The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-08-16
Grant Hudson for Chase Osborn

Grant M. Hudson, superintendent
of the Michigan Anti-Saloon league,
who in common with most of the anti
saloon leaders in other states, knows
politics even better than most of the
politicians themselves, has just re-
turned from a tour of the counties in
the upper peninsula and the west and
southwest parts of the state. He has
made special inquiry into political
conditions. One reason for the sue
cess of the Anti-Saloon league is the
fact that it has always been on the
jump after advance information on
political tendencies.
81 found that Chase Osborne is
drawing strength from five distinct
factors" said Mr.. Hudson. 'In the
first place, there is the reflective part
of the electorate that is weighing
the merits of the candidates and will
vote according to the qualifications
they find. Osborn is a cosmopolite
who has studied worldwide problems
in foreign countries. He is equipped,
not only on national affairs, but on
international questions. In the re-
construction period his training, ex-
perience and ability would be invalu-
able in the United States senate.
Ahead of His Times
"The second factor for Osborn is
the dry vote, the voters who regard
prohibition as the great thing. Os-
born was the chief instrument in
making Michigan dry. AS governor
he was five years in advance of his
times in advocating the abolition of
the dram shop. In the 1916 fight that
made Michigan dry it was Osborn
who led the fighting.
"Another factor is one which the
Democrats have supposed would be
solid for Ford, the men who are rid
ing around in them. But wherever l
go l find these men are weighing the
mischief Ford wrought with his prop
uganda against preparedness. They
are seeing how Ford's influence, his
peace at any price preachments, the
clamorings of the Ford advertise
ments that it was war of capitalists
and money bags, all this in the period
before we got into the war, prolonged
it by delaying the formulation of pub
lie sentiment in America. ~ is be-
coming realized up to Time Ger
many forced war upon us, Ford did
not know what the Democrats of the
world were fighting for.
Other Factors of Influence
"a fourth factor is labor, which is
not forgetting that it was Osborn as
governor who called the state legis-
lature together in special session and
forced through the workmen's COM
pensation law, another bit of advanc-
ed legislation for which he was at
tackled at the time.
"a fifth factor is this: "The Re-
publican voters, in view of the I'M
swerving loyalty with which Repub-
lican officials from Michigan have
supported President Wilson in all war
measures, are resenting interference
on the port of Democratic politicians.
The president is strong among the
people, but the Democratic politicians
are not.
because Ford is great industrial
genius does not alone make him a
statesman. 1t would be quite as log
ical to make him head of the Ameri-
can navy because he is the chapion
automobile maker, or to make him
commander of the American expedi-
tionary forces because he knows more
about gas engines than anybody else
on earth.
Miners Like Osborn
"I find sentiment afire for Osborn.
In the upper peninsula an official of
the Cleveland Cliffs Mining company
in which Mr.. Newberry is interested,
told me the mine owners hadn't for
gotten the tonnage tax, but that Os-
born would carry his country. Min
ers told me the same thing. From
what discovered along the west side
of the state, firmly believe that in
the western and southwestern sec
tions of the state Osborn will get
threeout of every five votes cast"