Governor Real

Governor Beal.

The mere mention of our fellow citizen, R. A. Beal, as being a candidate for governor, draws forth a variety of comment from the people of this city and county. His enemies, of whom there are many, laugh at the idea and wonder who will write his messages, vetoes, and perform the intellectual labor incumbent upon the executive. Others believe that he does not expect the nomination and that his ambition consists only in being able with the delegates from this congressional district to hold a balance of power, and, by throwing them to the successful candidate, put him under such obligation, that, in the event of vacancies occurring in the Board of Regents he will be able to dictate appointments. His friends urge that he possesses a capacity equal to that of the present incumbent, especially in the financial world; and that in energy and honesty he is not behind any of the long line of executives that have presided over Michigan. 

   There is no longer a doubt but that he is in the field whatever the result may he. He claims to have a large number of letters from different sections of the state asking him to be a candidate. Why those letters were written and what the inspiriting motive was, is open to conjecture to those who know him best and the devious ways of a politician. A Detroit correspondent of the Chicago Times writes at length of Michigan politics, discussing the several candidates for governor beginning with Rich whom he placed in the lead, and, after speaking of Jerome and Palmer, writes thus [cf] our townsman: 

   R. A. Beal, editor of a republican paper at Ann Arbor, is also seeking the chair of the executive. He is a man of indomitable will, of untiring energy, and apparently inexhaustible vitality. His merciless onslaught in the Rose-Douglas case at the university, in behalf of Rose, arrayed the Methodists in his favor, and it is believed that be will get a bigger vote in the convention than most people mistrust. He is not an educated man. but is horse-headely sensible and makes up in fire, energy, and zeal whatever be may lose by reason of lack of culture and education.

    The main things developed last week in the Whittaker investigation was that there has been a tacit understanding the among not to associate with the colored boy, who was thus, as one of the professors said, "deprived of that interchange of ideas and hints with his fellow pupils" which every school boy knows to be of inestimable assistance in a course of study. Of all the cadets, Whittaker alone could look for no assistance in study from his fellows. Under such circumstances his standing of 72 on a maximum of 100 probably indicates better natural abilities, closer application to his studies, and better performance of his military duties than of 85 attained by cadets having the advantages of which he was deprived. Gen. Schofield testifies that "it was understood by the officers and cadets generally that Whittaker is under the special protection of the military authorities, and, indeed, of the whole country. He was the one cadet not to be abused, because of his isolated position. An assault on any cadet officer would surprise him much less than an assault upon Whittaker." This may be true; but the investigation has also shown. though it has not demonstrated who assaulted Whittaker, that there was among the low-bred high-breds at the Academy a strong determination to be rid of the quiet and inoffensive cadet of obnoxious color. 

   The second trial of Jesse Billings for wife-murder is in full blast at Ballston Spa, Saratoga co..N. Y.  On the first trial the jury disagreed, one of the twelve good men and true holding out to the last that Billings was guilty of the crime charged. The present jury is composed of eleven farmers and one boatman. Same four days were exhausted in getting the jury. Both sides of the case are represented by eminent and learned counsel. No bit of evidence for or against the prisoner will be left unnoticed, no witness will be left unsworn. The trial will be long and tedious, no doubt. The interest felt In this trial is paramount to the interest displayed in the Hayden trial in Connecticut. Much expert testimony will be introduced and each point will be stubbornly fought by the lawyers. All In all the jury is entitled to the sympathies of the people. 

   Mrs. Custer's emphatic criticism of the statue erected to her husband at West Point, and her protest against the erection of a similar one at Washington, are unique. It is the first time the friends of a departed celebrity have had he courage to protest against injuring him in the eyes of posterity. Even the veneration people have for Washington does not prevent people from making fun of some of the statues sacred to his memory. Such jeers could have been prevented if his relatives had possessed artistic views and the courage of Mrs. Custer to express them.

    Senator Conkling: "The prevailing idea of the canvass against Great has been most extraordinary- little less than a menace, not to support if the majority see fit to nominate him. The party which allows itself to be bullied by a minority deserves the fate of a government which allows itself to be bullied by a mob. Neither deserves to live, and will not live.'' 

    Ex-Confederate brigadier-general and late postmaster-general Key of Hayes' cabinet has accepted an U. S. judgeship for the middle district of Tennessee. Salary $3,500.

   Kemble may count himself lucky that his lot fell in Pennsylvania, and not in New Jersey. Mr. John R. Bogert of  Hackensack, in the latter State, convicted on Thursday of obtaining money under false pretences, sentenced on Friday to three years' imprisonment, and ate his breakfast on Saturday in Trenton prison.

    The Washington dinner to Boss Shepherd, with Belknap and  Babcock among the guests, will recall memories and inspire reflections. So will the reappearrance of S. W.  Dorsey and Powell Clayton as leading members of the solid Grant delegation from Arkansas to the Chicago Convention. With returning sunshine and warmth the snakes thaw out and crawl forth from their holes. The mere hope of a third term of Grant is thawing out the ring jobbers and the carpet-baggers.

    Wm. Moller, a friend of Mr. Tilden, declares that the old gentleman is physically and mentally is vigorous as be was. in the prime of life. He admits that his left arm is nearly useless and that has to be helped at the table, particularly In cutting his meat, but says that his whispering is only t disagreeable habit arising from a remarkably acute sense of hearing and not a necessity. He does a prodigious amount of work, sometimes laboring far into the night, and trusts nobody. "Since his nearest relatives proved so faithless in receiving the cipher dispatches"

    The Pennsylvania board pardons, which met in hot haste, Friday, to consider the cases of Kemble and the other convicted bribers, recommended executive clemency, and the governor immediately released them from imprisionment. It is presented that Judge Pearson transcended his authority in sentencing the corruptionists, but this the magistrate indignantly denies. He says, also, that he knew all the time that they had been promised pardons. and predicts that the others yet to be tried will be liberated in the same way, if convicted. It has only been a question of time, from the first, when political influence would set the offenders free. The result of the prosecution of this ring is in keeping with the shameful political practices which have obtained in the Keystone state. 

   It is explained that the recent rigorous enforcement of the Sunday law by the Mayor of Louisville was due to his fund of 'grim humor." But the citizens whose milk was soured by the thunder on Saturday night did not enjoy the joke when they found that they couldn't get sweet milk on Sunday. The humorous Mayor's action was a blessing to the preachers, for it gave them fresh topics, and insured interested hearers. One of them embraced the opportunity to advance some cogent reasons why preaching could be stopped on Sunday if it were a violation of the law. It was not, he said, a necessary part of the observation of the Lord's day, and if stopped, a deal of foolish pulpit gabble would cease. Besides, there would be r.o loss, for the saloons, beer gardens, and variety shows did more harm on one Sunday than all the preachers did good in a week of Sundays. Moreover, the preachers could "make the city tremble" with preaching on week days.