Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-05
ON THE FIELD
The Senatorial Battle
Wages Holly.
Stock bridge a First
FavOrite.
Wild RumOr of With
drawal.
The Legislature Duly
Organized.

LANSING, Jas. 4.-'Governor Luce
will not know 10 Is in it," quoth ex-
senator Sharp Of Jackson IN tns
Downey. "Hs VIII tie up his little
boom and take il to his farm, and II
won't trouble him to carry 1t either. "
This, in reply to 3 query as TO the ex-
governors cnances OF winning the SEN
atorial prize
In and about the hotels and in the
spacious corridors Of the Capitol little
knots Of legislators, Iob-lot statesmen
and shrewd politicians gathered at the
slightest appearance of excitement to
discuss the all absorbing topic.
The formal opening of the legisla-
ture created no unusual interest for all
attention was riveted on the senatorial
contest. Everywhere the probable re-
sults of tomorrow nights caucus was
the theme for discussion. The burden
OF opinion seemed to be that the Luce
men were IN . hopeless minority. but
were keeping up front with an ainlless
purpose TO do something unexpected
Aha sCU-allOual W Lcl suc t4iAtc - Ilpc.
Luce's Chances.
said Ex-Governor Luce, his hands
folC.ed over the most prominent pOr-
ton of MS tlghtly-DuttVned Prince Al
bert:
"Up TO this hour my chances are
fairly bright. During the day things
have occurred to strengthen my conf
dence. These may not indicate my
success nor Mr.. Stockbridge's defeat,
but they are very gratifying to me and
my friends. You may publish this.
but do not mention any name," and
the ex-governor nervously unfolded hls
hands TO greet q long haired arrival
from the up-country.
III am not saying anything" ner-
vously calculated jimmie Coye. "You
see If say nothing. then I'll have no
explanations TO make II il don't 60 my
way. SEE? But I'll give you q tip
look out for Luce"
Luce? Well, nv dear boy, his
chances are so remote that he'll forget
20 recall tho fact that be was IN the
hight OF 'o3. StOekbridge will have 3
walkawsy-a walkaway. l said" ana
George Mcbride e Grand Haven
pushed his semi-sombrero over TO the
other side OF his mead and smiled be-
nlgnly.
Rumored withdrawal.
About O'Clock a rumor was started
that the Luce men, with Tom Palmer
presiding, had held a secret confer
euce and discussed the situation. The
ramor had Il that Luce was 10 be with
drawn and tho opposition consolidated
on new candidate.
This sent a thrill OF expectant tri-
umph through the StOckrIdge contin-
gent. Judge BGrch, Fred ). Clark,
John Patton. Jr., and T.. ID. Conger
were holding down the chairs In the
committee rooms. while scurryIng mes
sengers fitted IN and out, bearing mes
sages of mysterious import. A new
and unexpected turn had developed.
The lists OF names Os legislators were
brought forth and 4 new recast of
probabilities prepared. The way Il fig-
ured ont was. On the fr:t ballot Jaw
Hubbell of fIOughion will receive 10;
Luce. Is; O'Dounell, J; HartstuH. ,;
Gardner. l. Burrows, 3; stOc<bridgc.
IS; the remaining votes scattered.
This arrangement seemed TO iii the ex-
pectatons of the more confident
StOckbrIdge men and they were posi-
tive IN stating that their leader would
win on the first ballot
one OF the more conservative ones
ssIi. "This arrangement Is subject 10
fluctuations. Luce may receive few
more votes than credited and Stock.
bridge less. The other votes will vary.
Gardaer u not IN the field at all and
other 'favorlte sons viii reap few
scattering votes. With all allowances
We expect TO win on she frat vote"
steming the Tide
SO soon "a the rumor of Luce's With
drswsl had obtained currency his fol-
lowers set to work to stem the smbar-
rsssng drift. As the Stock bridge
spirits rose 30 the Luce spirits went up
notch.
"Nonsensel" impstiently exclaimed
Secretary Campbell. "Mr. Luce e IN
the race 20 stay TO the finish. He will
be there until = choice is made, sure.
Colonel Fred Fsrnsvorth was seated
At table IN the Downey. ON one side
sss Tom Palmer. on the other side
Secretary Campbell. There's nothing
M tne report cf Luce's withdrawal. IL
a cansrd. III we can nave an open
caucus We viii nonina him. II We
fsli s. 30 80 We will ABIDE the decision
Of the caucus. II q closed caucus -
enforced We cannot tell what some Of
the opponents Of secrecy vii do"
"wiil they bolu'
"I cannot say A few of them may
do 81. Whether enough TO affect the
result cannot say.
Captain Gsvett. whose winning smile
iilrnlnad hrs cOuutenance through a
cloud u tobscco smoke. ssrCssticaliy
exploded. "Fudge StOcsOr dge sin't
In L This Withdrawing business SIT
tura cut sex for his crowd.
er.sd Rapids 10 TIRE Front
Il vas observable that the utmost
good nature prevailed despite the ia
tense excitement which prevailed i'm
nnediatsiy sfter tne rumor 0f luce's
withtrswsl had been announced. To
wss also ob=ervsble that the nfth dss-
trict raen seemed % have the coGn-
dsnce Of the leaders ~ larger extent
thsn others On the Luce roster were
% be fou1d the names OF Wihsu Al
den Smith. SyhFsnt Wesselius, Col. +.
4 Bishop. tiecfg- = Fsrr snd Joha ~.
piud gstt. N'n tne -tockhridgr ii-t were
Judge ". G. Bureh. Fred :. CLARK, p p
J. Lesg1er., +. p. Couger, Fred a.