The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-03-28
BEEBE CARRIES HIS EIGHT
OVER FERRIS HEAD


MT. oillelub dIu uiybCii hou 49,
made a single postoff,ce promise.
am sorry that your letter was
not definite In outlining your Sc
cret ballot plans. Will you be
kind enough to give me the de-
tails OF such a plan? do not be-
lieve there is any method OF DIS
tributing patronage that VIII De
entirely satisfactory TO all. In
fact, all human plans are more or
less faulty. cannot see any rea-
son why Michigan should be dis
organized by adopting some meth
cd without first having made
some provision for adopting such
method. In 1893. the referee sys-
tenn set the Democrats OF this
state back 10 years.
| am aware that this letter Is
not very satisfactory. but 1t Is
the best I can write under the
circumstances.
Very sincerely yours.
WOODBRIDGE N. FERRIS,
Governor.
Mr.. Beebe then replied to Gov. Fe
ris:
Yours OF the 18th inst. In reply
to mine OF the 10th, was duly re-
ceived.
7 do not believe you had made
any promises previous to the IN
ausuration of Wilson. believe
you to be honest, but like all men,
subject to mistakes. ! am saus-
fed that there were promises
made, and even money used 10
keep the state convention from
sending a Wilson delegation ID
Baltimore.
suggested leaving choice OF
postmasters to the enrolled Dem
ocrats. patrons of such ofhces.
You request details: Simply call
the Democrats enrolled on the
primary register together In eau
Gus and let them choose by bal
lot as they do TO nominate town
ship officers.
This is in line with our state
platform. The initiative and rel
erendum, put In use, are truly
Democratic and ought TO meet
with the favor of all fairminded
Democrats. But the distribution
of patronage by men demanding
the exercise Of this power, claim
ing they were promised IT FOR de-
livering Michigan's vote IN bar
timore, is disgraceful.
1t puts our organization IN
bad light: 1t gives us lad point
TO explain to the progressive
Democrats, or with which to win
new converts. 1t is more disrepu-
table than any referee plan ever
mt IN use: It will cause continued
dissension, and end in disruption,
and keep the Democrats from re-
ing the dominant party in Michi'
gan for 20 years.
say down with boss rule III
Michigan. and let us put our trust
in the people. as Jefferson did
Yours truly,
ALBERT f. BEEBE.
On March "a. Mr.. Beebe wrote
President Wilson:
please excuse my writing you
and intruding on your time, but !
feel that conditions In Michigan
warrant
You are aware that our Demo.
cratic leaders, Messrs. Wood ana
Shields. organized Michigan hrst
for Mr.. Harmon; after your WISH
to Detroit, they changed to any
thing to beat wilson" some taik-
ed Clark, but they finally settieo
ON no instructions.
They now claim the right to
dispense patronage in Michigan,
because of promise made IN
Baltimore. In organizing to cap
ture the state, they appointed
man in each county to aid them;
he was to be remembered" IN
some cases he was promised
money to help him bring dele
gates to the state convention AZ
Bay City. These MEN who aldeS
them expect to act as their ref
erees In each county. knowing
the situation, have asked Gov.
Ferris to join me ia getting this
spoils system overthrow; and In
allowing the Democratic patrons
OF each postoffice TO caucus and
vote on whom they wish as post
masters. the result to be forward
ed for your consideration and ap-
pointment; to put in use the in
itiative and referendum which