Washtenaw In Convention

WASHTENAW IN CONVENTION

How Republicans Name a Congressional Candidate

EXCITING MOMENTS

When Politics Are Played-Wedemeyer Promised Support Four Years Hence

The Adrian convention is a thing of the past. Washtenaw republicans favorite son, W. W. Wedemeyer, was not nominated for congress but he named the nominee and the nomination four years hence is practically pledged to him if Jackson county can give it to him.

It was a record breaking convention. Four years ago the convention In Ann Arbor broke the record with its 393 ballots, but the convention at Adrian badly smashed this record with its 801 ballots. The republicans of this district have come to regard the congressional honor as one to be struggled for by the various counties. If the man who was the individual second choice of the delegates at the convention had been named the name of the nominee would have been Wedemeyer. But the delegates held for their counties.

If Congressman Smith, after the first day's balloting, had retired when it was seen that only a miracle could nominate him, Wedemeyer might have been named, but the congressman wanted the one chance In 1,000 of being nominated. His only hope was to get 21 votes out of Washtenaw. Bacon would have gone to Townsend or Townsend to Bacon rather than to see Smith nominated. Either or both would have come to Wedemeyer first, but neither would break except to defeat Smith. Washtenaw occupied a position so that It could name the nominee. The Bliss and the McMillan machine was against Smith, just as it is against Weeks, who will be slaughtered when his convention assembles. Tom Navin, of Detroit, was present as representing the machine. He also had a private grudge against Smith. He made him city attorney of Adrian when Smith was starting in business and believed that Smith owed to him the foundation of his legal success. Yet when Navin sued the Evening News of Detroit for a large amount for libel, Smith accepted a retainer from the Evening News.

ANN ARBOR POSTOFFICE.

It was generally believed in Adrian and apparently by all the candidates that early in the balloting Washtenaw would go to Smith. The talk of the Ann Arbor postoffice and the warm friendship existing between Smith and Wedemeyer had done its work and prejudiced Wedemeyer's candidacy. The majority of the Lenawee delegates expressed great admiration for Wedemeyer, but evidently they expected his vote for Smith. Smith confidently counted on 11 votes in Monroe. When it was shown that Bacon's fine work had counted in that county, as well as the fine work of the federal machine and that under no circumstances could Smith get more than 5, his stock went way below par. Still the Bacon and Townsend men feared Washtenaw. As the balloting went on and the Washtenaw men never for a moment wavered in their allegiance to Wedemeyer, not one admitting that they would not stand by Wedemeyer until the last  ballot was taken, with the comforting knowledge that Smith was beaten, the Bacon and Townsend men sat back in their chairs waiting for Lenawee to break. Navin was seen in conference with Grant Fellows, the Lenawee leader. The press representatives, who are quick to scent the news, practically agreed all the morning that Townsend's chances were the best. He was within 19 votes of the nomination and had some delegates in Lenawee. Lenawee might make terms with him and go in a body, even if a majority did prefer Wedemeyer. Navin's work was watched with anxious eye. Suddenly like a burst of lightening in a clear sky, Mr. Glazier came over and held a short conference with Judson, and the Washtenaw leader arose and asked for 15 minutes that Washtenaw might caucus. This was granted, and the delegates gathered in excited groups querying why this sudden break by Washtenaw. Was it finally going to Smith? Were all calculations to be upset? Could Smith get 21 votes out of Washtenaw? If not he would still be beaten. The various leaders conferred. Word was passed to stand firm for Smith could still be beaten.

AN EXCITING CAUCUS.

Over in Washtenaw's room an exciting caucus was being held. Its members were pledged to secrecy and an exact report of it cannot be given, yet it is known that many of the delegates wanted to stick to Wedemeyer to the last. The leaders, however, knew that unless Smith would come to Wedemeyer, he could not be nominated. A. F. Freeman labored with Smith during the recess but he was obdurate. He demanded that Washtenaw's vote be given to him. Washtenaw demanded that old pledges be fulfilled. Smith, it is said, promised to get out of the way in two years and give Wedemeyer his delegation, but in the delegation there was excited talk about broken pledges.

Finally. when it was seen that Lenawee could not be brought in a body to Wedemeyer, Washtenaw did what she went into caucus to do, decided to turn to Townsend. Judson was in conference with Jackson. Wedemeyer had to be called in to induce some of the delegates to quit voting for him, so firmly was their mind fixed on continuing to stick to Wedemeyer. Finally the caucus united, but each member came out with sealed lips and when asked what he was going to do said, "Stick to Wedemeyer."

When the convention, which had adjourned for two hours in response to Washtenaw's request for further time, reassembled, there was an excited moment of suspense until the roll was called, and when William Judson shouted when Washtenaw was called, "Washtenaw gives her 22 votes to Charles E. Townsend!" a congressional nomination had been made and Washtenaw had done it. The Washtenaw delegates seemed to be nearly as happy as Jackson.

The candidates were brought before the convention and made good speeches without exception. Mr. Wedemeyer was particularly happy in his remarks and was loudly cheered.

SPEECHES AT JACKSON.

Washtenaw went to Jackson in the evening and participated in the celebration there. Jackson was wild with enthusiasm and had a big parade, with fireworks. Speeches were made in the public square by Gen. Withington, W. W. Wedemeyer, Gen. Fred Green, Rev. Fr. Reilly. Charles E. Townsend and William Judson. Mr. Judson was not on the program but the crowd would have him and he appeared and really acquitted himself well in his maiden effort, there being hopes that "Silent Bill' may not always remain silent. Wedemeyer's speech took well with the crowd, which shouted that he as all right. Judson was assured that he was all right, and over and over again Washtenaw was assured that she was all right. Gen. Withington in his speech gave all the credit for the nomination to Washtenaw, and it was plain that Washtenaw had been promised the nomination four years hence.

Washtenaw was much in evidence at the convention. Gen. Green was its chairman and made one of the best chairmen a convention ever had, keeping it in good humor with his witty sallies. State Tax Commissioner Freeman's nomination of Wedemeyer was the most logical delivered, and while not possessing the finished oratory of Grant Fellows' nomination of Smith, was the most talked of nominating speech. Judson's every movement was followed. Washtenaw made the nomination and with this those in the secret say Frank P. Glazier, of Chelsea, one of Wedemeyer's foremost friends, had much to do. Mr. Glazier promises to become more of a power in the state and congressional republican politics, and evidently knows how to handle the responsibility.

James E. Harkins was called before the convention for a song. So delighted was the audience that he had to respond to an encore. After the nomination a crowd of Washtenawians sang in different parts of the city, gathering large crowds in the hotel lobbies. The Wedemeyer yell given at various times resembled a university yell, and they had a Townsend yell ready, which the Washtenaw delegates gave when, he was nominated.

Among the Ann Arborites in attendance upon the convention either as delegates or rooters were William Judson, H. G. Prettyman, Capt. John Haarer, City Clerk Harkins, Leo Gruner, Dr. H. J. Burke, Carl Storms, Lester H. Canfield, A. M. Robison, H. H. Seeley, William Eldert, E. B. Bel, Geo. Sweet, Charles Masten, Fred Huhn, Geo. Cox. There were a number of others, these names being simply hastily written from memory.

There are many interesting reminiscences of a great convention that can be brought out later.