Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-21

Ex-Gov. Luce Will Oppose senator Stock
bridges Reelection.

Dr1oSes he-electfOn.
Correspondence of The Evening star
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Nov. 20, 1892.
The election of a United States Senator to
succeed Francis B. Stockbridge to the next
legislature gives every promise Of being an ex-
ceedingly interesting performance. On joint
ballot the republicans will have majority Of
AZ to 46, depending upon how the contested
seats are decided, and 1t is needless to say the
next Senator will be republican. Mr. Stock
bridge is just closing his first term and thinks
he is entitled to q second, but ex-Gov Cyrus
G. Luce disputes his claim, and for more than
a year has been setting up the pins with the
view Of succeeding to the seat In the recent
campaign both candidates were active in pro-
noting republican success. Mr.. Luce stumped
the state and Mr.. Stockbridge not only went
on stumping tour, but he contributed 81, 600
to the state campaign fund and sent money
into the doubtful legislative districts where it
would do the most good
Mr. LUCE HOLDS A CONFERENCE
Mr.. Luce held a conference in this city last
week with his most ardent supporters and at
this conference the plans for his campaign
were formed. Among those present were
Milo ID. Campbell, his private secretary in the
executive office. and who will be his private sec
rotary in Washington if elected to the Senate;
F. j. HAYNES of Port Huron, Judge NJ. Brown.
Big Rapids; Gen. Daball. St. Johns; Chas.
Quick, Lowell; Geo. A. Farr, Grand Haven;
Newcomb McGraft, Muskegon, James NJ.
Shepard, Cassopolis; c. A. Cover, Lansing;
VIM. A. Smith, John W. Blodgett, Chas. w.
Watkins Smith g. Ketcham and Jas. A. Caye
OF this city. Mr.. Shepard is ex-senator Thos.
W. Palmer's private secretary, and his presence
emphasizes the fact that the feeling between
the president of the worlds fair commission
and Michigans senior Senator is several de-
grees lower than cool.
WHAT MIR. LUCE CLAIMS.
At this conference Mr.. Luce opened his
bosom. and calling over the republican men,
bers-elect of the next legislature, put pins
against the names of ffty-four Of them as
pledged to him. This is thirteen less than the
necessary majority Of the legislature, but it is
ten more than a majority of the republican
members-eiect, and if the senatorial question
Is settled in caucus. az usual. he will have
cest-iron cinch on the seat that Senator Stock
bridge now occupies. He admitted, however,
that his pathway to Washington was not en-
tirely clear
As a result of the conference it was decided
to insist upon an open ballot in the legislative
caucus, and from this time on the followers of
the farmer governor will preach that doctrine
throughout the state When the legislature con-
venes In January and the republicans get to-
gether it will soon be discovered whether
MIR. LHce's hopes rest on a solid Foundation or
only on sand.
SENATOR sTOCKBRIDGE NOT WORRIED.
just before election $. s. Dds, private secrs-
tary and chief wire puiler for Senator Stock
bridge, stated that of the republican legislative
candidates IN the field seventy-six we're pledged
TO Stockbridge. Since the election neither Mr.
Odds nor Mr.. Stockbridge has said word as
10 tie senatorial complexion of the lawmakers
who survived the ballot box ordeal. From
sources very near headquarters, however it is
given out that Mr.. Stockbridge still counts u
substantial ma jority in the caucus and that Mr..
Luces claims do not alarm him IN the least
In the canvass Mr.. Luce il depending largely
for success upon the pull he has with the
farmers. Mr.. Stockbridge is depending upon
hlf eminent services in the recent campaign
and upon his liberality in contributing to the
campaign fund.
IN CASE or A DEADLOCK.
If either side should develop sufficient
strength to make deadlock. as occurred ten
years ago, when Senator Thomas W. Ferry was
defeated Tor a third term. and il hould be
found impossible to agree upon either of the
candidates. dark horse will have TO be trotted
out. Deios \. Biodgett of this city. who has
just divided 81 500 900 estate into three parts,
giving his son oHe-third his daughter another
nentiy mentioned as II possibility and would
receive the Luce votes. Congressman Julius
Cesar Burrows of Kalamazoo and Congressman
James O'Donneli Of Jackson, just defeated for
a third term, are also spoken of.