Smyrna times., 1926-12-29
GOSSIP OVER THE LEGISLATURE
Feeling at Governors Dinner That
Senator Allen Would be Elected
President Protein of the Senate


The general opinion of many mem
/ bers of the Legislature assembled
yesterday afternoon at the Hotel du-
i Pont as guests of Governor Robert P.
Robinson, was that when the two
Houses of the Delaware Legislature
meet at Dover next Tuesday at noon
to organize, Senator William F. Allen
of Seaford, Democrat, will be chosen
for President Pro-tempore of the Sen
ate, and Representative William Win
trup, Republican, of Wilmington, for
Speaker of the House. Friends of
Hervey P. Hall, Smyrna, have not
given up hope but that he will finally
land the honored position and lots
may happen when the caucus is taken.
The members will go to Dover Mon
day afternoon and will hold organiza-
ton caucuses that evening. The Re-
publicans have majority of one in
the House, and the Democrats a ma
jority of one in the Senate. The per-
sonnel of the Senate being 9 Demo-
Gratis to Republicans, it will be nee
essary for Democratic candidates to
have the votes of at least 5 in the
caucus. The concensus of opinion
among the Legislators was that Sen
ator Allen was assured of the neces-
sary five votes, two from Sussex, two
from Kent, and at least one from New
Castle county. Some predicted that
Senator Allen would hold six votes,
and his apparently strongest opponent
Senator James H. Latchum, of Mil
ford, three votes, with Hervey P. Hall
of Smyrna, as the dark horse in the
event of tie-up. Confidence how
ever, was expressed by some of Sen
ator Aliens friends that the caucus
would eventually give unanimous en-
dorsement to Senator Allen. Senator
Allen and Representative Wintrup,
however, may find strong opposition,
as both are recognized "drys' and the
"wet" and dry issue undoubtedly
will play an important part in the or
ganization of both branches of the
Legislature. Two other members of
the House are talked Of for speaker.
They are William Ball of Dover, and
Thomas C. Curry of Bridgeville.
Among those mentioned as candidates
for the various offices are the follow
ing: Former Representative John w.
Spicker, of Delaware City, for read
ing clerk of the House; William Rob-
inson, of Dover, for chief clerk of the
House; Grover King, of Smyrna, for
chief clerk of the House; M. C. Dag
ger, who was reading clerk of the
House four years ago, for clerkship;
Mrs. Frank Hall Davis, for a clerk
ship in the House; Wright C. Dizer
and Harry Smith, secretary of the
Democratic City Committee, for offic-
es in the Senate, the latter as serg-
cant t-at-arms; former Representatives
E. Frank Locates, of Laurel, who was
secretary to President protein Truitt
of the Senate two years ago, and
former Representative John NJ Ar
thurs, of Kenton, for the office of sec
retary of the Senate; John Mayhem,
of Milford, for reading clerk of the
Senate; John Bennett, of Milford, for
sergeant-at-arms of the Senate; and
for the office of chaplain, Rev. c. w.
Spry, of Magnolia, and Rev. Franklin
Bryan, of Dover, in the Senate, and in
the House, Rev. E. H. Cantwell, of
Cheswold; Rev. w. E. Matthews, of
Smyrna; Rev. E. w. Jones, of Dover,
and Rev. D. J. Givan of Clayton.