Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-22

SENATOR srooKBkIDGK's SUCCESSOR.
E.-Gsv. Luce and Mis Boom-Ths Cenins
Session of TIE Lsgisiat.rs.
osnsspopAsncs OF TIE Kvsnins sssr
0AAD RAPrDs, NICE, December n, 1854
Ths state canvassinG board has completed It's
lsbers In % far - the Congrsssmen are con-
csrned and has issued certificates Of election
accordingly. The winners Of the prizes and
thar respective pluralitiss ere: First district,
Chapman. 2,7o6; second, German. 66A; third,
Burrows. Sass; fourth, Thomas, I, 106, fifth,
Richardson, 10; sixth. Atken, LIT; seventh.
Whiting, 523, eighth, Linton, l,525, ninth,
Moon. els; tenth, weadock. $50; eleventh,
Avery. 2,S21. and twelfth, Stephenson, 8, 423.
OF the Representatives Eve are democrat
Chapman, German, Richardson, Whiting and
Weadock-and six are new men-Thomas,
Richardson, Aitken, Linton, Moon and Avery.
J. Maurice Tim, democratic populist candi-
date In the twelfth against Mr.. Stephenson, an
noanoeo earlier In the season that he would
make contest on grounds Of gross frauds and
violations OF the law on election day, but 1t IL
doubtful If he tries to disturb the present in
cumbent In second term. In the fifth district
on the face OF the returns Belknap was elected
by plurality Of seventeen. recount Of the
In Kent the republicans controlled the can
wasting board and by throwing out eight Rich
ardson votes accidentally left ont Of the box by
the republican inspectors in one township
Belknap was given a net gain Of six In Ionia
the democrats controlled the situation and
richardson's net gain was sufficient to over
come the seventeen plurality shown on the face
Of the returns and. the six net gain made In
Kent and give him q plurality Of ten. The Ionia
canvassing board completed its labors three
days after the Kent board adjourned. In the
recount over 900 ballots were thrown out as
fatally defective, not to be counted for either
party. As soon ~ the Ionia recount was COM
pleted the returns were hurried to Lansing,
where the state canvassing board was in session,
and certificate Of election was issued without
delay. Mr.. Bslknsp will hardly contest for the
seat In the democratic House.
CANDIDATES FOE THE SENATE.
The senatorial contest is growing in interest
as the time approaches for the legislature to
assemble. Ex-Gov Luce has his headquarters
here in the Office Of Delos A. Blodgett, the mil
lionaire lumberman, and 10 an occasional visitor
there. His campaign is in charge of John W.
Blodgett as chairman and manager and Milo d.
Campbell rs secretary, and two photographers
are constantly kept busy writing letters. Mr..
Blodgett bases his hopes for success upon what
he says IL the overwhelming sentiment of the
people in favor Of Luce. He gives no figures,
one ballot will do the business. As matter of
fact Mr.. Biodgett is entirely too sanguine. The
only way that Senator Stockbridge can be de-
feated is by bolt. and this to he successful
will require twenty-five republican members.
Stockbridge will have a substantial majority in
the legislative caucus, il not enough to elect in
open session.
Ex-Gov. Luce attended the meeting Of the
state grange in Lansing last week. He was for
several years at the head of the organization
and the grange gave him valuable assistance in
reaching the gubernatorisl chair and no hopes
for a continuance Of these fsvors until after
the senatorial matter is disposed of. In the
annual address Of Thos. MARI master of the
grange, on the subject Of needed legislation
grounds were taken that inclined several degrees
toward the Luce senatorial BOOM Mr.. Mari
held an sppointive office under Gov Luce and
the two farmers have been lifelong friends.
Zone OF the evils that should be removed from
the legislative proceedings is the caucus sys-
tenn he said in his address, whereby the
mere partisan majority Of one may dictate the
policy of the state and control the election OF q
United States Senator. 1t is this system which
enables men who have neither character nor
ability to obtain seats in the Senate by the
improper use Of great wealth frequently OBJ
tanned by disreputable means. Abolish this
system and representatives can no longer plead
the caucus as an excuse for outraging and mis-
representing an indignant constituency long
this important position for their ability and
not for the amount Of money they may have
or control"
THE GRANGE AND FARMER LUCE.
On the closing day Of the session one of the
delegates introduced resolution requesting
the republican members of the legislature to
elect farmer to succeed Senator Stock5ridge
The farmer to be elected was not named in the
resolution, but there was no misunderstanding
as to who was referred to, and Mr.. Luce him
self occupied q seat in the hall. Several
speeches were made in favor Of the resolution,
and it seemed in a fair way Of going through
with rush, when Thos. F. Moore Of Lenawee
protested against involving the grange in any
movement savoring Of politics, and he attacked
the resolution SO vigorously that it was tabled
by a large majority. Soon after Mr.. Luce re-
tired and took the next train for home.
The next legislature will convene January 4,
and upon taking his seat every member will be
filled with the best of intentions to make the
session short and businesslike. In repeating
the measures passed at the last session by the
democrats and in passing partisan measures of
their own the republicans will not experience
any material difficulty because OF their large
maiorities in both houses. In dealing with
other problems, however, they will not find the
gait quite so rapid. The local enactments will
take more time than all the other
lawmaking combined, and there is a
strong sentiment in favor of placing
municipal corporations under general laws and
giving to each corporation the right of local
sef-government. The road system of the state
will be oyerhauled. The liquor laws will be
amended. The mortgage tax law requires
tinkering. The election law will be improved
as experience shows the necessity Of it. The
bankers will ask for the adjustment Of the
three days Of grace and for a law making
Saturday half holiday. The labor interests will
ask for several measures, and the grange last
week adopted resolutions asking for enough
laws to fill book.
ARE AMERICANS IMPLICATED.
1t is Said That the Panama Scandal will