New-York tribune., 1922-10-22
Michigan Fight
IN Sellatorsllip
Is MI, and Tuck
democratic Elk Governor
Gives Townsend Stout
BaitIe: Organix j q q a
Friends Through School
f)lher Contests WallS-Over
u of Is Republican Rep
resensalives Seem Sure
of Seats; Funds Curiailed
By Carter Field

1 DgTE9IE, Cc{. g. ssalesilEan pre-
,snts 4 peculiar political situation this
xesr while Senator Charles E. Town
serd the o'i Republican war horse OF
he state, is having the aght of his life
ard il in real danger, twelve OF the
thirteen Repaalicsn candidates for the
House are sure Of election: and the Re-
aubl;can stare ticket is conceded to
have saikosst
There are ,so reasons for this con-
dftion. The more important IS the
psrsonalisy OF The Democratic candi-
date against Mr.. Townsend, ex-Gov-
ernor Woodbridge N. Ferris popularity
known az the .Good Gray Governor
Ferris has run for Office many times III
tie last two decades in Michigan, and
has never failed to run at least 10000
sctes ahead of his ticket, even before
vomen were voting. On one occasion
ss ran l65, 600 votes ahead of his Demo-
.ratic colleagues. This was in 1904,
se year Roosevelt defeated Parker.
! Thirty-eight years ago Ferris estab-
Isshed the Ferris Institute, at Big
aspids, his chief idea being to have
school in which men of any age, re-
nrdIess of lack of education, could
receive instruction. One OF his early
purposes was to benefit the ignorant
lunberjacks, many of whom could not
sseu read or write,
Tours Like Bryan's
Ii order to win support for his school
Ferris began stumping up and down the
state, addressing meetings of ell sorts
md explaining his system. He has
d.ne, year in and year cut, in Michi-
gsn, what William Jennings Bryan has
done in the years of his Presidential
tsnpaigns. Probably there is almost
10 voter in the state, save the newly
rriyed immigrants, who has not lis
med to him.
h addition to this obvious advantage,
fnis enjoys, to an unusual degree,
/ tie good viii of his graduates. There
ne some 10000 Of them now living and
Ssting in Michigan, with whom Ferris
Il in more or less close touch. In g
state SO circumscribed as to the spend
ing Of money for political purposes
this is of iGcalculable political value.
kiof which gives little glimmer of
understanding as to why Ferris is the
only Democrat reelected Governor Of
Michigan since the Civil War. 1t ex-
plains Why it is possible that Ferris
has q chance of being elected Demo-
cratic Senator from Michigan, a state
which has never elected Democratic
Senator since the Republican party was
organized. Lewis Cass was elected
Democratic Senator and served for
short time after the organization of
the G. o. P. in 1854, but he WAS the.
last
Despite which, Senator Townsend has
note than an even chance of being re-
tscted. 1t is extremely difficult to
aaks the fight for him, in view of the
legal restraints on political expendi-
tires in this state, made more onerous
bg the vigorous fight the Democrats are
issue. Under the Michigan law can
didate must not spend more nor have
ala committee spend for him more than
half of one years salary of the Office
| fcr which he is running. AS a Senate.
gsts a salary of $500 a year, the Re-
publican committee may spend legally
iust Ss,750 and no more.
1t Is around this question OF expendi-
mres in campaigns, of course, that the
sewberry issue revolves. Not only is
he amount of money candidate can
pend legally limited SO sharply, but
there are many other restrictions. In
primary campaigns, for example, the
physical size of political leaflets and
posters is fixed at vest pocket size and
nof very large vest pocket at that. It
approximately 21a by Az inches.
When it is realized that most of the
MONEY spent by Newberry in his fight
70 kssp Henry Ford ,,,t of the Senate
u isls,the campaign being fought be-
1ofe me armistice-was spent for
newspaper advertising, certainly the
unit IN spending openly and above
hosfd, can be realized to what
,enetns sentiment has gone In Michi-
ssn @ on any expenditure Of money in
Yantlcal campaign. 1t is the moee
CURIOUS because in the old days, il one
"a oeiieVe the old timers, money used
1ew during campaigns in Michigan
~ lberally-not in such quantities
" ls expected to flow in Rhode ISL
sants. - = =
Nit has become quite b nrob,en, -,
@igan how to inform the neonIe
gut the merits Of candidate or fhe
saerlts OF his opponent, without yio-
Mng the law, especially If the news
apers OF the state are nof w;Ilino, 4
1--WE large amounts Of space free Ia
ae. arguments. W
In the primary campaign. for av.
ne, the Republicans found that tha
gate was invaded by a groun oS rad;s
'as, in close sympathy with the 80.
alled Farmer-Labor. or, more accs1.
hsely, the Nonpartisan League, els.
nents of adjoining states to the north
md west. Flushed with victory in
North Dakota and Iowa, they hoped
ier the nomination of en- extreme lib
aai at least for the United States SEN
Townsend Challenged Prejudice
They centered on Herbert F. Baker.
state Senator. For time it looked
y the leaders here as though Baker
Nv going TO sweep the primary, espe-
,ai,y as the conservative vote was sure
oe split three ways, part of it go
~ ~ 70 representative Patrick Kelly and
to John G. Emery, who was being
Legion. = s.i'
"A group Of Townsend's friends GOT
@gether for the avowed nurpose of
gaHsng up a fight in spite Of the Law.
10y raised, according to their state
ssnls, some $4,000, which thev gue,,t
saains frequent reports to the news
pess Of the state as to Just how the
asney had been used. Not hainp AZ
.Isa Isai committee, they held Themselves
syss i y the law limiting tho expenditures
= eS,Tbu Their vav,, o,,e -. : sN - =