Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-10
THE MICHIGAN sENATORSHIP.
Result Of the Contest Between Luce and
>tockbridge.


Correspondence Of Tho Evening say
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Jan. Z, 1898.
Senator Francis b Stockbridge will succeed
himself. II was SO decided in the republican
legislative caucus. The contest was in many
respects one of the most interesting in the his
tory of the state.
The legislature assembled Wednesday at noon
and VIM. Aldrich Tateum. a Stockbride man
was elected speaker of the house with a large
vote to spare. Thursday night the senatorial
caucus was held and it was an exceedingly lively
and interesting session. George Wagner, a
Hubbell man, Was named for chairman and
then the Luce men put in a demand for an open
ballot, tactics which long ago we're outlined and
upon which the Luce forces depended largely
for their success
The Stockbridge men conceded the point
with a willingness that rather dazed the opposi-
ton. who expected by the antl-millionaire cry
to bluff the farmer legislators into voting for
him.
The presentation speeches were made and
then the roll was called. The result OF the roll
call was known throughout the country the fol-
lowing morning.
Stockbridge received forty-eight votes. clear
majority Of nine over all other candidates in
the Held. Luce, for whom SO much had been
claimed. received only twenty votes. aubbell
upper peninsula republican members voting
for him. Hartsuff, Ramsdeli and Spaulding,
each two. Fitzgerald. Cutcheon and o Dom
nell. each one. The result was received with
the widest cheers and applause and a commit
tee was sent out TO bring in Stockbridge. Luce,
Hubbell and the other candidates who received
votes.
Stockbridge and Hubbell were easily found
and came into the hall arm in arm.
Luce. who would have been easy to find il the
result had been different could not be located
by the committee. Hubbell, who led the Ferry
bolt in 'S3 and who would not have hesitated to
lead another if necessary upon the present occn-
sion, made happy speech and warmly con-
graduated Stockbridge upon his nomination.
Gen. Hartsuf who received two votes. from a
position in the gallery did likewise and the
session closed a glorious love feast
Had a second ballot been taken Stockbridge
would have undoubtedly received enough votes
lature voted for Senator The Hubbell men
would have gone over to him and he would
have received all the other scattering votes
The size of Luces vote on the first ballot
represented his entire following in the camp.
As stated in a former letter, Luce had been at
no time n senatorial probability, but all the
opposition hoped for was that he would attract
enough votes to insure the defeat of Stock
bridge and elect dark horse. At no time was
he really in the race.
The action of the senatorial caucus will be
formally ratified on JANUARY II, when Senator
Stockbridge will be triumphantly reelected.
1t has been intimated several times and from
various sources that Gov. Rich vii! take care of
Mr.. Luce by appointing him to some lucrative
Office within his gift. He has been mentioned
az the next commissioner of railroads, but
these rumors have not vet been confirmed and
will not be until Gov. Rich hands down the
names Of his staff.