Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-10
STATESMEN'S TRAINING SCHOOL.
Many of Michigan'> Leaders Graduated From
the Legislature.

the Legislature.
Special Corres,ondence of The Evening Star.
GRAND RAPIDS. Mich. May g. 1893.
4 stranger in Lansing after an inspection of
the state legislature in session would not sus-
pect it, but it is nevertheless true that the
Michigan legislature has been the trairing
school for many Of the statesmen whose names
are most prominent in the annals of Michigan.
OF the governors who have occupied the exc
eutive chair nearly all began their public
careers ; members of one or the other houses
OF the legislature.
OF the Senators from Michigan a majority
served an apprenticeship in the state law-mak-
ing institution. OF the Congressman fully
nine-tenths obtained preliminary training In
Lansing before going to higher duties in Wash
ington.
Gov. Rich first represented his constituents
Is n member of the county board of supervisors
and then went to the legislature; took a term in
the senate: served in Congress one session and
Is now in the gubernatOrial chair in training
possibly. for the United States Senate in 1899.
Gov Winans career almost the same ex-
cept that he did not serve in the state senate
Gov. Luce went through both branches of the
legislature and skipped Congress.
Gov. Begole served in the house and then in
Congress.
Gov. Jerome was state senator. Baldwin
senator's.
was In both house and Congress before becom-
ing governor. McClellaud. Bingham Ransom.
Fitch. Barry and Woodbridge all served in one
branch of the legislature or the other before
going up higher.
The only exceptions 70 the rule are AIger.
Bagiey, Wisner ard Mason. and as Mason was
the states first governor he can hardly be
counted.
Alcer obtained his nomination and election
chiefly BY reason OF his iberality in contribute
I'll,
wealthy tobacconlst and was nominated rs a
business mans candidate and elected because
the state was overwhelmingly republican in
those days anyway.
OF the United States Senators from Michigan
all but Mcmillan, Chandler. Cas-, Lvon. Nor
veil and Parker served in one branch OF the
legislature or the other
StOckbridGe served in both houses. Palmer
COnSer. Baldwin and Christi.tncv were in the
state senate. Ferry served in both houses be-
fore going to Congress and then to the Senate
Howard. Bingham. Stuart, Fitzgerald and
Eiich were Repre- 5cntative5 and Woodbridge
was in the Senate.
Lyon and Norven were the first Senators
from Michigan AMI Parker was elected on the
second round. and all these hal been active in
territorial politics before Michigan had become
state.
Carr had been territorial governor for fifteen
years and Secretary OF War before the state was
admitted. and that "a sufficient apprentice
dler was a party manager and directed the af-
lars OF the republicans long before his services
were requIted by an election to the Senate.
McNlIlln served his party first as q contribu-
tor 10 the campaign funds and then chair
man OF the state committee and financial
backer.and the senatorial honors were bestowed
upon him As a reward of merit
VI the delegation IN Congress for the next
session Mr. Atkins of the sixth and Mr. Bur-
rows OF the fourth the only ones who have
he of fho IL r.,
last Congress Mr.. Burrows and Capt Belknap
were the only exceptions. and in the Fifty
nrst U Donneil. Burrows and Belknap were the
missing members
Going back over the list of Michigan Con-
gressmen the numbers who have served in the
legislature are far in excess Of those who have
not
THE PRESENT LEGISLATURE.
The present legislature is not by auy means
remarkable Tor ability or brilliancy, but on the
roll are number Of fedgling statesmen who
will doubtless in the course Of time devel-
ope their wings and make higher flights into
public life. Ihos. T. Ba-kworth OF Jackson is
probably the most CONSPICUOUS example He
l. the leader of the democratic minority in the
house and IL is probable he will be the nominee
for Congress from the Jackson district next sea-
SOL. Mr.. German. the present incumbent has
lust entered upon his second term and it Is ex-
pes.eI he viii step aside next season and give
Ar. B5rkvorth chance. A. ). White. repre-
sentative from this city. is likely to be demo-
Cratic nominee for Congress to succeed Rich
ardson. who VIII hardly be nominated again.
VIM. AlIrirh Iateum. speaker of the house. is
figuring or being the republican nominee for
Congress from this district. Wellington r.
Bart. senator from Saginaw. il spoken o. as tho
democratic caudida.e 10 run against N.Y. LIN
ton who carried the district last fall Geo
Wagner of Marquette Tav contest with Nr.
Stephenson .o- the republican nomination in
tie twelfth district. There are other congress
siouai possibilities anon, .he law makers now
In Lansing and also some possibilities sor state
Officer. but aside from those mentioned none
are Yet well developed