Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-23
OPENING THE FIGHT
Special Correspondence From Politi-
cal Centers.
MICHIGAN'S REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
Tar-HeeI PopuIists Make Things
Very Lively.
FREE YER IN OH 10

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, July 21.-The
republicans are very busy these days
arranging the preliminaries for the nom.na-
ton Of a candidate for governor. The eau
cuses and county conventions are being
held, and the liveliest interest is being
taken in the returns. The heavy fighting
Is betw cen the forces of Mayor Hazen S.
PinSree and Col. A. T. Bliss. The end of
the week finds Pingree in the lead, but he
still lacks many votes of a certainty. Bliss
Is second on the list as regards the num-
Der of delegates already elected, and the
other candidates train along in order
O'Donnel. Athens, Conant and Wheeler.
The four trailers can hardly be considered
more than dark horses in the race. but
they are saving wood as earnestly as ever,
and each one of them is hoping for a tie-up
which will land him at the head Of the
ticket
Pingree has a tremendous advantage
over any of the other candidates. His own
county Of Wayne, with 81 votes, is solid
for him. and it will come to the conven-
ton under cast-iron instructions to act as
a unit all matters brought before the
convention, and all nominations, as we'll IS
for governor. This places 81 votes in the
hands of Pingree to do with as he sees fit.
He owns them. and can use them in any
manner and for any purpose that will be
advantageous to himself. He has a trading
stock which none of the other guberna-
tor1al candidates possesses, and is in
position to make bargains and oombina-
tons with candidates for the other Places
on the ticket, and can deliver the goods
The other fellows will have to make the
nrst delivery. of course. ard If they stay
by the bargains made he will deliver bis
stock when the time comes
secretary
Gardner, the present incumbent will have
a walkaway: William French will have no
opposition for land commissioner. and Fred.
A. Maynard is already as good as nomi-
mated for attorney general But for the
other nVe places on the ticket there are
from TWO to seven candidates, and with
this hot competition for the places 1t will
De easy Tor Pingree. with his 81 votes, to
make five district combinations for his sun
portland he'll do it,
Republican Dissatisfaction.
Should Pingree be nominated there will
be any number of dissatisfied and sore re-
publicans. Although Pingree has convert
ed wayne county from q rock-ribbed dem
ocrat1c bailiwick into a republican strong
mold, his republicanism Is not greatly adj
mired by many good republicans about the
state, especially among the capitalist and
corporation classes. He is by many look
ed upon as demagogue and a dangerous
man. and II he is put at the head of the
ticket there will be wonderful lot of in
activity among republicans who in the past
nave been foremost in promoting party sue
cess. But PingI eeS friends are confident
that the loss of the heavy-weights will be
more than made good by the accession Of
free silver farmers and democratic labor
Ing men. They claim he is the strongest
man who could be put up as he would
hold for the republican national ticket the
republican silver vote, which might other
wise wander Off to Bryan.
sound democrats
decided on plan of campaign, but are
waiting for the action Of the party leaders
In New York, Chicago and other points. In
this city they are In favor of another ticket
In the field. and it is the same in other
parts of the state. Should another ticket
be put up a sound money democratic cleo
toral ticket will be named and a vigorous
sound money campaign will BE waged.
with plenty Of money, literature and speak
ers back Of 1t. The democrats will find 1t
hard to find candidate for governor. espe-
republicans. Justin r. Whiting of Port
Huron is talked of and Charles r. Sigh
OF this city Is mentioned, but neither Of
them is seeking the honor. and the discus
sion has not taken on a serious phase.
Spencer o. Fisher could have the nominal
ton II he wanted 1t, but he had all the
monkeying with the buzz saw that he
wants two years ago. when he was de-
will do some free silver stump speaking
this fall. and so will W. r. Burt. and these
two Will be levied upon to contribute to the
campaign funds. They are almost the only
wealthy free silver men in the state. ana
must bear UP under this fact as best they
can. Justin r. Whiting is talked of for chair
man of the democratic state central COM
mttee to succeed Elliott G. Stevenson, who
will probably resign when the state GEN.
trail committee meets in this city next
Tuesday to fix the date and place for the
state convention.
Congressional Nominations.
Congressman Corliss of the first district,
Spalding of the second Smith of the fifth
and Linton of the eighth have been renomi-
mated by the republicans, and will begin
earnest campaigning Immediately after the
republican state convention. Mines of the
third, Shower of the seventh. Bishop of the
ninth and Crump of the tenth are certain
Of denomination without contest. Thomas
of the fourth has seven contestants for his
seat. Avery of the eleventh has several
rivals. and Stevenson of the twelfth also
has trouble ON his hands. In the sixth.
should Aitken fail in his gubernatorial race
there will be a strong demand that he be
returned for another term. In democratic
circles there Is little congressional discus
sion as yet.