Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-18
1T WILL BE A LIVELY YEAR
More Politics to the Acre Than Wheat o,
Potatoes.
Tho Outlook in Michigan-Facti0ns
Dividing the Parties-Men
Who Are I'm the Lead.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

michigan Will nave more pONtlc9 10 the
acre this year than potatoes or wheat. Both
democrats and republicans are tangled up
with internal discord and the populistN and
industrials will be in the field as factors.
Nun. erous complications will arise. and, as
to the result. that is beyond guessing.
The democrats are by the ears over the
referee system. One faction is self-styled
the administration element. although, as a
matter Of fact. 1t represents little more
than a small circle Of patronage dispensers
who. in their days Of glory. worked under
the wing of Don NJ. Dickinson.
The other element is called the anti-ref-
cree. and is opposed to the administration
element, and has for its chief ieutenants
l.. E. Rowley. Geo. Watson. Fred Bruc,,er
and r. r. Blacker. Dan J. Campau. chair
man of the democratic state central COM
mittee. and Michigan's member on the ma
tional committee, is at the head of the other
faction. and his chief supporters are Thorn
as E. Barkworth Of Jackson, George p.
Hammer Of Holland. Peter Doran of this
city. and Governor Winans The split origi-
mated in the distribution Of the federal pat
ronage in Michigan. and the story has been
told too many times to need repeating now.
The anti-referees have decided on Congress-
man SuoliA ~. w HltlliS VI the seventh QlS-
trtct as their candidate for governor, while
the administration force have not yet found
patriot willing to face the music in con-
vention and what looks like sure defeat at
the polls.
Spencer o. Fisher Of Bay City has been
suggested. but Mr.. Fisher has a weli-de-
veloped bump of caution and IL is not likely
that he will mingle to any extent in the
fight. The administration will not make so
much Of fight on candidates as on reso-
lntiOnS nok ut fhx,
central committee, and they are the very
points which the anti-referees will stick on
The administration will want Cleveland
policy Endorsed. silence on the patronage
question, and straddle on finances, while
the others will not ask that Cleveland be
criticised and may even consent to silence
on the burning question Of patronage, but
Will insist on strong silver plank. In the
matter OF the party machinery, as both Mr.
Dickinson and Mr.. Campau have lofty am.
billions. both will desire control of the state
central committee for use in 1896. In the
factional fight the anti-referees gained the
first round in having the convention called
for June % In this city.
The administrationists wanted a late con-
Ventlon, that the angry passions now exist
Ing might cool, but did not carry their
point But In victory the antis weakened
their cause as 1t laid them open to the
charge of being ''snappers." The conven-
ton In this city promises to be full of in
terest and excitement and unless all signs
fail. 1t will be fight for blood, with Cam
pau and Dickinson as the chief contestants
both eager for the upper hand.
Strife Among Republicans.
While the democrats are fighting. the re.
publicans are far from the enjoyment OF
perfect peace and harmony Governor
Rich has fallen short Of being a model ex-
ecutive. He has ignored. neglected.. or de,
serted friends. and his administration has
In II many vulnerable points. He wants a
denomination. and within the past two
weeks the opposition has been centralixing
and crystalizing.
Col A. T.. Bliss, ex-Congressman from the
Saginaw district, has come out as a candi-
date. and Mayor H. 8. Pingree Of Detroit
Is looked upon as a Barkis. Col. Bliss, In
carefully written letter, bases his candi-
dacy not to any sins of commission or
omission on the part of Governor Rich hut
solely on the one-term-for-governor plea
He Is a millionaire lumbermAn, has a gal
liant war record, and in politics has long
been active and influential He has nu-
merous strong Endorsements and IL given
time would develop a very substantial boom.
Mr.. Pingree is a political puzzle. 1t is diff
ncult to tell when, where or how he will
break out. He is opposed to Rich. and has
been throughout. and II not himself a cam
didate. might throw his strength to Bliss
ana II a candidate but not nominated by the
ticket put up by the populists or indus
trials.
Until the last two weeks Rich did not
have an obstacle worth mentioning in the
way OF his denomination. The announce
ment that Bliss would be candidate and
the recent hostile demonstrations of Pingree
have put different phase upon the situa-
ton. With certain denomination in pros.
pect, Mr.. Rich and his friends were content
to have the nominating convention put off
until September, but now an early conyen-
ton is manifestly desirable to prevent the
opposition getting together too strongly
The state central committee will very soon
be called together to decide on the time and
place Of the convention and IL the admin.
istration has its way, the date will not be
delayed beyond the middle Of July or early
August Some OF the strongest opposition
comes from the state Grange, 20 which
more than any other influence, he owes his
eleva ton.
Ex-Gov. Luce is bitter against him and
will 40 all he can to bring about his defeat
In convention or at the polls. Thos Mars
and ri. ID. Platt both high In Grange
circles. are against him, and also VIM Ball
The state militia-at least the rank and file
Is against him because he distributed the
military patronage to political workers rath.
er than to men In the service who deserved
prefe rment The Swedish and Cornish ele-
mcnt can and will be turned against him
because of his unceremonious dismissal OF
Hambitzer and Jochim. The Industrial
|
his corporation and railroad record. He Is
confcssedly weak candidate and with the
extravaganza and scandals of his admins
tration. could easily be defeated. II the
democrats were united, and were II not for
the hard times
An industrial conference including repre-.
sentatives OF labor unions. the Grange and
similar organizations. viii be held In Lans-
ing. July 2. 1t is probable that no ticket
will he nominated Mt this conference. hu,
the situation will be talked over and the
ACCESSIBILITY of future action be discussed
The Detroit industrials are in favor of IN
dependent political action, and name Mayor
Pingrae as their choice for governor, hut
other parts OF the state are opposed to the
action.
POpulist Convention. ~
On the day following the populist state
convention will be held also in lansing and
at that convention a ticket will be norli-
mated. The party, as party, is in disrepute
in this state, and in the campaign two years
ago cut very Insignificant figure. In Its
ranks are few representative men who
could with credit be placed at the head OF
the state ticket. 1t is within the posslbili.
ties that Mayor Pin%ree will be named as
the nominee. His known opposition to cor
pordtions, his position on silver. his strong
pull with the labor element and his soldier
record, combined with his picturesque career
as mayor of Detroit. would make him ac-
ceptable to the populistS, ana. If nomina ted
even If not Endorsed by the republican con-
veution later. he would give Rich an ex-
ceedngly hot chase for the election. Mr.
Pngree and his doings as mayor are known
iCCa ia1 do