Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-09-26
7---7-7-'77- - = -
POLITICAL PROSPECTS.
Judge Hurch Gives u Careful Survey Of
the Situation.

Judge Hurch Gives u Careful Survey of
the Situation.
The continued hot weather is enough
to take all the political enthusiasm out
of any man. Judge Burch maintains
lively interest in the political situa-
tiou however and yesterday said to
reporter for the HERALD:
$50 far as the situation IN this con-
gressionai district is concerned, if there
was 10 be general election this year. |
think 1t would be Republican year.
Everything points that way, all over
the country. But this congressional
contest must of necessity be, to large
extent. personal, and be governed Il
great deal by the popularity OF the op-
posing candidate. The Democrats Seem
to be quite ut sea as to candidates, and
public opinion as To their candidates
doesn't seem to crystalline, or 10 settle
upon any particular one, even TO the
extent that it does with the Republt-
cans. They have two or three reason
ably strong men, whom they might
put forward. Mr.. Uhl is one,
Senator Doran another, and Represen-
tative Richardson, of Ottawa county,
still another. The two latter are sup
posed to be especially strong with the
labor element and with the farmers.
But Mr.. Richardson seems to be sort of
handicapped by the recent convention
putting him in nomination, because If
he accepts its nomination, he may incur
the displeasure of a large number OF
Democrats, while if ne delays an ac-
ceptance until the Democratic cOnven-
ton meets on October s, il will be un-
favorably regarded by the labor people.
Whether Mr.. Uni will accept the noml-
nation, or Senator Doran be put III the
field, remains to be seen. Either of
them would undoubtedly poll fair
vote. The Republicans will not be thus
embarrassed. Wnile there are many
candidates, and nearly ali of them very
good ones. it is rather my opinion that
no particular one can justly feel sure OF
the nomination, until after the Demo-
Gratis have made their selection. If the
Democrats should select man from
Kent county, it seems to me
probable that a Kent county man will
be selected by us to oppose him: while
If the Democrats should nominate Mr..
Richardson, ] believe the Republicans
would nominate Senator Ferry, or Mr..
Dekema, of Ottawa county. | find
there is a strong sentiment IN favor of
Senator Ferry, manifest in different
parts of the district, but hardly be-
lieve he would be nominated if the
Democratic nominee should come from
this county. do not hear much said
about other Republican candidates
from this county tnan William Alden
Smith, Aaron Clark, of Caledonia, and
encouragement Belknap, although /
do not know that there is any avowed
candidacy on the part OF any Of them.
Mr.. Smith seems to be mentioned most
frequently OF the three, among those
persons whom l have happened to
meet, but as have not been octside of
the city, l can not say how strong the.
feeling may be for Mr.. Clark or Mr.
Belknap in the county. know that MIR.
Clark has q strong following and many
friends in the southern part of the
county, and l have understood that
there is very friendly feeling
for Mr.. Belknap IN some local.
tiles, and it Is claimed that it
Is more common in lonias county
than almost anywhere else. Still, il
should Judge from what have heard
| would consider Mr.. Smith rather IN
the lead, that lie, in case the candidate
should be from this county. OF course
no enc would feel sanguine enough to
predict definitely the result, either as to
nominations or election at this early
date. Large numbers of Republicans
| feel friendly to all the Republicans |
nave mentioned and our only interest
| is to find out who the most available
| candidate is and to select that man
| without fear or favor. Some few have,
doubtless. fully made up their minds,
but hardly believe the race will be q
| sure one for any candidate for nomina-
| ton before the 9th of October. have
! not been about tina district enough to
know how large turnout there will be
| at the election, but should not be much
surprised Il il called out very full
vote; aud upon full vote, "a matters
| now stand, | believe the district will be
Republican. We have passed the oil.
year period. and we are entering upon
/ the general election period, and IN gen.
eral elections the Republicans OF every
portion of Michigan arouse themselves,
aud often surprise people.