Evening star., 1938-11-09
6. 0. p. Gains Control
Of Michigan State
Government
Gov. Murphy Is Defeated
By Ex-Gov. Fitzgerald
By Wide Margin


By Wide Margin
DETROIT, Nov. s.-Republicans
regaining control of Michigan gov
ernment in Tuesdays election de-
feated the States New Deal Gov
ernor, Frank Murphy, and captured
three Of eight congressional seats
held by Democrats. Murphy lost to
former Gov. Frank D. Fitzgerald.
Returns from 3,49 out of 1858 pre-
cincts gave Fitzgerald 802,530 votes
and Murphy 7l3,555.
Michigan's new congressional
lineup is II Republicans and S
Democrats. Incumbent Democrats
Andrew j. Transue in the 9Th dis
trict. John Luecke in the 1lth and
George D. O'Brien in the 18th were
upset, O'Brien by former Repre-
sentative Clarence Mcleod of De-
troit.
Gov. Murphy, conceding defeat,
said in a formal statement:
Il fully accept the verdict of de-
mocracy. 1t has been a great privi-
lege to serve the people of Michigan.
My faith in the people is unshaken."
He wired Mr.. Fitzgerald Hearty
congratulations and best wishes for
success" and urged him to confer
with him soon, adding 'I shall be
glad to be of all possible assistance
toyou"
Murphy Is Detected.
The Governor had indicated dur
ing the night he expected defeat and
was plainly detected. However, a
telephone call from President Roose-
welt cheered the Governor before the
outcome became plain.
It was the first defeat for Gov.
Murphy in political life. He resigned
as Governor General of the Philip
pines to campaign successfully for
Governor of Michigan in the 1886
presidential year.
Gov. Murphys conciliatory labor
policies during the automobile sit
down strikes of 1887 were criticized
constantly by Mr.. Fitzgerald during
the campaign. Mr.. Fitzgerald also
advocated reputation of what he
called "the little New Deal in Michi-
gan"
President Roosevelt had indorsed
Murphy and indicated he considered
the Michigan gubernatorial contest
of special significance.
Michigan was Republican strong
hold for decades, but in the last six
years it elected Democratic Gov
ernors twice.
Mr.. Fitzgerald has been in Michi-
gan public life for Is years. Before
he was Governor he served as secre-
tary of State, business manager of
the State Highway Department and
earlier in minor positions.
Sees Wave of Confidence.
Mr.. Fitzgerald issued statement
which said in part:
THE outcome in Michigan will,
believe, send a wave of inspiration
and confidence across the Nation.
1t was here that novel and sensa-
tional approaches to labor problems
we're permitted. The vote indicates
that the people of this State, where
labor strife was more pronounced
than in any other, do not want sit
down strikes or labor holidays.
These things have become unpopu-
lar. That fact should be a tre-
mendous force toward discouraging
them not only in Michigan but in
every State, for movements which
are opposed to the public will can
not succeed.
Il pledge myself to do everything
within my power to establish new
era of progressive iberality in
Michigan, based on permanent
gains for labor.
Il believe the result here is a
significant indication of what may
) happen nationally in l940."
G. o. P. Majority Indicated.
Meanwhile incomplete returns in
dicated that Gov elect Fitzgerald will
have working Republican majorities
in both houses of the Michigan Leg
islature next year
In the House. where Democrats
now have 60-40 majority, returns
indicated Fitzgerald will have ap-
proximately 10 Republicans and 80
Democrats. In the Senate, where
Democrats now have a 17-15 tech
nical advantage, Republicans may
have as many as 20 of the 80 seats.
The outstate swing away from
Michigan's little New Deal" car
ried to the very shadow of the Cap
itol dome. Mrs. Elizabeth Lehman
Belen, Democrat from Ingham
County, 1st district and only
woman in the 1878 Legislature,
lost her race to Fred L. Kirscher,
Republican, Lansing Alderman.
At least one other woman was
slated for House seat in the next
session, however. Miss sRuth
Thompson, Republican of Muske-
gon, a newcomer to State politics,
was victorious in the Muskegon
County 1st district She ousted Rep
resentative Frank N. Steele, Demo-
crat, Muskegon.
Five other women were nominated
to the House in the September pri-
mary. but their fate in Tuesdays
election was indefinite on the basis
of early returns.
Hemp Brings Fine