Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-29
DEADLOCK IN MICHIGAN
PRIMARY ELECTION REFORM
TIES UP LEGISLATURE.
Republicans, However, Are Over
whelmingly Favorable to Nominal
ton of Roosevelt.
The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
DETROIT, May 20, 1903
So FAR as can now be seen or judged the
Michigan legislature is "deadlocked on
the Colby BILL carrying out the pledge OF
the last Michigan republican state conven-
ton for the enactment of a law granting
the long promised primary election REFORM
The house of representatives passed the
Colby bill with substantial unanimity but
the senate under the control Of the Bur
Mcmillan (son of the late senatoD
Bliss combination, completely emasculated
It by limiting the bill to purely local Offices
The house stood up squarely for its bill
and manned the guns for fight to
finish"
The present indications are that the SEN
ate will go through the form Of a stubborn
contest for a time and will then yield to
public sentiment, far at least as TO
agree to a compromise that will keep the
word OF promise to the ear, but break IT 10
the hope"
Senator Alger promptly announced his
approval and support of the Colby bill,
which was opposed by his colleague Sem
ator Burrows, and the two factions were
aligned for and against the bill. The SEN
ate is the stronghold of the Burrows NC
Milan-Bliss combination, for the latter
owes, 1t is said. his denomination as gov
ernor to the late senator, and the state
patronage is being used in the interest OF
the last named combination.
Representative William Alden Smith, re-
Gently returned from California. lost no
time in 'shying his castor into the ring.
In vigorous English he Is said to have ad-
ministered a ringing and singing rebuke
TO the republican senatorial opponents OF
primary election reform. Mr.. Smith was
chairman of the last state convention. and
he demanded the carrying out of the con-
vention pledge for the enactment Of
primary election reform law. After stat
ing the situation and giving out kilograms
from Senator Nelson and Governor Van SAINT
OF Minnesota to the effect that the prf-
mary election law of that state had proven
effective and wholesome and was gener-
ally popular, Mr.. Smith said:
Representative Smiths Statement.
rs 1t possible the opponents of primary
reform hope to perpetuate a political ma
chine to subserve the selfish interest of any
particular candidate for governor
United States senator? Such course would
be discreditable to our pretended leaders
and unworthy the able men temporarily
the custodians Of legislative power"
After reference to his candidacy for sem
ator he stated that IL the friends of Sena
tor Burrows In the state senate would pass
the bill with his (Smith's) provision for
the nomination of United States senators
by direct vote of the people, he would sup
port Mr.. Burrows candidacy, concluding
by saying:
IF no honest effort shall be attempted to
faithfully perform our promises to the peo
pie, and we are to be Inundated and dis
graced by senatorial impotency, it will be
our duty to wage continued warfare against
such leadership. II we are to have q con-
test between a few self-constituted bosses
and the people. every republican in our
commonwealth will be given an opportunity
to take his position
At this writing Representative Smith is
considered to be several laps ahead of
Senator Burrows In the senatorial contest.
and still gaining.
Overwhelmingly for Roosevelt.
As to the presidential nomination, the
sentiment of Michigan republicans, outside
of the Burrows combina-
ton and influence, is overwhelmingly for
President Roosevelts Endorsement and Sc
lection Governor Bliss was sent to Cleve-
land to consult Senator Hanna. but through
crossed wires missed seeing him.
The governor gave out an interview in
Cleveland, In which he handed out chunks
of tafry in general way for President
Roosevelt, but said that as between him
and Senator Hanna Michigan republicans
were for the latter. For this the governor
has been soundly roasted by all the De-
troit papers and most of the leading pa
pers throughout the state, one prominent
republican paper asserting that 1t was a
case of the wish being father to the
thought"
Senator Alger ten days ago came out
strongly for the nomination of the Presi-
dent. and in spite of the feeling developed
in Michigan by the Presidents course dur
ing the last Congress in regard to reci-
procity with Cuba. In which Senator Bur-
rows rounded up the Michigan delegation
temporarily against the President 1t is
easily within bounds to say now that nine
tenths of the republican rank and file of
Michigan are for his nomination and would
SO declare II an opportunity were afforded.
The last republican state convention gave
the President its cordial Endorsement and
apparently the republican political sky in
Michigan is without a cloud