The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-01
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.
In the Wolverine stntc.-rbe I

In the Wolverine stnte.-The Re-
publican managers are more worried by
the situation in Michigan at present than
in that of any other State they put in the
Mckinley column in all the claims they
give out And by the same token the
Democratic managers are more hopeful OF
michigan than they are OF any OF the other
States, save Indiana alone which they are
Claiming for Bryan, Mr. Mckinley carried
Michigan four years ago by the unprece
dented majority of sc, 0O0 Aside from the
abnormal issuesrof that campaign and the
Generalization OF the Democratic organi-
cation at that time, due to inability to adj
just itself readily to new leadership,
still greater advantage in favor of the Re
pubiicalis in Michigan, in 1885, was that
their party in that State was thoroughly
harmonious in all Of its aims and purposes,
locally as well as nationally. But there
is no harmony among Michigan Repub-
hcans at present. Why? Think of Alger
and Pingree and Mcmillan. Reflect for
moment also upon the frightful scandals
in the State militia. Likewise think of
the large element of Dutch scattered
through the State, and particularly how
that vote is massed in the Congressional
district represented by the Hon. William
Alden Smith, all of which is now in revolt
because Of the Administrators unfriend-
illness to the Beers. The Germans. too.
comprise big part OF the voting popua-
tion, and the issue of imperialism has
stirred them up. But better than all of
these things combined for the Democrats is
the dissatisfaction in the Republican ranks
in Michigan on local issues. 1t is conceded
even by the best informed Wolverine Re-
puDllcans in Washington that their party
mas nominated for Governor one of the
weakest men in the State, whereas the
Democrats have named one Of the strong
est The Republican candidate is a certain
colonel Bliss. who appears to have large
commodity of that kind of sense required
10 make money. but to be possessed CT no
other quality. The campaign which result
ed in his nomination was one of the most
bitterly contested in the history of Michl-
gan he had two competitors, both OF
when are -millionaires-D NJ Ferry.
the great seed man and partner of Senator
Mcmillan, and a Mr.. Stearns II is con-
seryativeiy estimated that over a million
collars. all told, was spent by this trio
oil miliionaires in the struggle for the CUB
ernatorial nomination. The contest was
Waeed Tor more than year. and as re-
suit many Michigander who was poor
nut not proud, is today enjoying the fruits
Oh hard labor performed in the interest of
one Of the millionaires, who was willing to
give up some of his cash for the title Of
Governor The Democratic nominee is
Mayer Maybury, of Detroit, who has rep
resented that district in Congress. and has
an unbroken record Of successes in his long
political career. Maybury Is an crganiza-
ton Democrat in all circumstances. Com
-seQuently the party is completely united
on him. Then. too. he is entirely accepta-
bic to large element OF Michigan people
who were disguised with the money can
vass by the Republican aspirants for CUB
ernatorial candidates. 1t is even whis-
pered that the mighty seed man, Ferry,
also Is eager to see the man who beat him
to- the nominations Inundated in the dust
OF defeat in November and to that end is
quietly working for the election of May
bury. It is rule in politics that the hair
goes with the hide. II the Democrats pull
through their State ticket in Michigan
they will also pull through their electoral
ticket there. For the reasons here briefly
set forth, Republican despair and Demo-
cratic hope as to the Wolverine State can
be easily understood