Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-28
SITUATION IN MICHIGAN.
The Campaign for Governor and the
Senatorial Contest.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, July 20, 1894
Most of the county conventions prelimi-
nary to the republican state convention in
this city next Tuesday have been held, and
the denomination of John T. Rich for gov
ernor is as nearly certain as anything can
be in politics. He will have in the neighbor
hood of 600 votes on the first ballot, and the
remaining $50 will go to Mayor Pingree of
Detroit, Col. A. r. Bliss of Saginaw and
Judge j. T. Ramsdell of Traverse City,
their relative strength in the order given.
Pingree has Wayne county's solid delega-
ton of ITO and few scattering counties
about the state, and will command about
200 votes. Bliss has Saginaw county at his
back and enough delegates more to make
him about an even 100. Fifty votes is
high estimate to put on the Ramsdell
strength.
The preliminary canvass has been an ex-
ceedingly warm one, not by any means
free of personalities. Gov. Rich has had an
immense advantage over his competitors.
and when the circumstances are recalled IL
is not surprising that he should come out
on top. He has had the advantage. not
only of tradition and sentiment, but of sub
stantial conditions as well. Ever since the
state was admitted to the Union il has
been customary to bestow denominations
upor men who have served with fair sa It's
faction. Gov Mason, the first governor.
served two terms, and from his day to this,
with democrats and republicans alike. the
two-term rule has prevailed. This political
tradition has aided Rich very ma terially in
his canvass, and has been the one thing
which the opposition has found hardest to
combat: The removal of the three officials
for malfeasance in office in cOnniving at
and abetting the salary amendment frauds
has aided Rich. especially when il has been
diligently promulgated that a denomination
would be a vindication and approval of
his course. while his defeat would be to
lend moral support to the rascals.
Favored by the nbOr Element.
Mayor Pingree denies that he has other
aspirations than to be the republican cam
didate for governor. hut it is highly proba-
hle, If he is defeated in the republican con-
vention. he will be, that he will be
placed at the head o. an independent ticket
OF the industrial type. He was the choice
OF all the leaders in the populist convention.
and was only defeated there through the
obstinacy of the middle of the road contn-
gent. He is the choice of a large labor ele-
n,ent In Detroit Grand Rapids and other
cities III placed at the head of an indus
trial ticket he would cut a pretty wide
swarth.but the votes that would come to him
would be taken as largely from the demo-
Gratis as the republicans, probably more 50.
he would receive large votes in all the
cities but in the rural districts. the strong
hold OF the republicans, the farmers would
vote for Rich.
The temporary chairman of the republican
l.
Hastings. He is young man of considera-
BILE oratorical ability, president of the Mich
igan league of republican clubs, and has
aspirations for Congress at some future
day. Ex-President Harrison is expected to
he In Michigan next week, and a special
effort will be made to secure his attendance
Senator James Mcmillan will be reelected
chairman OF the state central committee
but II Is doubtful IL he will attend the con-
vention. for the double reason that his SEN
atorial duties in Washington will Re press
ing, and that he may not become unduly
ontangied In the factional fight
Congressman Julius Caesar Burrows has
come out as a candidate for United States
senator for Senator Stockbridge's unex-
ptred term. John Patton is the present
incumbent by appointment, wants the cleo
ton, and will make hard fight for it. and
Will be aided in every way possible by Gov
Rich. Mr.. Patton has no political claims
worth mentioning, while Mr.. Burrows has
lots OF them. and Burrows will give Patton
hot chase for the honor. Mr. Burrows
will stand as a candidate for reelection to
Congress this fall, and IL elected will re-
sign his seat in the lower house to move I'D
a peg.
The democrats have not begun campaign-
ing to any marked degree thus far and
will not until September or October. and
even then very mildly. The chairman of
the state central committee. whose selection
was left to the state central committee and
Candidate Fisher. has not been named and
no names are mentioned as possibilities