Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-01-10
DONOVAN is ON DECK.
LONE STAR OF BAY TAKES THE
LEGISLATURE BY STORM.
Honors Thrust ON Him Thick and Fast
and He Does a Little "Jo1lying"
Himself-Given Choice of Seats-His
Own Caucus Disagrees.
Novel Opening Incidents.

Novel Opening Incidents.
John Donovan, of Bay, the lone star OF
the Michigan Democracy, who has been
in the ascendant since il was discovered
that he had the entire minority of the Leg
islature of 1895 concealed about his per-
son, reached his zenith Wednesday. Since
he was discovered by the political astron-
omers couple of months ago he has Civ
en- evidence of the possession of so many
bright and shining characteristics that
no one will be surprised il he takes on a
still greater luster as the days go by.
Wednesday was Donovan's first day in
the Legislature, and he made the most Of
it, while his colleagues made the most OF
him. Donovan is a man of good hard
sense and great modesty. He tried his
best to keep his effulgence from eclipsing
that of the ninety nine lesser stars about
him, but the latter insisted on its being
brought into active service on every oc-
casion.
Donovan sought the Capitol early and
alone. He modestly took a seat away
back by the lobby rail in Representative
Hall. He hid behind newspaper, hoping
thereby to escape publicity, but had not
been in the room five minutes before the
newspaper men proclaimed his presence
and that ended his seclusion.
First Call for Donovan.
"John Donovan of Bay" called Clerk
Miller, with unusual emphasis and lung
power, and as he did so a round of ap-
plause that ratified the windows was
given. Donovan rose up slowly, bowed
his head in acknowledgment, and moved
up the aisle in dignfied manner. He
signed the roll with firm hand and took
the oath. AS he passed to his seat the APP
plause again broke out. From that time
until an adjournment was taken later in
the afternoon John Donovan of Bay was
constantly in evidence.
After the noon recess the work of Sc
lecting seats by lot as provided by an act
of the last Legislature was about to be
commenced when Representative Camp
bell of Ingham moved that Donovan be
permitted to take his choice of seats be-
fore the drawing began. The motion was
carried with cheers. whereupon Donovan
Of Bay made his first speech as legis-
lator. He simply returned his sincere
thanks for the courtesy and expressed
the hope that he might prove worthy Of
the honor done him. His modesty was
again manifested by his selection of seat
IS, in fifth row from the front, next the
aisle.
Representative Chamberlain of Gogebic
congratulated the minority on his consis-
tency in sticking to odd numbers. Dono-
van retorted with the remark that "there
is luck in odd numbers" and proved it a
moment later when his name was one of
the first to be drawn from the box.
Does a Little JoIIying Himself.
When the vote for Speaker was taken
Donovan jollied up his ninety-nine Re-
publican colleagues by bobbing up when
his name was called and voting for Judge
Gordon, the Republican nominee. He
was given three cheers and tiger for
this, and the welkin rang again moment
later when Gordon retaliated by voting
for John Donovan, of Bay. Donovan was
made a member Of the committee to cs.
cort the Speaker to the chair, and the
cheers broke out afresh when he and the
Speaker marched down the aisle arm Al
arm and ascended to the Speakers chair
Donovan came to the front again when
he was made a member of the joint COM
mittee of Senators and Representatives
to inform the Governor that the two
houses were ready for business, and Gov
Rich received him with marked considera-
ton. Having set the pace by voting for
the Republican Speaker, Donovan still
further increased his popularity by voting
for all the Republican caucus nominees,
remarking as he did so that the Democrat.
ic caucus was unable to agree upon a slate
To Have a County Named for Him.
In the Senate Donovan's fame was add
ed to by Senator Clapp. who gave notice
of the introduction of bill to change the
name Of Dickinson County to Donovan
County, and the chances are that the
change will be made.
In the afternoon Donovan called at the
Hotel Downey to pay his respects to
United States Senator Mcmillan, who
was holding a reception there. Mcmillan
received him with open arms and insisted
on his removing his overcoat and sharing
the honors with him for the balance of
the afternoon. He occupied front seat
at the Mcmillan caucus in the evening,
was one of the first to congratulate the
Senator on his denomination, and 1t Is
given out that he will vote for him, and
thus for the first time in the history of the
State will man be elected United States
Senator by unanimous vote of the Leg
islature.
He was top-notch guest at the spread
rendered the Legislature by Senator Nc
MILAN in the evening and had the best
time of any one present. 1t was truly
Donovan's greatest day and he made the
most of it. While conducting himself In
the manner of an intelligent, well-bred,
dignified gentleman, he made himself the
most popular member Of the Legislature
and for the balance of the session he has
simply to push the button and his col
leagues will do the rest. Donovan has
captured every one of them and they stand
ready to give him the earth.