The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-10-30
The Circuit Judgeship.

An interview" with Selden S. Miner
by the city editor of the Owosso Argus
republished with proper comments il
the Livingston Republican of the 2ls
of October, seems to have been recently
called to the attention of Mr.. Miner, and
thereupon he promulgates another "in.
terview," which he causes to be publish
ed in the Owosso Daily American of the
22d inst.
In this second interview" there is nc
denial of the main facts stated in his first
interview, which were that he was not a
candidate, that the business of Judge
Smith had been scattered, and that un.
der all the circumstances, Judge Smith
"should enjoy another term"
1t has made the occasion, however, to
draw away the minds of the voters from
the fact that Mr.. Miner gave his deliber-
ate verdict in favor of the candidacy OF
Judge Smith.
Mr.. Miners first interview may be con-
sidered to have been written and pub
lished by himself for the purpose of ac-
quainting the public with his view of the
matter, for Mr.. Frueauf, the "city edi-
tor" was really only his amanuensis and
acted for him in the publication as much
as he did for the readers of the paper.
For long time after the PRONUNCIATION
OF this first interview Mr.. Miner contin-
ued to act with the republican party and
as member of the judiciary committee
of that party foisthe 35th judicial circuit,
in the fore part of August, joined with
John Cummiskey, of Howell, and Odell
Chapman, of Owosso, in signing the call
for the republican judicial convention to
be held ct Corunna, Sept 10th, at which
time Judge Smith was nominated.
1t is, therefore, an interesting inquiry,
"When did Miner afterwards become sat-
isfied that Judge Smith should not be his
own successor" In accepting nomina-
ton against him he had deliberately de.
clared that he did not think that Mr..
Smith should be chosen Nay, by doing
so he has put himself actively in the way
OF endeaUOring TO defeat his being chosen.
When did such a radical change of
mind occur? He does not now content
himself with mere negation, but has gone
into active opposition
Was it when he found that he could
not get the nomination for himself from
the republicans?
Or was it at last at Byron where the flu
sion judicial convention was held?
1t will perhaps matter very little as to
the time, but the special treasonableness
of the transaction will certainly challenge
!
But we are wandering from the thought
with which we began, viz: The attempt
by the second "interview" to draw the
minds of the voters away from the real
facts by claiming that the republication
Of the interview is intended to make peo-
pie think that Mr.. Miner has withdrawn
from the race altogether, and is so effec.
tive in that behalf as to cause him to de-
ny that he has done sol
Is there anything of that kind in the
interview or the proper edi-
torial comments that accompany it?
The first interview is dated the 10Th
lay of June, 1896, and all the declara-
ions of declination Off there are any are
Of that date. This was before either can
lidate was named for the judicial Office.
The whole sum and substance of the
natter is that certain statements publish
I'd in republican paper as having been
made by Mr.. Miner in favor Of the candi-
lacy of Judge Smith on the 10Th of June
asst, as an attempt to make people think
hat he has abandoned the effort to be
elected and is voluntarily out of the race!
All, Mr.. Miner himself knows that that
8 not the purport, expressed or implied,
If the article appearing in the Livingston
1t did not design in any
manner to carry the idea that Selden S.
Miner had resigned his place on the flu
ion ticket, but rather to show that he
ought to do so even at this late hour and |
before the popular verdict is rendered
lgainst him is recorded!
JEROME w. TURNER. |