidates and
formation Of real Democratic national
platform, when they assemble with their
fellows at San Francisco. The platform
adopted mainly consisted OF an honest,
sincere and enthusiastic Endorsement of
the administration Of President Wilson
and the League Of Nations. with only a
few divergences in the direaion Of ac-
commodatlng special interests. And
very wisely its trainers declined to touch
upon the disturbing subjects Of suffrage
and prohibition, which are alien to party
procedure and not properly subject to
consideration in framing declarations in
res pect Of party principles
Altogether the Democratic State
Convention Of 1920 was an event of
encouragement as well as Importance to
the Democrats Of Delaware. Il was an
aggressive. representative body. the COM
position Of which spoke for the interest
displayed by the Democratic voters ID the
selection Of delegates IT disposed Of all
the matters that came uD for action in an
intelligent and decisive manner with
thorough good feeling. and il determined
the one contest III a manner that beyond
doubt will best serve party interests and
party purposes. 1T has made Il great
stride in the direction Of attracting that
large measure Of public confidence and
good feeling which Will mean conclusive
at the election III November
The Weather Burpa4l rrpdictefl tuoru1ai