The Detroit times., 1913-02-15
From a stqf oorrespondent.

LANSING, Mich, Feb. l5.-That
Fridays gathering was the largest
and most enthusiastic and harmoni'
Gus Democratic spring convention
ever helo in Michigan, was the unani-
nous verdict of faithful members of
the party who have been attending
It's conclaves for 20 and 80 years.
The nomination OF the candidates
chosen took second place TO the stir
ring speeches OF Gov. Ferris. Kyle b.
Price, Of Alabama, and o. +. Barnes,
the temporary chairman. Nor were
the oyations limited to those present
Aside from that offered Gov. Ferris.
the two big demonstrations were in
honor OF that most popular Democrat,
William Jennings Bryan; one OF them
when he was referred to by the tenn
porary chairman, and the other when
after n splendid eulogy, Price assured
the delegates that there Is not the
slightest doubt of the Nebraskan
statesman's being the leading mem
Der OF the Wilson cabinet.
All other business Of the conven-
ton had been completed before the
committee on resolutions was ready
to report, but according to the men,
bers, the delay was due 10 the lack
of a prearranged schedule as much
as 10 difficulty OF agreement. BY
adopting the report which IL finally
submitted unanimously, the conven-
ton resolved in Endorsement OF a
real Australian ballot; workable
and efficient primary law: the initia.
tive and referendum: the recall APP
piled 10 all executive and legislative
Offices thorough publicity OF ac-
counts in the state departments so
that ell expenditures in the different
institutions and elsewhere may be
readily traced; an efficient civil SER
vice law basing tenure of ONCE on ef-
fciency and a proper examination of
candidates and not on present incum-
bency: the election by the people or
state and national committeeman and
also delegates to state and national
conventions, and a simplification OF
court procedure.
One of the resolves takes a rap at
the Osborn administration by deplor-
ing anu condemning its policy OF cut
ting down expenditures at a time
when the needs OF the state were
growing. The necessary appropria-
tons OF the present legislature will
be surprisingly large, and the Demo
cratic leaders took this opportunity
OF telling the public where they
would place the responsibility.
At the reopening OF the convention
at 300 O'Clock. the committee on per-
manelt organization announced the
name of Francis Mcdonald. OF the
500. for permanent chairman. Mr.
Barnes having declined to serve on
account OF his duties on the tax com
mission.
When the time came for nomina-
tons tho numerous candidates talked
OF failed to appear The first roll
call Of districts failed to bring for
ward anyone to oppose Chief Justice
Steere. Judge Geo. l. Yaple, OF Men
don was named to oppose Justice Jos.
b. Moore, and then on a second trial.
Judge r. H.. Person. OF Lansing, was
selected Tor the other place.
The only case in which more than
one man was named for the same Do
sition was that OF F. II. Begole and
Albert +. Souter for regent of the
university. And in this. even, on an
alphabetical roll call Of counties. the
name OF Mr.. Souter was withdrawn
before the voting had got past the BIS
Se"crsl things not finally men.
toned in tho resolutions offered were
discussed by the committee. Rep.
Wolcott. OF Calhoun, was In favor OF
guarantee OF bank deposits. and
Senator Case, OF Watervliet. stood
for the Endorsement of highway inn
provement. but .since the latter was a
oart of the platform OF the last cam.
paign, which was Endorsed in it's en-.
tir ~, Il was not thought necessary
70 again include t.
The abolition OF the unit rule I'm
state conventions. also came In for