The Detroit times., 1910-12-31

he has wasted lot of time and aas
made himself appear ridiculous.
From the present indications T.. V.
Chilson, OF this city. will again be
secretary OF the senate. Governor
elect Osborn is a bitter political en-
emy OF Mr.. Chilson and is reported to
have said that the Lansing MAJ could
not land the job again. Notwithstard-
ing, Chilson is In the race, aud II Is
said that a majority of the old sen
ators are backing him for the position.
With a new presiding officer In the
senate In the person of Lieut.-Gov
Ross, the old members declare that IL
Will be productive OF better leg sla-
ton 10 have man In the secretary 3
chair who knows the ropes and will be
able 10 steer the new senator's in TIE
right direction. George Clarke. the
Detroit candidate, has not abandoned
hope OF landing the place and declares
that he has fighting chance 10 win.
viii Confirm Townsend's Election.
Under the provisions OF the consti-
tuition the legislature will convene the
first Wednesday In January, then, as
the statute provides, the election OF
United States senator will be taken
up on the second Tuesday OF the sss-
sion, and this event will for the first
time In the history of the state be a
purely formal affair.
In the past there have been occa-
sions when senator was reelected
without opposition. but there never
has been contest in which the leg.
islators who favor one candidate have
been obliged TO represent the will of
their constituents rather than theif
own preferences. Ii is a matter of
comment by few that the legislature
this winter might overturn the result
OF the primary election, but OF course
no one expects IL to, and the naming
OF Congressman Charles +. Townsend
TO succeed Senator julius Caesar Bur.
rows will probably be done without
even the customary party caucus. ex.
cept to arrange the details of the nom-
mating speeches.
According TO the statements Of
Democratic members, not all OF them
will be bound by their party primary
election. but two or three at least
will vote for Congressman Townsend
rather than John T. Winship. The
latter's name will be presented, how
ever, IL being understood that the
plan is TO delegate this honor to Sen
ator James Fl Lee, OF Detroit.
There is NO doubt that Paul II. King,
of this city, will again be clerk of
the house. Mr.. King was clerk two
years ego and performed the duties OF
that office in highly satisfactory
manner. Since that time he has greatly
strengthened his political fences, and
I'm the past few weeks has been ten
dered 1t least half dozen good politi
cal Jobs. Mr. King was secretary OF
the Townsend campaign committee un-
der Arthur J. Tuttle, and when Mr.
Townsend secured the nomination at
the primary election the political
future OF the Lansing man was as
sured. AS secretary OF the Republican
state central committee he made many
friends during the campaign, and II is
probable that he will have no opposi
ton for the clerkship.
It seems practically assured that the
legislature will be required to wrest,e
with the tonnage tax problem again
this winter, and this fight which will
be be'instituted through the Grange mem
bers promises TO be most interesting
At the last meeting OF the State
Grange the time-worn resolution call
ing for tax on the output OF the
mines was adopted and the legislature
committee was instructed to fight for
the passage OF such a bill during the
session OF 1911.
During the primary campaign all Of
the gubernatorial candidates refused
10 insert in their platforms n plank
calling for the adopting of tonnage
tag bill. Governor Warner has stated
or numerous occasions that he would
not look with favor upon such a piece
OF legislation as he agrees with others
who have investigated the question.
that IL would be an imposition On the
mine owners.
Nevertheless it is expected that at
least three tonnage tax bills will have
their origin in the house and a couple
may spring forth in the senate.
Whether they will ever get further
than the burying ground In the com
mittee In charge, is problem for
speculation. The upper peninsula
members have already stated in loud
tones that tonnage tax bill will never
receive their support. With local leg
islation barred, short session in
which much business will be trans