The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-04-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Michigan Place Hunters at the
Nations Capital.
COLLECTOR OF PORT OF DETROIT.

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! Washington, April GA number OF
oficeseekers have been here during the
past week, the most notable being Gen.
eral Ayers personal and political
friend, Major George II. Hopkins, who
was formerly collector Of the port OF
Detroit Major Hopkins is visiting Gen.
eral Alger for the second time since the
inauguration of the new administration
and some. guessers say that he wants
his old position of collector again.
Joe Weiss of Detroit has been here
during the'past week pushing his candi-
dacy for the particular position, and
he says that he will be the next collec-
tor Of the port of Detroit, no matter
what Major Hopkins may do.
Ex-Governor Rich has been here dur
ing the past week, but has stated most
emphatically that he has no officeseek-
ing inclination or disposition, but came
on here to look after the interests of the
lumber and other Michigan products
likely to be affected by the tariff bill.
Petitions from Lumbermen.
Michigan senators are receiving a
number Of petitions and memorials from
various parts Of the state concerning
the pending revenue bill. For example,
Senator Burrows recently presented the
petition of Joseph M. Browser and fifty
six other citizens of northern Michigan
connected with the shingle manufacture
ing industry praying for a duty of 80
cents per 1000 on pine and cedar shin
O do Mo
wick, and British Columbia. He also
presented the petition Of ]. w. Demp-
sey of Manistee and ninety-nine other
citizens os Michigan engaged in the
manufacture of lumber and shringles,
praying for duty Of not less than So
per 1000 feet on all kinds Of rough lum-
Der, and Of not less than 50 cents per
1000 on imported shingles. He also pre-
sented the petition of Blodgett 60 Davis
Lumber company and twenty-five other
citizens and firms engaged in the man
ufacture of lumber at Menomnee. pray
ing for duty of So per 1,00O board
measure. All Of these and similar petit
tons and memorials have been referred
to the senate committee on finance, and
will there receive consideration during
the preparation of the new tariff bill,
altogether different from the measure
which has just passed the house of rep.
resentatives.
The impression prevails that the 50
rate on lumber will receive favorable
consideration by the present committee
on finance. and that it will pass the sem
ate with the Dingley bill some time in
the Sweet bye and bye"
MicbiVap Sanatora VIII TaLa Darf
The Michigan senators will both take
part in the discussion of the Dingley
bill. Senator Mcmillan is not an orator,
but 1t will be remembered that during
the discussion Of the Wilson bill three
years ago the senior senator delivered
a speech demanding protection to the
interests of Michigan. and his remarks
attracted wide attention. The New York
Sun printed full column editorial COM
mending the speech.
At that time Senator Burrows was in
the house of representativesand a men,
Der of the committee on ways and
means. He had office room on the same
floor with your correspondent, and at
that time prepared a speech, the deliv-
cry of which occupied nearly two hours.
Burrows, of course, Is a born orator.
tention and commentator.
Congressman e. L. Hamilton of the
Fourth congressional district is the only
new member Of the Michigan delegation
who spoke on the tariff bill. He has
a good voice. plenty of self-confidence,
easy delivery. and graceful gestures.
He made very favorable impression.
Place for Congressman spauIding's Friend
ha
promised a place in the new congress
and has sent for him to come to Wash
ington, but will not now divulge the
young mans name.
Colonel E. s. Pierce of Grand Rapids
has been made assistant sergeant-at-
arms. He is distinguished soldier.
and is exceptionally popular in Grand
Army circles
The position Of local inspector of hulls
at Grand Haven has not been filled. The
death Of the recent incumbent created a
vacancy which the civil service COM
mission endeavored to fill by bringing
a deputy from Chicago. Congressman
Alden Smith, accompanied by the sem
ators, made such determined opposition
to this proposition that the deputy was
and the vacancy still exists.
There have been a number of applica-
tions for this position, but all Of them
are from men more than 55 years OF
age. Under the rules no man who has
passed the age of IS can be appointed
Inspector of hulls.
For the Good of the Service.
The Michigan delegation is a unit in
favor of removing from the civil service
all members of pension
examining boards They also are en-
deavoring to induce the civil service
commission to take the deputy coll
lectors of internal revenue, and the |
deputy collectors of customs from the
civil service classification, In order that
the collectors, who are responsible for
large sums of money, may have oppor-
tunity to appoint their own confidential
clerks. They do not put it on the
ground that they want the spells. but
that it is necessary for the good Of the
service.
1t is well understood that the sena-
torial fight of 1898 is already practically
begun. The members of the state sem
ate next to be elected will be in the leg |
islature which elects the successor to