Evening star., 1895-02-26
SILVER IN MICHIGAN
Both Parties Demanding Some Definite
Utterances.
Republicans and Democrats Alike
Dfvided-Chnnces of the Conn
ing Campaign.

fully. The resolutions presented merely re-
affirmed the platform declaration Of last
summer without going into details In re-
gard to the financial faith Of the party, and
indorsed the action of the Michigan dele
cation in Congress. The resolutions were
presented very late in the day, after all
the nominations had been made and many
of the delegates gone and when those who
did remain were hungry and tired after a
session which opened at o'clock and did
not close until after 8 o'clock. 1t was too
late, and everybody was too willing to es-
cape to contest the adoption OF straddle
resolutions. and only one voice was raised
up against the proceedings. The fact Is
there Is a very strong silver sentiment IN
the state and 1t is rapidly growing. Four
teen county conventions to elect delegates
to the state conventions adopted free coin
age 10 to 1 resolutions and ex-Gov. Luce,
James NJ. Turner and Judge j. G. Rams
dell, pronounced silver men, were elected
by their respective districts to the commit
tee on resolutions. The silver sentiment Is,
of course, strongest In the rural districts,
but it is developing in the cities, and 1t Is
only q question of time when the party
will be obliged to declare itself one way or
another, or have a mighty row to contend
with. The row will undoubtedly come any
way. and the party will be divided on the
financial question, but the hour Tor part
ing has not yet arrived.
The Democratic Convention.
The democratic convention will be held
Thursday, February %, at Saginaw. 1t
will not be a very cheerful assemblage of
patriots, and the Indications are the at
tendance will be small. Chief Justice John
W. McGrath will be renominated for the
supreme court. If he will accept it. and
anybody who wants the regency nom1na-
tions can have them for the asking. The
convention will probably declare pretty
arolyy in ff
even though such resolution will be blow
at the present administration. The plat
form adopted last summer is mildly silver
in tone, but the silver advocates will not
be satisfied until the declaration is en-
phatic and unequivocal. While the plat
form last summer had leaning toward
silver the campaign was conducted, by
order of Don NJ Dickinson, on an absolute
ly free silver basis, but the weIl-known at
titude of the administration counteracted
any virtue there may have been In the
campaign policy in catching votes. While
there is large free silver sentiment in
the democracy, there are many who be-
lieve in the gold standard. and, like the
republicans, the democrats will be badly
divided.
The Republican Ticket.
The republican ticket. with Judge j. B..
Moore for justice Of the supreme court and
Boyer w. Butterfield and Charles H. Hack
ley for regents Of the State University, is
eXceptlOnally StrOnS, ana tu0 present HUI
cations are that it will be elected. though
probably not by so large a majority as
Gov. Rich secured last fall. The democrats
are SO thoroughly disorganiZed, dissatisfied
and discouraged that they will not put up
any sort of a fight. and the election will
practically go by default. The republicans,
on the contrary, are thoroughly organized
and entirely confident and this feeling will
go long ways toward carrying the cleo
ton.
The prohibitionists have nominated Myron
H. Walker for justice of the supreme court
and adopted a platform containing a free
silver plank. The most notable feature of
their convention was the retirement Of the
craftsmanship Of the state committee Mr..
Russell Is pioneer in the prohibition
movement, presided over the first national
convention, and has long been active in the
cause. He has been chairman for eight
years past, but was retired last week, be-
cause he was lone idea man." whereas
the party thought more progress and ener-
gy should be brought into the race. NJ. ].
Tanning Of Jackson was elected his success
sor.
Gubernatorial Candidates.
Congressman D. D. Aitkens of Flint has
entered the list of gubernatorial candidates
for next year, although he has not as yet
positively announced himself With ex-
Congressman James O'Donnell Of Jackson
who is also a gubernatorial candidate, he
shares the honor of being one Of the most
Gates in the state, and in the republican
convention crowds last week he was very
tusily engaged In piling wood for future
consumption.