The Washington herald., 1907-01-11

Special 10 The Washington Herald
Lansing, Mich, Jan. 1O-To-night, Just
fifty years since Zachariah Chandler was
| sent to the United States Senate from
Michigan for the first time, Congressman
William Alden Smith. Of Grand Rapids
received the nomination for the Senator
ship after the most exciting contest in
many years
! 1t was twenty-sevvn years ago that the
/ Congressman, then poor lad. received
! the appointment Of page in the Michigan
| legislature from the same rostrum where
he stood tonight TO thank the members
/ for this great honor
This was the third session of the eau
/ Gus, and the choice was made on the
! first ballot, Smith getting ninety-eight
votes 4 week ago Wednesday an ad-
journment was taken at the request of
statement from his sick room at Farm
ington. attacked Candidate Arthur Hill.
Of Saginaw. for the alleged use Of money
in his campaign.
He suggested an investigation. but this
was never undertaken, general acceptance
being given Mr. Hilrs statement that his
contribution to the election expenses of
some members was the extent to which
he used money
Five Ballots Yesterday.
Last night. after the speech-making.
five ballots were taken. Smith leading
strongly. To-day il was realized that his
strength could not be overcome except
by combination Of the other three can
III a
about failed. Supporters Of HiH say
those Of William G. Mcmillan Of Detroit
refused to give their strength to any
other
Thus the predictions Of the early even
ing were fulfilled ia Smiths faction
TOwnsend's twenty-six men voted for him
tonight, but then made il unanimous,
and the cheering was vociferous.
The election seriously disturbed crgani-
Zation politics in Michigan. and estab-
fishes the supremacy OF Gov. Warner
1t was in violation Of precedent to elect
Smith, owing to the fact that the va
Cancy. caused by the announced retire
ment OF Senator AlgeT. exists in Eastern
Michigan.
Not Allied with Machine.
Smith had never had much 10 do with
the so-called machine. under the leader
ship Of Railroad Commissioner Atwood
which in this contest threw its support
10 Hill. II was the report of this ALL
ance on which Gov. Warner acted when
he sent out his celebrated statement
Thus Commissioner Atwood and his fol-
lowing met defeat in a contest with gov
eTnOT. whose friends worked tooth and
nail to-day for Smiths election.
Though the executives condition for
bade his directing the engagement. the
most potent influence in the result il ap-
pears, was that Of the governors ap-
pointments and control Of legislation. 4
number Of State officers wer-e allied with
Atwood. and hence the crowd will be
turned out.
Born in Michigan.
William Alden Smith was born in
Dowagiac, Mich. on May Z, 1859. He re-
ceived a common school education. and in
/ 1872 removed TO Grand Rapids. which is
his home at present. He began the study
Of law and was admitted to the bar IN
1888. In June, 1901, Mr. Smith was hon
ored with the degree Of master Of arts
by Dartmouth College
He was elected 10 the Fifth-fourth,
Fifty-fifth, Fifty-sixth, Fffty-seventh.
and Fifty-eighth Congresses from the
Fifth Michigan district. and re-
elected to the Fifty-ninth Congress, re-
ceiving 30l69 votes. to 12.253 for V. II.
Smith. Democrat. and SOC for ". A. Kla-
ZieT PrOhibitiOnist. He was unOppOsed
for a seventh term, and unanimously
reelected for the Sixtieth Congress.