Nice Republican Harmony

There is trouble in the Republican camp and each day brings out some new feature of the fun in the party now controling the state. It's all about Gov. Rich's desire for a renomination and from the outlook it is no sure thing that he will get it, and if he does .he may be sorry for it. The upper part of the state is hot all the way through over the bouncing of state officers, while the old liners of the other sections are as much put out over the appointment of Senator Patton. The first sign of trouble for Rich was the letter of congratulation of ex-Gov. Luce to Mayor Pingree which on the face of it read like an offer to join forces and defeat their cornmon enemy. The second step made public was the report of a secret meeting of leading Rapublicans of the state at Detroit, Tuesday, for the purpose of devising plans to secure Rich's scalp. According to the Evening News, among the most active opponents of Rich who attended this meeting, was our own H. D. Platt, of Pittsfield, one of Rich's warmest supporters and hardest workers two years ago. The News prints the following interview with Mr. Platt and the Argus republishes it as the best way to show what a nice, harmonious time the Republicans have in view: "The people who are countinsron the nomination of Hou. John T. Bich tor governor havo an aniount of disap pointment in store for theni that will surprise you. VVhile Mr. Rich's service as governor lias been eminently satisfactory is was hia lons term of service in the capacity of railroad commissioner, congressman, legislator, county treasurer, supervisor, etc- covering, in all, a period of more than 25 vpjirs- í verv much mistake the per of tbe people if he is accorded a renomination this year. The administration of Mr. Eich has been conservative, and eminently satisfactory, but unfortunately for him the party in this state has, during its history, become indebted for valuable service to more than this one man. I have no doubt but much will be conceded to Mr. "The people will probably ratify his selection of a United States senator in Mr. Patton. They will doubtless adopt his selections for the various state offices, to-wit: secretary of state, land commissioner, state treasurer.etc. for who could be found in the commonwealtli more satisfactory in these positions than Washington Gardner, James M. Wilkinson, and the irrepréssible "Billy" French? I say Gov. Ui.li's selecticii, in eacli of these iuhiances, will doubtless be bACked up by the people 111 convention, but they a nnt. in a temüer to accord more than thisto liim just at present. ïmi will finí! that when it comes to the selection of the executive head of our administration, the people will take warning of the Waterloo which the republican party met following the convention at Minneapolis, when a good, and wise. and patriotic mau like Benjamin Havrisot was forced into renomination by postmasters, internal revenue collectors, collectors of customs, cabinet officers, and offlce-holders in general, against the better judgment of the rank and file of the republican party, whose votes are required to round the thing up on election day. No, the republican party will not risk this soit of machine politics this year. Republicans will have an opportunity to vote for a clean, new head on their ticket when they go to the polls next November. "And I have been thiking that more than likely this would be a soldiers1 year. I expect, when the state convention convenes, the party representatives will not only decline to run Mr. llich fer a second term, but I expect to see a resolution put through the convention committing the party to the one-term policy for executive officers, both state and national. Why, it is perfectly paralyzing to see the way some of these people are disposed to hang on, when once the party bas shown a preference for them. Heretifter you will flnd that thepositions of governor and president will be passed around. No one man will be alowed to serve to exceed a single term. ;' You see, the case is entirely different frorn other state officers, or from the position of congressmen, or United States senator. ït has sometimes been found that in these capacities the longer men are permitted 10 serve, the more useful thev become to their uents. AVhen James M. Tumor was the party's candidate in 1890, you will remembeithathepublishedfarandwide, both before and after the state convention, that ií elected he would never consent to have his name used for a secondterm. But as a rule, candidates have been too tenacious of power to make any such declarations although it has been whispered about that Gov. Rich, two years ago, indorsed the oneterm idea, in a conversation with Col. Aaron T. Bliss, and as a result of that Col. Bliss set the wheels in motion which gave Rich one-half of the Saginaw delegation, which had been advertised to be sold for Pingree, "No, young man, you will find that 1894 will be a good year for the old soldier, when it comes to the gubernatorial nomination. You will remember how the good people of Michigan patted the soldier on the back in the 60's, urging them to go to the front and save the Union, and assuring them that, after their mission had been accomplished, a gratef ui people would seo their valor and loyalty richly rewarded. How well has this promise beeu kept? Tke war was over HO year ago, and, as I remember it, notwithstanding we have consumtiy had on all sides of us battle-scarred veterans, the chap who stayed at home and attended to the bank, the farm, the sawmill or the store, has been preferred over the soldier in selecting our governors in 28 out of these 30 years. "The people, however, will not persist in this base in?ratitude. Ia 1894, you will see Col. A. T. Bliss, of Saginaw; Private Hazen S. Pingree, of Wayne; Gen. George Spalding, of roe, Col. Dean, or Capt. E. P. Allen, of VVaahtenaw; James O'Donnell, or Col. C. Y. Deland. of Jacksou; Gen. J. C. Buitows, of Kalamazoo; Gen. lí. D. Prjtchard, of Allegan: Gen. Byron M. Cutcheon, of Kent; Gen. O. L. Spauldinjï. of Clinton; Gen. Hartsuff. of 8t. Clair; Maj. C. W. Watkins. of Kent, or some otheroneof tlie uatiou'a noble defendéis, selected for our standard bearer. Yon will tínd tliat a man can be readily selected from the above list of plurned knights who will thoroughly harmonize any possible conflieting interest in tbe party, in all parts of the state, We must have the solid Scandinavian vote of the Lake Superior country, the solid support of the friends of that grand old comaioner, Cyrus G. Luce, of Gilead- in fact, the united strength of the party must be commanded from all quarters of the state. We freqently owe mach to one man, but never so niuch as to the party under whose banner we maren. Part} interests must not be lost sight of, although we must confesa that in the past the party has surïered through the desire of those on the iiiside to perpetúate themselves. It is a little early to tellyou just what will be done tliis year, but yju will see that it is a people's year when tlie clans are rounded up and meet in state cóuvention."