Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-12-11

THE REPUBLICAN TICKET NENT YEAR
BLAINE WILL BE THE CANDIDATE.
The Detroit Tribune publishes the
following interview with John L. Rich:
Asked his opinion of the Miner elect
oral law Mr.. Rich said very emphatic
ally:'FI think it is the most outrageous
law ever passed to deprive the ma jority
of the people of proper representation
in the electoral college. 1t has largely
deprived the state of influence in pro-
curing either of the great national con-
YentiOns. 1t has taken the state from
its leading position among the states of
the union and made tia nonentity, and
the result of its vote for President and
Vice-President is of as little importance
as it is possible to make il. 1t is con-
coded that Michigan is Republican
state, and in no way could the Demo
crat party have made the admission
more complete than by the enactment
of the Minor electoral law. 1t has be-
come the universal custom among states
to elect the presidential electors on the
state ticket. 1t has been accepted and
approved by all parties and 1t is espec-
tally provided by the United States
constitution that when the election of
President devolves upon the house of
representatives the vote shall be by
states. But last winter the Democrats
of the state senate violated what has
been the understanding for years and
never before has been violated, that no
business of Il political nature should be
taken up by one party while members
of the other party were absent attend
ing the state convention of their party.
1t is upon the same principle that the
members bill is acted upon adversely
in his absence, and both are upon the
principle of fair play. The Democratic
senator's found themselves in II situa-
ton where by the aid of the lieutenant
governor and secretary of the senate,
and the ignoring and overriding of
constitutional and personal rights, they
were enabled to unseat two Republican
senators and thus obtained complete
control of the legislature. AS they al
ready had the executive, they could
then do as they pleased. Their pleas
ure is shown i'll the enactment of the
electoral and apportiOnment laws.
There was no question OF party princi-
pie involved, but having the power
which they could not hope to have
again they deliberately took advantage
of the opportunity to deprive the ma
jority of the people of this state of SO
much of their power in the election of
President and vice-President."
GAS | said before. continued Mr..
Rich, michigan is still a Republican
state. The dismal results predicted of
the Mckinley bill have not been rea-
lized, and the people now know how
the question was misrepresented by
the opposition, and not only cannot be
deceived again but will resent the I'M
position of year ago. There were
very few of the acts of the last legisla-
ture that commend themselves to the
people, and the enactment of the elect
oral apportionment and Kerosene oil
bills will cost them many votes which
they received at the last election"
.''What do you think of the feeling
towards Blaine in the stateY'
"I think the ma ority of the Republi-
cans now favor Blaine's nomination if
he is able and willing to take it. There
are also many who do not always vote
the Republican ticket who favor
Blaine's nomination and election. In
addition there is almost universal adj
miration for Blaine owing to his reel
procity idea, which has made him
many friends. There is once in q
while man who is against Blaine be-
cause he is afraid some home industry
with which he may be connected is to
be sacrificed in the interest of trade,
but they are but few in number. My
opportunities for learning the feeling
toward Mr.. Blaine outside the state,
except from the papers, have been linn
tied, but as far as | know what has
been said in regard to this state will
apply throughout the country. l was
talking with prominent western New
York politician not long since and with
out giving his own preference he said
there was some strange things about
Blaine's following. He said that very
many of Conkling's old friends were
now devoted to Blaine. | asked him
how he accounted for that and he re-
piled that they were men who admired
bold, progressive leader, and the
same qualities which caused them to
admire Conkling caused them to sup
port Blaine"
''What is the feeling toward the pres
cnt administration IN your opinion,
Mr.. RichY'
"There is not much being said about
it, but never knew an administration
where there was less adverse criticism
than the present, and when the matter
is mentioned there Is almost always
some one who is ready to tell of some
act of the administration which he
thinks is worthy of especial common
o., dation. On the whole, think the adj
ministration of President Harrison i
growing i'm public favor and will result
m materially strengthening the Repub.
lican party next year, let the nominee
he who lie may