The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-09-15
Ed +0rI0I co7-ent.
Keep Close 10 the People.

A veteran newspaper correspondent
and member of the present legislature
in a conversation with the writer at
Benton Harbor during the Kelley
peach fest in speaking of the senator
ial situation said: The situation
from the standpoint of the legislator
is an ideal one, the multiplicity Of
favorite sons making it easy for them
to avoid committing themselves fur
Their than to say whether or not they
are from the fifth district. You know
Vim. Alden Smith is talked Of as
possibility, and it is my duty TO stand
by him so long as he is likely to win.
The mem Der from the second district
can say that Hank Smith is an ag-
gressive candidate, and no matter
how futile may think his candidacy
may be, his local strength is such
that whoever represents Lenawee
county will vote for Smith. The
Wayne county members are always
loyal to their home candidates, and,
unless there is decided change Of
sentiment W. G. Mcmillan will get
heir votes. Here in southwestern
Michigan you have a strong candidate
for senatorial honors at some time in
the person of E. L. Hamilton, and
when the legislature meets in 1907
mem bers from the fourth district will
be likely to remain unpledged to any
other candidate until they find that
his time has not yet come. Arthur
Hill of Saginaw will naturally have a
strong following in his part of the
state, and will receive hearty support
from different parts, where his busi-
ness interests will naturally bring to
his aid men who do not usually mix in
politics, but are very influential in
their locality. The legislator politi-
clan will never commit himself on
any subject where there is likely TO
be difference of opinion among his
constituents, contenting himself with
a position that will allow him to take
advantage of any situation which
may arise later, which will give him
d chance to be with the winner in
hopes that greater portion of the
political loaves and fishes VIII fall to
his lot. "
This summing up of the situation
by so well qualified judge Of politi-
cal affairs as Mr.. Greusel brings more
forcibly than ever to the front the
policy adopted by Mr.. Hill, that of
seeking the nomination at the hands
of the people and passing by those
who get into the game for what may
in it for them personally.
The machine politician, to discour-
age this method, will urge that in
view of the possibility Of so many
seeking the nomination no convention
endorsements can be had which will
be binding on the Legislature; that
any of the leading candidates who
may receive large per cent of the
votes cast by delegates in convention
will be inclined to hope that if it
should be carried into the legislature
they might be elected; consequently
there will be no choice, and such
proceeding would have a tendency to
endanger the election of certain MEM
bers. This is reasoning falsely and
should not deter the friends of any
candidate who wishes TO secure the
that such method should be pursued.
Would any candidate for a moment
hope to secure an election at the
hands of the legislature without such
endorsement provided the state CEN
trail committee should include it in
their call for state convention?
The argument that because of the
number of favorites presented no
choice could be had is one hardly
worthy of notice, because no state
convention ever held failed TO finally
select ticket, and this next conven-
ton will have less work to do than
usual, for without doubt Governor
Warner, owing to his personal popu-
larity and conservative administration
of affairs, will be the choice of the