Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-18
MICHIGAN.
A Battle for Supremacy In tho Upper Pc
Observation-Disclosures at Work.

Battle for Supremacy In tho Upper Pc
Observation-Disclosures at Work.
Correspondence Of The Evening sta.
GRASD RAPIDS. MICH. October le, 1881
In some Of the Michigan congressional dis
triots the contests are absorbingly interest
ing a. any box Of monkeys could be, and as yet
the horoscope does not clearly outline what the
results will be. The twelfth district fight IL
one Of the prettiest In the Michigan assortment
This district is composed of the upper penin-
suls, and within its confines lives Jay A. Hub
bell Of per cent assessment upon government
employees fame. This district vas once the
stronghold and bulwark Of republicanism. In
the election Of 1884 1t was the country beyond
the straits alone that saved Michigan for Blaine
and elected Gen. R. A. Algsr governor Of the
state II gave republican majority Of nearly
$500 and this overcame the adverse plurality
OF $500 rolled up in the lower peninsula. Two
years later the upper peninsula did not do
quite as we'll, the republican plurality dropping
to 1000. and 1t has been dropping lower and
lower each succeeding year. In the republican
landslide year Of 1888 the plurality was only
1900 and the industrials polled 900 votes cut
ting the majority down TO 1 100. Two years
ago had the opposition combined the republi-
cans would have lost the upper peninsula, al
though the heavy republican msjorities In the
three lower peninsula counties then attached
to the district would have elected the Congress-
man. The vote stood 1922 republican, Is, 172
democrat and 1887 industrial, leaving the re-
publicans 1877 in the minority. This year the
democrats and the peoples party have united,
and the combination Is making II interesting
for the republicans.
BIDDING FOE THE VOTES. e.
The democrats have gone to the upper penin-
sula for two candidates on the state ticket and
an elector-at-large and the republicans have
been equally a. generous. The democrats have
been rushing speakers through that part Of the
country and the republicans have not been
sparing with available talent TO instruct the
voters. Judge Morse. the gubernatorial
nominee, made an upper peninsula trip in Sep
TENDER, and John T. Rich. the republican
nominee, will do likewise The upper peninsu-
paign, the republicans striving 70 hold their
own and the democrats to capture II. Both
are confident Of the result, but the surface indi-
cations Just now point to . democratic victory
in that rock-ribbed section Of country. The
past year has been dull one in upper penin-
sula business and industrial circles. Many Of
the iron mines are shut down, the copper
market Is depressed and the lumbermen are
transferring their camps and logging oper-
atoms to the Canadian side Of the line, where
stumpage Is cheaper. Many men are idle and
business is dull, and the conditions have been
b
democratic ideas. The Australian ballot sys-
tenn is in vogue in Michigan and the republic
cans may well be alarmed at the prospect.
IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
The fourth district is another interesting
field Of action. This district, as at present
constituted, returned a republican plurality
over the democrats of LOGS on gov
ernor and IT'S on Congressman two
years ago, while the populists polled 1904
votes and scattering ,419. The democrats and
populists have combined this year on George
L. Yaple, while the republicans have nominated
DR.. II. F. Thomas. Both candidates are con-
Quoting very vigorous campaigns and both have
ample assistance in the way Of speakers. The
democrats are especially DESTROYS Of electing
Mr.. Yaple, who made q brilliant mark in Con-
gress as a free trader when he defeated Mr..
Burrows about ten years ago, running on the
fusion democrst-greenback ticket. The repub-
icans are equally anxious to beat him, but if
the vote two years ago is any criterion, while it
is possible they might beat him singly, yet their
chances Of success against the combination are
doubtful.
This, the fifth district, is still another baili-
wick around which hoves many uncertainties.
1t was carried in 80 by the united greenback-
ers and democrats by plurality Of less than
500. and 1t remained in the democratic column
until 'S8, wheu Capt. Chas. E. Belknap was
elected by plurality Of 2, 800. In 1890 1t went
democratic by 1880, and one year ago in
special election called to fill vacancy Capt.
Belknap was reelected by plurality ot2 zoo,
with the peoples party in the field polling
nearly 8 900 votes. This year the democrats
and populists have combined on Geo. F. Rich
ardson and Capt. Belknap is the candidate on
the other side. The republicans have unearthed
the fact that Mr.. Richardson is in the employ
OF railroad as . tax agent, with q salary Of
$3.50 month, and are using this against him
among the anti-corporation element, and espe-
cially in the city, where Mr.. Richardson is not
well known. In his career Capt. Belknap has
not escaped making many and influential enc
ardson's railroad engagements and Mr.. Belk-
maps personal enemies the contest will be close
and the result interesting
Mr.. BURROWS EASY TIME.
The third district contest is in teresting chiefly
for the picnic that Mr.. Burrows is having
Two years ago, when the democrats had pretty
nearly everything in sight, the district returned
q republican plurality Of over 1000 for the state
ticket, with 1900 populist votes in the boxes.
This year the democrats and populists are each
going it alone, and Mr.. Burrows will be elected
by plurality anywhere from 1000 to 5000, and
won't have to raise mis- finger to bring about
tn is result, either
THE LABOR VOTE.
The labor organizations in the state, acting
Of democrats, republicans or
populists, are taking lively interest in politics
In Muskegon they have taken Q decided stand
against Whitelaw Reid and 1t is said the same
attitude will be struck in other quarters. In
this city the Central Labor Union, composed of
delegates from all labor organizations, have in
vestigated the record of G. J. Diekerna, the re-
publican candidate for attorney general when