The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-04
MICHIGAN POLITICS.
A Great State Always Contested but Always
Republican in the End.

There is probably no other State in the country
certainly none in the western division which is So
uniformly uncertain in Presidential elections as
Michigan. There has probably never been an
election, certainly not since the foundation of the
Republican party in 1855 when Michigan wa
regarded otherwise than doubtful, though il has
regularly been carried by the Republicans on the
popular vote, except in 1892. when the principle
OF district divisions for electors was temporarily in
vogue by maiorities ranging from 3 800 TO SO 600
just now attention is called again to the peculiar
condition OF politics which seems 10 be almost
chronic in the Wolverine State by the announce
ment from former Secretary Alger that he will not
be a candidate for Senator 10 succeed Senator
Mcmillan, whose term expires on March L. 1901
Michigan, despite its political imporanc',
never furnished either political party with c.nd-
date for the Presidency since the adjustment Of
the present party divisions, but il has exercised
rather her % apn s share Fl
Of the, United States foI- two years during the
second term Of President Grant whose Republican
successor owed his certificate OF election in chief
measure to the activity. zeal and niomi.able
ariah Chandler Secretary OF the Interior under
President Grant and chairman of the Republican
snd bon 1S Dckn ns nIss cs
iga was Postmaster General, and on the de-
termination Of the admission OF Michigan dele
Of 1895 the control of that body. There was a CON
test, some Of the Michigan delegates being favor
able IN the conservative policies supported in the
East the others being supporters Of the incendiary
Iadcalism, which. through their admission.
finally prevailed. The unit rule which prevails in
/ the Democratic conventions gives the majority
party in State larger measure Of influence than
The same number Of delegates can have in
Republican convention, and on the determination
Of the Michigan dispute turned the, question
whether the radicals at Chicago would have, or
would fall short OF having. the requisite two
.
such disputes being determined without refer
ence to the twothIrds rule. and as result Of the
contest twenty-eght votes of Michigan were cast
sol,dly for Mr. Bry an on the fifth and decisive
ballot
OF Michigan politics is TO be found in the fact that
Michir an is an enormous State, separated into
two distinct divisions rs BY Lakes chlgan and
from the mainland country II is TO great eX-
| tent too, mining and lumber sta te and many Of
camps are remote from sources OF commune alton
and therefore little IN touch with the proceed
a considerable number Of Michigan voters are
engaged in fisheries and considerable number
TOO are the resdents Of foreign colonies, Dutch;
/ Belgian, Finnish or MoTavian, and separated
| in consequence from other voters The area OF
Michigan is 81, 600 square miles or 10000 square
seven frstclass post Offices in Nj chigan and only
! forty second-class offices. total OF forty
seven as AGAINST lo5 q these IN New York ei by
I fifty three in Iii ois, tifty-one in New Jersey and
! sStv-hve in Ohio In respect 10 minor post
! Offices Michigan has 1000, hut in half Of them
the total Iece pts do no, exceed 500 each yea.
! Under these circumstances IT need b. no
! great cause for surprise that during the initiation
| agitation Of twenty years ago the Michig Re.
puhlcans were, many Of them, recorded as opposed
! 10 the conservative business policy To which the
Republican party was pledged and in the 1905
Rcpublican National Convention at st Louis
| many Of the Michigan delegates deprecated any
/ declaration for an honest money standard. favor
| ing suaddle. Subsequently, as a ConcesSo on
| 70 the more radical Michigan men, the Republican
! State Convention nominated II. S Pingree for
| Governor.