The Washington times., 1902-08-11
Friends of Late States
man in Control of
Affairs.
AN UNWRITTEN STATE LAW
Assigns One Senator to the East and
One to Western Section of Common
wealth Term Does Not Expire Until
March q, 1907.

For the long period of twentythree
years. or since Zachariah Chandler died
so suddenly at the Grand Pacific Hotel
in Chicago. James Mcmillan has been the
dominating force in Michigan Repub-
lican politics He had been a prominent
figure for at least ten years before the
death of Chandler. and 1t was some
years after that stalwart statesman s
death before he exhibited the full limit
OF his powers. But he has been the
most conspicuous Of Michigan Repub-
iicans from the time he succeeded
Chandler as chairman of the State Cen
tIal Committee on the death of that
Senator in 1879
He has had but two serious rivals in
that time-Hazen s. Pingree and Russell
A Alger. He made no contest against
General Alger's candidacy for President
o. Pingree's candidacy for governor.
but defeated each with ease whenever
they or persons named by them ap-
peared as candidates for Senator.
The Mcmillan machine. so-called. has
long been the most formidable engine
in Michigan politics. II was not an or
ganization OF large and small bosses,
like that made familiar in other States.
but a thoroughly disciplined army of
admirers and supporters OF the senior
Senator. This organization is now in
full control OF the situation in Michi-
gan. and there is no doubt that SEN
ator McMilan's successor by appoint
ment will be a man who was in full
accord with the late Senator and his
friends. The governor of the State,
Aaron T. Bliss. is an earnest Mcmillan
man, and the question at issue is
whether the man named for the vacancy
shall be the man the organization in
tends shall make the race before the
Legislature.
Depressed by Death.
The Michigan people in the city are
much depressed by the death of the
universally esteemed Senator, but they
express the opinion that the choice TO
fill the vacancy will fall within narrow
limits.
The unwTitten law assigns one Sena
tor to the eastern and one TO the vest
ern portion of the State. Senator Bur
rows is from the latter section, and
that fact makes it certain that McMil-
lans successor will come from eastern
Michigan. The most likely possibilities
appear to be the Senator's son, William
Mcmillan, of Detroit; Benton Hanchett
of Saginaw-the home city of the gov
ernor-and ex-Goy. John T Rich. Ii
has long been supposed TO have been
the desire of the dead Senator that he
be succeeded by his son. who has been
for some years his home political eY
ccutive, but whether he would prefer
10 take an appointment or to make the
fight before the next Legislature with
cut this advantage or handicap, as the
case may be, is not known.
Almost a Full Term.
The Senator's term would not have
expired until March T. 1907. so that
nearly full Senatorial term is involved.
The Democrats of Michigan are known
to entertain quite strong hopes of carry
ing the State this year on local issues.
If they should achieve this feat the
names OF National Committeeman D. j.
Campau. of Detroit; Justin R. Whiting.
of St Clair, and Thomas E. Barkworth,
of Jackson. would be in evidence Cam
pau's chances would probably be the
best, owing to his service on the national
committee since 1892. and his long ex-
perience as chairman Of the State COM
mittee. Whiting and Barkworth might
not stand against him.