The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-03-28
From the Lansing State Journal.
A POOR GAME.

Every old resident of Michigan will re-
member with what hearty approval the
recommendation Of Gov BARRY in 1912
was received. In those days of financial
distress when every man felt his private
and the public embarrassment, every man,
whether wing or democrat, acknowledged
the wisdom and sustained the policy and
measures he then recommended. Atho'
the policy then adopted was democratic
policy, yet the wing party neper did, nor
dared not, make an issue either upon prin-
ciple or measures, or on faithfmness of
administration to the declared principles;
but, upon all State questions, claimed to
support, and did support the policy laid
down in 1912. Every act of the State
20 relieve it from the embarrassments of
Us public debt, and 10 settle up all the
matters connected with it honestly and
iairly, was done openly, so that political
friends and foes knew and understood, and
the record will show, approved of the pol
icy adopted. Every year the Legislature
assembled, and every year committee
of wings and democrats examined The
vaults of the Treasury, and all the public
records, and there is not an instance where
the least fault was found. All cotempo-
raneous action and expression was in APP
proval of the policy and measures and nc
ton OF the democratic party in matters
of State affairs. The men who knew all
the facts connected with our State affairs
acknowledged the soundness and safety of
democratic policy, and bore unqualified
testimony 10 the faithfulness, honesty and
economy of democratic officers, and that,
under the embarrassments, everything was
done that could be done, to further the
interests of the State. Vote after vote
of the people, year after year, endorsed
and approved democratic policy and adj
ministration.
Not till 1852 do we hear of any COM
plant about anything, when Z. CHANDLER
got ambitious to be Governor and he
commenced howl about the State print
ing and binding, which at that time was
costing the State from $4,000 to $4,000
per year. Although this same work, I'M
der republican rule, has cost the State
three times as much as it did under dem
ocratic rule, yet il has been so small a
point in republican extravaganza rs to have
entirely escaped notice. Again, in 1854
the expenditure of $4,000 in support of
the State prison, was bitterly complained
of; when right along after the republicans
took out of the Treasury for the ordinary
expenses of that institution, $1,000 $780,
600 and $4,000. Yet this matter has
hardly been alluded to in q canvass of the
the merits and dement's of the republican
administrations.
But, as the republican administrations
have been arraigned right at the time of
the enactment of their bad policy, and
right Mt the execution of their proiigacy,
corruption and robbery they have turned
around, and with the same brazenness
necessary to perpetrate such deeds, have
attempted to direct attention from them
selves by calling in question acts which,
when done, was regarded by everybody as
the wisest and the best, and which
proved themselves such by their good re-
suits. Now, when the attending circum-
eumstances have been forgotten, and when
a large portion of the inhabitants of the
otate are entire strangers to the history
OF those times, and when the facts can
not be comprehended and realized, the re-
publican party resort to falsehood and
misrepresentation, for no other purpose
than to hide the enormties of their own
administration, now being enacted in the
face of the people. It's mere back fire
dodge while they plumber the main build
ing.
The democratic administrations from
1912 to 1854, needs no defence. If they
did, three points are sufficient:
1st. The condition of the State in
January, 1912. Upon this point we re-
produce the testimony of our opponents
OF that day. After the election of le41,
the Detroit Advertiser said:
The joy of the locofocos is of the
neuter gender. They hardly know wheth-
or 70 laugh or cry. With an empty
treasury and fUe million debt, and soith
no money, to pay either interest or prin-
c.pGf, we feel they have their hands full.
And the shrewd among them see that
they will burn their fingers in less than a
twalye month. For our part we pity
them, although we cannot but laugh at
their perplexity."
The Pontiac Courier, another opposi-