The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-12-01
An Unioue Position.


Three men from Michigan met a
day or two ago at q New York Ho-
tel and discussed the political situ-
alton in their state.
One was United States Senator
James Mcmillan, Republican, who
managed the recent campaign,
Another was William e. Quinby
(Democrat), United States Minister
to Netherlands. The third did not
give his name, but devoted his time
to a discussion of the possibilities
for fun In the new Legislature In
Michigan.
The situation Is unique. The
State Senate is composed wholly of
Republicans. The lower house has
80 Republicans and one Democrat.
The one Democrat is John Dono-
van, OF West Bay City. He is all
that the party saved out of the re-
cent political earthquake In that
State, which sent q solid Republic
can delegation to Congress, elected
Republican Governor by some-
thing like 100000 plurality, and did
other things according to the same
scale.
"Mr. Donovan" said Senator Nc
MILAN, "is a sober, thoughtful, earn
est man, who does not appreciate
the fun which every one In Mich
igan Is trying to make out of the
fact that he Is the solitary Demo
crat in the Legislature"
"Did such a thing ever occur In
any State before ?" a reporter for
the New York Times asked the
Senator.
III guess not in any Northern
State" he said. "The situation is
80 unusual that everybody laughs
| 1t is customary for the minority to
have representation on all the com.
mittees. Probably the rule will
have to be changed this year.
"There are two United States
Senators to be elected this winter
OF course, Mr.. Donovan may 60 In.
to caucus as q minority and n0mt.
nate two Democratic candidates
The power of absolutely determln.
ing two candidates for the United
States Senate who shall receive the
unanimous support of the party
they represent seldom comes to any
one man."
"Will the Legislature consider
measures which will become strict.
ly party measures?" asked the
third man from Michigan.
"I do not see how it can," said
Senator Mcmillan. "Suppose 1t did
and the minority wanted to make
a motion. Who would second it p
"There's a precedent on this
said Mr.. Quinby, "if I remember
correctly. There was once only
two members of the minority party
in the State Senate. One of them
was sick and the Senate adopted
a rule to hold good during his alb
sence that motions made by the
minority requires no second"
"They may do that this winter in
Mr.. Donovan's case," said Senator
Mcmillan.
"He cannot bolt the party caucus
said the third man from Michigan.
"No," said Mr.. Quinby. "Thert
will be no factions inside the
party"
"Nor can it be charged agains
him that he is so lacking in indie
pendence as to be absolutely bount
by the minority caucus" said tn,
third man.
"No," said Senator Mcmillan.
i "At the same time, he must eth
er refuse to vote or support abso
lutely the dictates of the minority,
suggested the third citizen from
Michigan.
1 "Precisely," said Mr.. Quinby.
"He will be the leader Of hi
party on the floor of the House,
remarked the unknown.
i Certainly" said Senator Nc
MILAN.
"He ought to have lot of ful
out of the session." said the re
porter.
Everybody else Is having tn
fun, but 1 presume Mr.. Donovan
wishes it had been made unanl
NOUS" said the Senat0r.-St. Losss
Republic.