The Washington times., 1906-05-03
SENATORIAL SCRAP
THRILLS MICHIGAN
William Alden Smith Be-
comes a Factor.
EAST-SlDE MEN UNEASY
States Primary Plan, Complicated and
Unwieldy, Will Have Great In
huence on Fight.
EAST-SIDE MEN UNEAS

Michigan's Senatorial contest is TAX
Ing on remarkable measure of nation
al interest, largely because that State
has a primary election law, to be tried
out for the first time this year. that is
altogether the most wonderful emana-
tion of it's kind that ever came from n
legislative assemblage-
There is a goodly field of candidates
for the seat that Senator Alger has an
nounced he will vacate on March 4 next.
William Alden Smith has been in Mich
iKan much of the time lately. looking
after HIS interests He represents the
western half of the State. while the
AlEer vacancy in the ordinary course
of Michigan politics would be filed
from the eastern half Mr.. Smith pro-
poses TO break this old rule II possible.
The eastern people are trying to ar
range a basis for getting together on
n man of their own community, but
thus far have failed. Arthur Hill. the
Saginaw millionaire lumberman. and
William c. Mcmillan. of Detroit. an
other millionaire. and son Of the late
Senator Mcmillan, are active candi-
dates. Congressman FoTdney. who also
lives in Saginaw. has been urged 10 en-
ter the race, but has remained loyal to
the interests of his townsman. Hiu. and
is Tot announced. Congressman Nc
Mor1an, Of Port Huron, has announced
himself.
HIPS Political Trick.
Mr.. Hill turned something Of a trick
by writing the State Republican COM
mittee that he favored a Senatorial nom
ination by the State convention. There
are two precedents for this IN the State.
established when State conventions in
dorsed Alger and Burrows for the Sem
ate But neither OF these had any op-
position, so it Is a question whether the
State convention should or VIII step IN
and undertake to settle such a conquest.
II is said that William Alden Smith
is favorable 20 the State convention
plan because Of the feeling that he
would have about the entire western
half Of the State He would score a
clever political turn If. after breaking
Into the game as the west side aspir-
ant, he would get. an Endorsement from
the convention by virtue of a solid vote
from his end of the State while the
eastern half was hopelessly split up
among other favorite sons Such an
event is now considered as possible. and
IL is giving worry 10 other candidates
Mr. Smith was at first regarded as an
interloper in eastside politics, but he is
now accepted as a serious factor IN the
that he has been among the advocates
Of nomination by primary on the ground
mat a COIlkGuLlOu uOeS not laIElE Ttuttl
the wish Of the community. but that
now he has taken up the idea OF nomi-
nation by convention
Extremely Complicated.
Michigan's primary law IS extremely
complicated In April voters must be
enrolled, indicating their parties. The
voters who enroll are the only ones en-
titled TO vote at the primaries. The
governor and lieutenant governor must
be nominated by primary.
If other people desire to be named by
primary for other offices thev must
have petitions fled with the proper Of
fcers asking primary on this Office.
On the second Tuesday in June the Ques-
tion is submitted 10 a plebiscite. wheth-
er the nominations for these other Of
fees shall be made by primary. and If
IL Is so decided then in September the
primary is held as TO them: otherwise
they are nominated IN the old-fashioned
way. by convention.
All delegates to the State convention
are named by county conventions, dele
gates 20 which are named by primaries
The scheme IS regarded as hOpelessly
complicated and unlikely 20 operate
more than this year: but for this year,
u Is likely TO have an important in
fiuence or the Senatorial contest