The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-03-31
Wanted-A Winner
(BIlssfieId Advance.l

Due 10 the fact that the Republicans
or Michigan have been unable to pick
winner at the primaries the party
has been compelled to stand aside and
permit a Democrat to administer the
affairs OF state in the executive office
for two terms.
There was no lack of Republicans
at the polls when il came to voting,
as the ticket in both campaigns, with
the exception of the head, was elected
by an overwhelming majority, but the
Republicans seemed at wide vari-
ance in the matter of choice for gov
ernor
With two defeats the leaders of the
party are approaching the matter OF a
gubernatorial candidate for 1916
rather gingerly. Several names have
been suggested as feelers, but no
rousing response seems to have fol-
lowed any of them. In fact most of
the tentative suggestions so far made
have savored of either political pap
or the old factional fights, hence the
lack of enthusiasm.
While there are several prominent
Republicans closely allied with one
faction or the other. who might pos
sibly be elected If nominated, the
chances are even that one who might
not be able to swing the election may
win out in the primaries This fact Is
the cause of some uneasiness among
those who, from party pride or hopes
Of political reward, are anxious to
pick a winner. What Is needed to
insure Republican success at the polls,
is a candidate on whom the several
factions can at once unite.
The latest candidate to announce
his willingness to go before the Re-
publicans at the primaries as can
didate for the gubernatOrial nomina-
ton, is Albert E. Sleeper of Bad Axe.
There is no doubt but that Mr..
Sleeper possesses to a large degree
the essentials necessary for. success at
the polls next fall. He was for four
years state treasurer and previous to
that service a member of the state
senate. In both positions he demon
strated his fitness for public Office and
won the confidence of the people. He
has a wide and desirable acquaintance
throughout the state and is free from
factional alliances and antagonisms.
But to get clearer and more COM
prehensive idea of the man and his
fitness for the high Office he seeks,
and would grace, one has but to visit
the Thumb of Michigan where he is
known to nearly everyone. Personally
we are not acquainted with Mr..
Sleeper, but have often visited that
part of the state where he is best
known and we are stalking our judg-
ment of the man on his acts as pub
lie official and what his neighbors
have to say of him.
Mr.. Sleeper has long been identified
with the business interests of that
section of the state where he has won
for himself most enviable reputa-
ton. He is a clean man in his per-
'sonal and political relations and as
man of extensive business affairs his
record is unassailable.
He has always taken an interest in
the public and political affairs of his
locality and of the state and is
Republican worker who stands for
clean politics. There would be no
doubt of his election if nominated
There is undoubtedly much other
timber in the state, but none of it
seems to have shown up. Many of
the gentlemen whose names have
been mentioned as candidates, il
elected, would make excellent officials,
but there seems to be Discrimination
among Republicans to take chances.
The nomination of a candidate car
rying foregone conclusion that a
certain bunch of political pap eaters
are to be fed for another term of
years, also carries the possibility of
defeat