New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-05
MICHIGAN BACK IN LINE.
ACTS PASSED BY DEMOCRATIC TRICKERY
REVERSED.
THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE BILL FOR THE ELEC-


TON OF ELECTORS ON GENERAL TICKET
Detroit. Mich. June 4 CSpcciaD.-In the fall OF 1890
the Democratic party OF Michigan without the nd OF
fusion with any other party carried Michigan on 'he
STATE ticket for the first time in thirty years. They
elected thcip candidate for Governor. +. Is. Wlnans
and the rest OF the State officers. The House OF Rep
rcsentatIvcs became theirs by substantial WORKING
majority But the Senate, which consists OF thirN-
two members divided. When the session Of 1871
opcned there responded to the rollcall fourteen Ike
publIcan Senator'S twelve Democratic Senators and
civ Senators who were elected by combinations oi
Patrons OF Industry, Democrats and Prohibitions's
Tho Democrats II they could have won over all the
fsonists but one would have had just enough VOTES
TO carry any plan they desired to enact INTO w
But they were unable 10 accomplish the COALITION
Enough OF the fusionists remained Independent 10
for,n tho balance OF power between the two parties
The session proceeded with considerable iariihg'
though the senate check served 10 prevent the passage
NJ mn rtisan legislation Contests started against
two Republican Senators by their Democratic oppo'
nents, but the majority OF the Committee on 'oh-
tested seats was made up OF two Republicans ana one
Independent. and report on the contests had oeeh
made up 10 the last Of February.
The Republican State Convention was held al JACK
con on February rs. and all but three OF the Re
publican Senator's. after securing promises from The
Democratic leaders that the contests would not d.
brought up I'm their absence. went TO the cohVenoh
The Democrats had been waiting for this opportunity
and had laid their plot WELL The mlnohty OF the
Committee Contested Seats reported In favor OF
unsea,Ing the two Republicans. the three Republican
Senators who present protesting vigorously with
their own twelve and four Independents, who had
cone over 10 them, the Democrats lacked one vote
OF a Quorum. The three Republicans tried 10 break
the quorum by leaving the hall. but the Lieutenant
Governor. presiding. counted them as present anu
voting "ayc". Thus the committee report was
Ropuh wei III
tesants who had been secretly brought TO the capital
tho night before sworn in the committees re-
organized; the record falShcd to show quorum ana
the steal was completed within less than an hour Wheh
the Republican Senators returned from the convention
they found every branch OF the state government III
the possession OF the Democrats.
The Ncrors exercised their stolen powers oy
ne,,lv reyolutionilng the forms OF the state govern
mont and by g,rrymantrring the senate. Representa-
tive and Congress Districts In the hope OF insnrhs
continuance OF control. The legislative g'rryI1nder
was aferward declared invalid by IN" supreme Conrf.
But the browning ciiot Of pariiSanship was wAa'
wos known as The Miner Law Early in the session
Representative John Miner. OF Detroit introduced ana
had passed 10y the House bill which provided that
thereafter the Presidential electors should be chosen
hy districts irsicad OF by the old way so long uni
vri sally adopted by the states OF the Union ms
bill directed that elccor should Do chosen 10y 'h
pcoul of each OF tho twelve Congress districts; ana
80 districts for the two electors AT large were hu'
by dividing the state practically In halves by line
running north and south. Thus one OF these us
rcts at large was made surely Democ rattle the other
Republican. Il WIS expected that through this bill
the Demncry.s would BE- able 10 secure at least hall
tho fourteen electors OF Michigan's college The sen
aie passed this bill after a prolonged light III when
arbitrary rulings and fictitious votes were used as IN
the contest for possession OF the senate.
The signing Of this bill BY the aroused III"
Ind I'm he Whatever
lave been the sentiment NJ the people n to the cor
RICHNESS 81 the electoral theory upon when this u"
was based they felt that the Democrats aware tha'
the STAT was normally Republican, had stolen the op
portuny 10 secure some electoral votes from The
state at the election Of that really should nav"
belonged TO the Republican Presidential candidate
t,rrat efforts were made 10 overthrow the Miner law
Int AZ last the United states supreme 'onr' declared
constitutional. and the popl" accepted " rs ih"V"abe
for In. election Of last November.
Euf f. was the great and ovcrShadowing issue Of the
campaign IN Michigan and the result Of III" election
completely showed tat the people were determined not
20 accept the district system Of choosing Pr"sil'h'
electors While all tho Middle Western states around
her went crashing upon the rocks In ID" great storm
that swept the National Republican party from power.
Michigan stood sieadnst. The Democrats secured
hn five Of the electoral votes. ia" Republicans
nine. Upon the total vote Of tn" STATE, Harrison
wa, vIcorons Is 4O412 votes. The ~ At" officers had
round maiOri.s and the legislature wa, Ov"rwh"lm-
ingly Republican. The liou>" stood. Republicans.
sixty nine Democrats thirty one: the -cnat" stood,
Ecrrhl!cans. twrn,y.onc. Democrats. eleven II wa
IN this legislative victory that III" Rcpibcan party
reed the mandate Of the people that tl" partisan acts
u the Democratic Legislature Of 1891 should BE- r.
p,alcf.
The change back TO the old system OF choosing rre,i
dental electors on n general Ticket quickly
effected 'Tl" Legislature which has Just adjourned
took early occasion 10 repra The Miner law ana 10 re-
~ ni.t tod