The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-01-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Some Interesting Information
from Our Correspondent.
POPULAR ELECTION OF SENATORS

Burrows Favors 1t and Is willing to Sub
NIT His Chances to Direct Vote OF the
People-Detroit Newspaper Correspond
ents at.the .Capital-"Jim" Stone To Be
Taken Care of by President Mckinley
O'DonnelPs Candidacy.
Washington, Dec. 2S.-Carmichael
and Miller of the Detroit Journal and
News are rivals in news getting, but
are very warm personal friends. All
day long they skirmish about the Cap
itol and the executive departments,
each Of them working hard for his pa
per, but in the evening they often are
seen taking supper together In hand
some down town restaurant. Both OF
them are popular with the newspaper
men of the national capital.
Frank II. Hosford, for many years
the representative of the Detroit Free
Press, was recently elected president of
the Gridiron club, an organization or
newspaper men which is regarded as
one of the most successful and delight
full clubs in the entire country. It's
membership is limited to forty, and
only the best men of the profession are
admitted. In fact, SO exclusive is the
club that some of the oldest and most
successful correspondents are not men,
bers Frank Hosford has been a men,
Der for several years, and his popular
ity Is such that he has been elected
president for the coming year. This
club entertains presidents, cabinet min
listers, senators, and the highest digni-
taries of the land.
Popular Election of Senators.
Very soon after congress convenes In
January Congressman Corliss of De-
troit will make an effort to secure con-
sideration for his bill providing that
senator's shall be elected by a direct
vote Of the people instead of by state
legislatures. He believes that the bill
will be passed in the house by large
majority But 1t would not be passed
by the senate.
Senator Burrows believes in the cleo
ton of senators by direct vote of the
people, and is willing to submit his own
chances to that test. His successor will
be elected next year, but the senator
does not seem to be looking into the
future for trouble or disappointment.
Senator Mcmillan has not expressed
any views for publication on the sub
ject, but personal friends know that he
also is in favor Of elections by direct
vote Of the people.
Statesmen receive all manner OF
crank letters, and some Of them are so
absurd as to be exceedingly interest
ing. For example, a man In Grand
Rapids has written Senator Burrows
requesting him to at once send him
flannel shirt because it Is getting all
fired cold" He concludes with the re-
mark: you may think I am crazy
man, but I am as sane as you are.
Mr.. brain is clear as tar"
O'Donnelrs Candidacy.
It Is we'll understood among Michi-
gan men here that ex-Congressman
James ODonnell, editor Of the Jackson
Citizen, is an active candidate for the
governorship, but none Of our repre-
sentatives will say anything for publ
cation. One of the statemen, however,
says that he regards the candidacy OF
O'Donnell as inimical to the senatorial
candidacy of Senator Burrows. This
seems too strange to be true, for, when
Jim" O'Donnell was in congress-, he
was a warm friend Of Burrows, and
depended upon him for many parlia-
mentary and political favors.
Papa" Bert Kennedy says that the
recent allusion to him in this column
as q floor-walking young father, has
been sent to him from various points In
Michigan, which Is not strange, for Bert
Is known and loved all over the state.
General Nate Church Of Ithaca, who
has been here fighting so hard against
the confirmation of William Leet to be
postmaster, has concluded to go home
and stay there. His principal efforts.
while in Washington, were directed In
the postoffice department.
Judge Jay A Hubbell has greatly i'm
proved in health, and now believes that
he will be entirely recovered by spring.
time.
"Jlm" Stone of Detroit will be taken
care Of by President Mckinley without
the enthusiastic Endorsement of Con-
gresham Corliss or Senator Mcmillan.
The president is a very warm friend OF
Stones and intends to give him sub
stantial recognition.
Senator Mcmillan has secured a ia
vorable report from the weather bureau
on a bill authorizing the erection Of
weather bureau building at Sault Ste.
Marie, and for the establishment of a
signal service station at Escanaba.
The Michigan senators will unite in
an effort to secure provision in the riv-
er and harbor appropriation bill for the
proposed cable between Glen Haven
and South Manitou islands. There Is
no doubt of the Importance and neces-
sity for this cable. Senator Burrows Is
at present quite confident that the nee
essary appropriation will be made.
George w. Cobine waded through fire
and blood to get the postmastership at
Unionville, but he got there just the
same. Wilbur Nelson, ]. #. Monford and
others were candidates as soon as the
charges were filed against Cobine, but
Senator Mcmillan stood by Cobine until
his success was achieved.
Case of Henry w. Corbett-
Henry w. Corbett of Oregon is here
holding a commission as United States
senator, which was issued by the gov
ernor of that state after the Oregon
legislature adjourned without electing
q senator. 1t is questionable whether or
not this commission is constitutional.
Senator Burrows is a member of the
committee on privileges and elections,
and is devoting a great deal Of time
and study to the case, which will be