Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-12
ROMANCE OR REALITY
Of the Miner Law to Be Argued in
the Michigan Court To-Day.
A SQUAW AND A POLICE JUSTICE
Raise Big Fuss and Suddenly Become Of
National Importance.
DRAMATIC INCIDENTS OF CAPRICE

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPATcH.l
LANSING, MICH, MAY ia squaw and
police justice have raised big fuss in
Michigan, the effects of which may reach the
whole country and change the methods by
which Presidents are chosen. The details
are being told by eminent attorneys in the
Supreme Court here, and no one can guess
the result. The joint bluff of the Indian
woman and the white man in this case stand
out as prime example of what even ordi-
nary people with nerve may do in impor-
tant matters, without knowing the meaning
of their acts. The queer play which demon
strates this fact has lasted for more than a
year here, and after many shifts the combi-
nation has finally reached the highest tri-
bunal in the State, and anchored itself
there. Now that the lawyers are playing
their part, the people who nave regarded
this by-plav of politics as funny only, are
beginning to see how rapidly apparently
harmless words can grow into dangerous
ones
Political quarrels between the two lead
ing parties are so common in the different
States that they arrest very little atten-
tion. But into the one now on are woven
90 uEdIudllC 1uClutHIS Ol
caprice and endeavor among the people in
this primitive land kissed BY the wind and
washed by the waves of four wonderful
lakes, that if there were nothing else in the
controversy it would make an absorbing
story.
Merely the Beginning of the End.
There is touch of reminiscence in it all,
recalling old-time scenes in Washington
during reconstruction DAYS, when women
were called in to play the pathetic dodge in
politics. At first this case appeared like a
joke, and these breezy people went on
hunting for money until Knocked down by
bald emergency. Then there was music,
money and effort without stint, and the end
is not yet
Truly, "great events may turn upon
slender hinges" The truth of this saving
is to-day before the topmost court of this
State, and upon its decision waits matters
of great import to the whole country This
territory inhabited by wolverines is bv no
means alone Interested. The scenes which
began like farce, soon changed to melo-
drama, and the last act, now being written,
is almost certain to finish with even more
serious lines
Were it not for the grave questions which
are up for decision this legal contest over
what is simply known as the Miner law,
and the incidents crowded about its enact
ment, would be humorous enough for a
comedy without single dull line. But the
problem the squaw and police Justice
created is of such moment that every State
in the Union is deeply interested in the
scene now set in the court room of the State
Capitol Dry constitutional propositions
are in this instance relieved by most re-
markable chain of circumstances which the
country at large does not seem to know
much about.
Importance of the Miner Law.
Again, no one seems to have paid very
much attention to the miner law" which
they created. Should it stand the test of
the courts it will destroy the precedents
that have been accepted as law by all the
States for more than 30 years, and by most
OF them for twice that length OF time
The incidents which bring about this
very Singular state of affairs are very cur
iously woven together by the pale face and
the Indian woman. The first act began
long ago, in the northern part of the State,
when dusky maiden of the trail was taken
for wife by a man named Friedlander,
whose career and habits at that moment ran |
quietly along with the wild elements of
that part of the State. He, as the story
goes, made his living by association with |
the Indians and in following their ways. |
Many stronger men than himself had |
',jined drives with an Indian maiden, and |
did not object to the association. As rule |
they Jared well by the partnership. The |
dusky spouse always did her full share of |
the work, as well as holding her end up in |
the game of providing. Then, she was not |
expensive. A blanket, some gauGy calico |
now and then, and few beads touched the |
limit of her wants, and things moved along |
swimmingly in that nomadic life.
Civilization Is sure to mar such a COM
munion. As settlements became numerous |
its light dawned upon Mr.. Friedlander, and
he dritted away from his red friends into |
lower county. In due course of time he
welded lady OF his own color and Joined |
hands with the civilization about him, leav-
ing the Indian wife and the fruits of their
union on the old hunting grounds, where
they had been happy together. She did not |
murmur, and probably never would have |
done so, had not the demon of politics made |
it desirable that she should speak and act |
new part
Democratic Ascendency in the State.
Michigan two years ago went Democratic |
for the first time in many, many years. The |
Governor, all the State officers the Supreme
Court, and the lower House of the Legisla-
ture hung at the Democratic belt as trophies
gathered on the political war path. But the
Senate was one Republican, and here was a
bar to all legislation calculated to change
the Republican methods of so many years
standing. 1t was necessary to have one seat
TO make Democracy supreme. As long as
its opponents could keep their men ali in
hand, it could not be reached. There were
many funny scenes surrounding the by-pIay
which kept both sides watchful and the
Democrats hunting for flaw in the Re-
publican hedge.
Friedlander now became the star actor
His position in the new community where
be anchored after leaving his Indian home
had reached the dignity of Senatorial aspi-
rations. The fight between him and his Re-
publican opponent was so close that Fried
lander contested the seat when his rival was
declared elected, but the contest could not
be heard as long as the Republican ghost of
one vote stood in the way
One day the Democrats caught the Re-
publicans mapping, and, while one OF their
men was absent, the case was called up.
The Senate was now a tie. The Democratic
Lieutenant Governor had the deciding vote.
OF course, the Republican was ousted and
Friedlander anchored in the seat he claims
to have been cheated out of by the Repub-
lican Returning Board. Talk about scene,
the Republican camp was full of them, and
red fire was turned on them all.
The Squaw a Valuable Acquisition.
The squaw and the half-breed children
were now valuable, if not necessary to the
Republican end of the play. She was
found in her far-away home, brought to this
city, and took the stage as an injured wife,
much as Eliza Pinkerton, with her gaping
wounds was lugged before the investigating
committee at New Orleans to illustrate the
cruelties of the Ku-Klux.
The new part was revelation to the
women of the reservation. She Jared we'll