The Detroit times., 1912-02-19
State Politics

Who's who in Michigan in the great
presidential controversy that is STIR
ring things as they have not been SUR
red In this stirrable country since the
eGfervescent days OF silverlsm and
"the boy orator of the Platte?
SO far as the democracy Is con-
|cerned, Woodrow Wilson seems TO be
the inevitable who" in the Wolverine
state. In the language OF the alley
back OF the print shop, he evidently
has a einch.' The Harmon boom is
about as animated as 10y balloon
with a hole In IT, Wilson looks TO be
preponderously the favorite-north,
south. east and west--in Michigan.
The balance of the game in the Demo
cratic party in this state viii prob
ably be largely matter of securing
nice seats i'll the bandwagon.
s.33rrt IN the Republican party III
Michigan the situation is dreadfully
different. There are three healthy
factions and each fighting for Its fav-
orite candidate. The Ratchet has been
unburied and the war-paint Is on.
There's fur in the air and ugly
wounds are being inflicted.
-
While straws are supposed 10 tell
the prevailing direction of the wind
and while straw votes indicate tidal
wave for 1.-The hunter bold and the
hero OF San Juan there may be I'M
dercurrents OF air, not hot, that are
not blowing any straws these days.
II seems reasonable 10 estimate
that politicians and the fellows who
are particularly jealous for a par
tisan victory, are the principal prtici-
pants in the straw-voting events. This
class in the Republican party Is prob
ably for Roosevelt and resultantly, ac-
cording to surface evidence, the sage
of OYSTER Bay is the great popular
choice. Judging by these seeable ap-
pearances. T. r. would do" all op-
ponents TO frazzie' in primary
contest.
On the other hand. we take il that
the real conservatives, the men who
have money and an antipathy for
brass band methods, the backbone or
the Taft following, are not carrying
straw ballots TO the political market.
Ga still another hand, Senator La
Toilette insists that he is yet In the
race and we read that Fighting Bob
never quits" He has a big following,
probably much bigger than the straws
would indicate. Senator Bob" pound
ed reciprocity as long as there was
any excuse or reason for pounding 1t.
Have the farmers forgotten about IT?
Logically not. Logically. again, not
many farmers handle straws or the
ballot variety Farmers are not as
easily accessible as the citizens VINO
sit on pork barrels and solve the
tremendous problems OF state
So don't run away and lock your
self up with The questionable idea that
Michigan belongs TO any candidate or
faction. from a Republican standpoint.
Don't forget the great commercial,
and conservative element
that Is probably for Taft. Don't for
get the federal employees, partisanly-
hobbled by civil service, who are
quite liable to be for Taft. Don't
forget the foxy on-the-fencers that
NAV silently be for Taft. Don't for
get the great army OF farmers, bitter
against reciprocity and Taft. who
have a license to be enthusiastically
for LaFollette. a man who vigorously
opposed the pact and stands for the
fundamental principles dear 10 the
CHANGERS. Don't forget I,aFollette S
personal following.
And when you are scratching your
cad and knitting your brow and
making other motions like wisdom,
as YOU figure out what is going TO
happen politically in Michigan and
how. don't forget TO consider that
Theodore. too. favored reciprocity,
which is the big count against Taft
With the farmers.
Anyway. the game is in its infancy.
Primary or no primary. IL may be
Taft or 1t may be Roosevelt. Pos
sibly Il may be LaFollette. II the
great tighter spends a week or so in
the state aud puts up the scrap of
his acme days.
With four or 1--WE gubernatoriai can.
didates in the field, presidential
campaign on. a booming of congress
sfoi.2i booms. county elections, city
elections. legislative elections. a local
CDtion fight In prospect. fights in par
ties and between parties and among
e.ax.