Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-12
MICHIGAN'S MAJORITY
It is Many Thousands More Than
the Republicans Wanted.
STAY-AT-HOMES WERE RESPONSIBLE
The Dominant Party is Confronted
With a Serious Situation.
ABOUT SENATORIAL CHANCES
special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, November 49,
The republicans carried Michigan last week
as 1t has never been carried before. The
victory was larger by many thousands than
they expected; larger, In fact, than they
wanted. The plurality is in the neighbor-
hood of 100000, against a previous best
record Of $1,000, and the next legislature
Will have a democratic representation of
only one member in the house. An exam
inatlon of the returns shows how the VIC
tory was won. The democratic stay-at-
homes did it. In only three districts, the
first, second and fifth, did the republicans
make gains, while in all the districts the
democratic vote fell far below the vote of
two years ago. In the eleventh district, for
instance, two years ago the democrats
polled 1603S votes, and this year 1854. In
the twelfth district the vote two years ago
was 1864, and this year 4,245. In the
seventh district the democratic vote drop
ped from 10, i25 to G,SI5, and in the eighth
from 1855 to 5,G97 In the fourth the drop
was frCm 2O,2l5 to 1O,0iG in the fifth from
2O12O to 1O,016: in the ninth from 1908 TO
AGO, and in the first from 2O,239 to 1920.
The republican vote was much below that
of last year, but the republican loss did not
begin to compare with that of the demo-
cratic. The republican decrease is easily
accounted for from the fact that this is
off year, and in those districts where the
republicans were sure of success little eff
fort as made to get out full vote.
The democratic slump is attributable to
the hard times, disgust with the adminiStra-
ton, and, more than anything else, to the
referee system, which deadened enthusiasm
and engendered apathy. In distributing the
federal patronage in Michigan Don NJ Dick
inson was given a monopoly. He used the
patronage the effort to buill
SOnal machine. He ignored local leaders and
managers and in recommending appoint
ments took advice from the referees whom
he appointed for each district and did not
consult the wishes of those who in the past
won such victories for the democracy as
they can claim. 1t is noticeable that in the
districts where the referee system proved
most obnoxious the democratic slump is
heaviest. This is especially noticeable in the
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, eleventh
and twelfth districts. Another potent in
fluence in the election was Fishers aflia-
ton with the "A. L. y. He denied all rela-
lions with that secret order, but the fact
that he had been coquetting was too well
established to make his denial effective.
The Catholics did not go near the polls as
protest.
Republicans Seem Troubled.
Now that the republicans are victorious
they are really troubled to know what to
do. The situation for them is more serious
than they are willing to admit. 1t will be
impossible to shift the smallest fraction of
responsibility upon the wicked democrats
for the sins of omission or commission of
the next legislature, and grevious errors
are sure to be committed. OF the members
of the house only about 80 have had
previous legislative experience, while 20
will be entirely new to the law-making
business In the senate there will be only
10 old heads and 22 new. OF the new mem
bers many will be from districts which
ordinarily are reliably democratic and who
were nominated merely because they we've
willing to make the run. Inevitably there
will be much unworthy material in the
legislature and the party leaders are look
ing with some apprehension upon the
record they will make The first important
problem that will come before the new
legislature viii be the election Of speaker
of the house, and then will come the scna-
tOrial elections. The overwhelming nature
of the republican victory has very nearly
obliterated the line upon which former cal
culationS were made, and from now until
the legislature meets, in January, there
will be lively scramble for new combine
tons.
The candidates for the speakership are
w. ID. Gordon of Midland f. G. Chamber
lain and +. l.. Waite of the upper panin-
sula, and j. I. Campbell of InSnam. These
all served in the last session, and two years
ago VIM. AldriCh Tateum of this city, a
new member, went into the speakerjhip
race and won against several experienced
legislators who had aspirations, but 1t is
hardly probable any new member VIII win
this year, even If any such enter the race.
The SpeakeTShiR contest will undoubtedly
be one of the most interesting episodes IN
the session, and the large number Of mem
bers who were not expected to be in it Will
Complicate matters very materially.
The senatorial Scramble.
On the senatorial question the same con-
dtions exist. Senator Mcmillan will I'M
doubtedly be reelected without contest,
blf fgr ba To N at = &c
ferent. The avowed candidates are julius
Caesar Burrows, Senator John Patton, S.
S. OlGs, Sdm'l. NJ. Stephenson and Jay Hub
bell. Burrows and Patton have been max
ing an active stamping canvass; OIds has
been working in way peculiar to himself,
While the upper peninsula candidates, Ste
phenS0n ana fuDbeu have Deen waiting
to hear something drop. The flood of MEM
bers whom nobody ever expected would
be in position to cut any ice in the sena-
tCrial contest has found the fences down
in every direction, especially for Olds and
Burrows. These two are old and expert
enCed politicians, and are not in the habit
OF wasting energy where the prospects for
a return or the investment are dubious
The tidal wave has been a good thing for
Patton, and while a month ago he was not
in it to any particular extent, his prospects
now are very bright. During the campaign
he made forty speeches, and his tour in
cluded all parts of the state. He went in
to the doubtful districts anu those in which
ii was thought the democrats had a cinch
as well as those which We're looked upon
sure republican, and everywhere he went
the impression he made was most favor
able.
PattOn's Chances Appear Good.
With legislature practically unanimous,
containing at least twenty-five more votes
than the republicans counted on, on Joint
ballot, the fact that Patton is in possession
of the senatorial seat, and that he is en-
inently qualified for the office, will be an
important factor. Gov. Rich will be in
terested In having his choice ratified by the
legislature, and the executive influence will
be brought to bear in Pattons favor A
Potent argument against Burrows will be
that as the next Congress will be republi-
can, he will be of far mere use to the state
in the House than in the Senate, especially
as he is in line for the craftsmanship of the
ways and means committee. AS between
Burrows and Patton. viewed in the light of
recent events, Patton is ahead, and his
strength will increase. 1t is needless to
say that there are endless possibilities in
the way of dark-horse candidates.
-o--
Charge Dismissed.
The court-martial ordered in the case of
Capt. Samuel K. Schwenl, United States
army, retired, has been dissolved, and the
charges against the officer have been dis-