The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-09-16
To Republicans Thinking Of Voting
For Democrats.

democratic Establishments to vote
against Fred M. Warner, because the
kind of primary reform they believe in
is little more radical and stronger
than that recommended by the republi-
can state platform, should remember
that there is more involved in this cleo
ton than the adoption of any particular
system of primary nominations in this
state.
The democratic managers plan is to
induce disaffected republicans-dis-
affected on this state issue only-to
vote against the republican legislative
candidates as we'll as for Mr.. Ferris for
governor. They are wise in this, ac-
cording to their plans, because they
know that Mr.. Ferris would be as help
less as woggle bug if he were elected
governor with a republican legislature.
Indeed, such partisan division of the
legislative and executive departments
would defeat the purpose which they
are melting the disgruntled republicans
to imagine is the real object of their
plans, Primary reform, in fact, would
have better show were Mr.. Warner
elected in such case, because he has de.
clared his purpose of signing any bill
passed by the legislature, whether for
local option or for statewide adoption.
The democratic managers have taboo
ed national politics in this state cam
paign. Their newspaper allies are en-
deavoring to prevent alarm to Roose-
welt republicans who might vote for
Ferris. Their candidate for governor
has been muzzled, and he dare not talk
for Parker. They are setting out the
non-partisan molasses in the hope of
catching the independent republican
flies, deeply laid scheme to elect
democratic governor and legislature. Is
it the sole purpose of these democratic
managers to secure the adoption of a
direct voting law and the adjustment
of all delegate conventions? Not by
jugfull. The masses of tie voters in
the democratic party are as much divid-
ed upon this question, that is, as to the
best system to adopt, as the republican
voters.
The independent" or any other sort
of voter will search in vain the demo
cratic speeches, newspapers, and other
sources of outgiving, to find any refer
ence to the fact that the next legislature
will reapportion and redistrict the state,
both as to congressional and legislative
divisions, and will elect United States
senator to succeed Senator Burrows, re-
publican.
Now it is assumed that nearly every
one of the republicans disgruntled on
state issues intends to vote for the re-
publican candidate for president. The
democrats foster this assumption, which
is correct one, in order not to alarm
the dissatisfied voter and make him sus-
picious of the real purpose of the demo-
cratic managers. That purpose is not
to secure primary reform, for which
they care little or nothing, but to secure
control of the legislature. redistrict the
state and elect United States senator
They can secure this control only by
the votes of the republicans, who are
importuned to vote for Ferris and dem
ocratic legislative candidates. These
republicans sound on the national
ticket, anxious for the continuance Of a
republican congress, who could not be
induced under any circumstances to
vote to cripple the national administra-
ton, are in reality asked-under the
guise of an alleged non partison state
movement-to place the executive Office
and the legislature in the hands of the
democrats so that they may have an OPP
portunity to gerrymander the state
against the republicans, to send dem
ocrat from Michigan to sit six years in
the United States senate, and to juggle
the districts so that they may have a
chance to increase that party's repre-
sentation in the lower house from Mich
igan from one member to half dozen
or more.
Such an outcome might easily result
in turning over congress to the demo-
Gratis in the middle of President Roose-
velt's administration, and prove seri-
Gus setback to the country's present
satisfactory condition.
Roosevelt republicans, the kind that
are true blue and rock-rooted in nation
al affairs, as all these men are whom the
democratic managers are endeavoring
to persuade to help them gain control of
Michigan by this bipartisan" trick,
may well think twice before they fall
in with their wishes by voting against
the republican candidate for governor
and the legislative candidates.
They certainly do not want the state
gerrymandered for ten years to come
by the d. J. Campau crowd. They GER
tainly do not want to see d. ]. Campau
occupying a seat in the United States
senate. They certainly do not want to
see the most of our present strong dele
CATION in congress swept out two years