The diamond drill., 1917-12-22
THE OSBORN ANNOUNCEMENT


THE OSBORN ANNOUNCEMENT.
The announcement Of the candidacy
Of Chase s. Osborn for the United
States senate to succeed Senator VIM.
Alden Smith who, several months ago
announced that he would not be a
candidate again but who, II is under
stood, Is about to reconsider that
statement and enter the field, was
published In most OF the papers OF
Michigan last week. The comments
upon Mr.. osborn's letter have been,
in the main, very fair and have con-
sidered Mr.. Osborn's announced pos
ition upon the several questions as
effecting his actions should he be
chosen to FIJI the position to which
he aspires.
A few of Mr. Osborn's irreconeil-
able enemies seized upon the new
words which the Osborn letter con
tributed to current usage to make
jest OF our ex-governor's ambition
Undoubtedly some of the writer's feel
that they have ample provocation for
taking fling at Mr.. Osborn on every
occasion possible. In the riotous pol
itical times OF 1912 Mr.. Osborn made
some very bitter political enemies. 1t
is not TO be expected that the big
things that have transplred would
scar over the personal sores. IL has,
however, weaned away public atten-
ton from them and the bearers will
find that Il will be OF little avail TO pick
AT the old scabs In order to bring
them back into public notice.
We doubt very much il the year
1918 can be measured with a 1912
yard stick Much water has gone
over the dam since that eruption ia
the republican ranks New condi-
tions, conditions that can be compar-
ed only to those reigning in the years
OF the Civil war have come suddenly
upon us and are engrossing the at
tention OF the electors. The war with
its attendant hardships has brought
home to every person the subject of
the future policy OF our government.
People are thinking in terms OF the
future, not OF the past. Voters are
not going TO be much interested IN
the side OF the fence that candidates
were on in 1912, nor what personal
enemies they made then. Voters are
going TO demand some information as
10 what candidates stand for in the
future, what their position Is going
10 be upon the great questions that
are lowering on the horizon and
which are going to overshadow every
thing else as soon as peace Is de-
clared
The coming elections are going 10
be the most important to the life OF
this government or any that have
been held since 1864 That fact IS
commonly conceded and voters arr
not going to pay much attention tc
camounage on the part OF those who
have personal scores to settle.
What does this man stand for, and
II ! vote for him can | depend upon
him 10 run true 10 the promises that
he makes2' is going 10 be the ques.
tion, and II Is upon that question thal
the election OF United states senator
in Michigan next fall Is going to b.
decided, not upon personal likes OF
dislkes OF politicians For that rea.
son the voters have focused their at
tentIon upon the meat Of Mr. Osborn,
announcement. not upon the esoteric
ness OF somo OF the words the docu
ment contained. Mr. Osborn's an
nouncement covered almost ever,
question probable In legislative circles
in the next decade. His position up
on each item IL freely STATED
and the voters have opportunity I,
contrast II with those OF the othei
candidates and make up their minds
which promises the best for the fu
ture.
~ n ~
Congressman James has entered II
congress joint resolution askinI
the secretary OF setate to enter upoI
negotiations with the government o
Italy 70 determine the status OF Itai