The All Absorbing Topic

THE ALL ABSORBING TOPIC.

The all absorbing topic in state politics at the present time is the probable action of the legislature upon the election of a United States Senator and upon the proposed railroad tax measures grouped under the general name of Pingree legislation. It is conceded upon all sides that while the Burrows men are as a rule opposed to Pingree measures neither house will divide in exactly the same manner upon both questions. A gentleman who is a disinterested observer and yet whose business places him in a position to give a fairly accurate opinion, says that the senatorial fight will be settled in the republican caucus, although neither Burrows nor Pack have enough votes pledged at the present time to elect. In his opinion Pack will be the successful candidate.

A careful estimate of the senate, counting all of the democrats but one against Burrows, gives the senator 13 votes with three doubtful. On the same basis the Pingree people will have 15 votes sure, with two doubtful. If the Burrows people develop a majority in the senate it is probable that they will unseat Senator Perren, of Detroit. Two or three senators who are set down as Burrows men are expected to vote for the Atkinson bill in obedience to the expressed will of their constituents. If they do so the Atkinson bill stands a fair chance of passing the senate by a small majority.

The fate of the governor's pet measures in the house is more difficult to estimate. White the Atkinson bill passed the house at the special session of 1898 by an almost unanimous vote it is well known that that vote did not represent the real strength of the measure. If it had not been certainly known the measure would be killed in the senate it would not have received a majority in the house. The vote was given in obedience to a caucus mandate to save the republican party in the fall elections.

From these figures it will be seen that the outcome of the winters' work of the legislature is as yet a matter of speculation.

Hitherto most of the bonded warehouses have been on the shores oi Kentucky, but if the administration keeps up its lick the whole country will be a bonded warehouse.