The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-06
DICKINSoN'S OFFICE TRUST.
MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS UP IN ARMS
AGAINST THE REFEREE0 sYs7HM

| The Hon. Ex-Portun-ter.GeneraiO rgArtzed
| hoard to Pass O- Federal once a D.
| plicatiors, and They Have Looked Dat
for Fnvorites nnd Let Az Other Demo-
| Gratis Whistie-DIckiasoa HeId 60 Blame.
GRAND RAPIDS. Mich. March 5.-Don M.
| Dickinson as spoils distributor Is not an I'M
| qualified success at least in tho western part
OF this State. With the Inauguration OF Cevs-
! land Il was given out that all political favors
from Washington would come through his
| hands. None but those whom he favored
| would be appointed to Office As the medium
| for the distribution Of the ofIlces Mr.. Dlckin-
| son. had he acted with judgment. was In
! position to strengthen the Democracy here.
Not only that. but no could have built up
| strong personal following Hell sadly lacked
the necessary discretion, and as a result the
party in this State is disrupted as It never has
been before and the dissatisfaction Is grow
ing greater and more bitter each day.
Instead OF openly and frankly accepting the
trust reposed In him by the President and per-
sonally debating the appointment Of Federal
ofIlceholders In Michigan. Mr.. Dickinson has
preferred to delegate his powers to subordi-
mates, and upon these subordinates he has be-
slowed an undue amount Of confidence In
western Michigan tho appointments. instead
Of coming direct from Mr.. Dickinson. are
made to come through the hands OF what lie
called q Board Of lieierees. The referee sys-
tenn is something which Mr.. Dickinson him
self invented. and is in vogue in other State
in the Union. The referees for western Michi-
gan are Dudley o. Watson OF Coopersville. N
A. Fletcher OF this city. Thad Il Preston OF
Iona. and II. H. Dlacker Of Manistec These
referees were named by Mr. Dickinson. All
candidates for Post ofIlces had to illo their ap-
plications with them. and bring influence to
bear upon them. Tho referees were to certify
THAR Chnipa for n oflpa n Mr. nickinaon
Mr.. Dickinson was to forward the application.
with his approval. to Washington. and the
plum would then drop.
The first act OF tho referees upon entering
upon their duties was TO secure tho appoint
ment OF Referee Watson as Collector OF the
Port at Grand Haven. Of Referee watson's
father ln-law as Postmaster OF Coopersvile.
and OF Referee Preston as Post master OF Ionia.
Having thus cleared tho decks the referees pro-
ceeded to more business, In naming candi-
dates for Post Offices. the referees totally
ignored county or local party organi.
come forward with the solid endorsement Of
OF the Republican patrons Of the ONCE. but the
referees would Ignore al the endorsements
ann name sGr 5he oGe ,or
ment would DO made This is what was done
at Montague. and the same policy was pursued
Revenue for western Michigan. Numerous
other In stances might be cited. The referees
conferred upon them by Mr., Dickinson. and
have entirely ignored tho wishes or desires Of
Il Is needless to say that the good Demo.
Gratis In this state have been FESTIVE under the
corners aud have threatened to hold indiCnS:
ticn meetings and to forward protests. but
heading OH these DEMONSTRATIONS here. The
Muskegon Democrats have not been so man
yAnti0n adnntad resolutions N whiNh
cite that the President has seen fit to place
gan under tho control OF body OF mon known
as referees. ignoring every party organization
Gratis to select Tor themselves those who
than tRs fsesidont should hsVs BEEN s 80 un
MicSi9sn bsmocTseS. and we Deem it to ' he
assoS . es State Of to ,hs % Rs
resolutions further denounce the referee. sys:
tenn as undemoSSratie and not honest and
Che spirit Of American government" a. "a
State" and declares that " Democrats cannot
must not and shall not be ruled by such men
The resolutions close with denunciatlon OF
Referee ID. O. Watson. and cay:
resnon sibillty for the establishing and main
tanning Of the referee system and hold him
responsible for the widespread dissatisfaction
which now exists in our party in this State"
Muskegon county Democrats are the first to
openly protest against the referee system but |
now that the ball has been started. practically |
every county in this part OF the state will he
heard from to the same effect as opportunity |
offers. With the scandals OF the present state |
administration to contend with. tho Republi- |
cans OF Michigan are in no condition TO mako |
an aggressive fight next fall. but with the dis |
satisfaction which exists among the Demo- |
Gratis on account OF MIR. nickinson's referee |
system. they will not be Obliged to make a very |
hard tight to carry everything In sight