James Mcmillan

The death of Senator McMillan carne to the people of Michigan as a great shock, as a thunder-clap out of a clear sky. No one had any reason to look for so sudden a termination of his career, not even his own family. In his death Michigan loses one of her most conspicuous citizens, one whom she has delighted to honor. In recent years Senator McMillan had, not spent much of his time in Michigan, but his influence was present. He was a recognized power also in the national councils. He was undoubtedly one of the most influential men in the upper branch of congress and had an important part in shaping most of the legislation of that body. He will be greatly missed in the senate.

The greater part of Mr. McMillan's business career was spent in Michigan and he was successful beyond the degree vouchsafed to most men. He was one of Michigan's most wealthy citizens and all his wealth was amassed by himself and through his own exertions. In commercial capacity he was undoubtedly a man of the first order of ability, and he likewise possessed great executive ability. He built up a fortune estimated at several millions of dollars and in the doing of this he was recognized as a man of the strictest honor and integrity. He was quick also to take notice of these same traits on others and many men of high standing in the commercial affairs of Michigan today gladly acknowledge his influence in shaping their business careers, and the debt they owe him in the start he gave them in their business life. He was a developer of industries and made his money in this way rather than in the manipulation of stocks. In this way he vas a most valuable man for the city of his residence and the state of his adoption.

In the politics of the state he was as powerful and as successful as in business. But it can scarcely be said that his political career redounds to his credit in any such degree as does his business career. His supremacy in the state was marked that his methods of reaching this position cannot be commended as can his business methods. In his control of Michigan politics, he was essentially a machine politician. He was not very scrupulous as to how he won or maintained his ascendancy. With him the maintenance of it was the great factor in the matter. As a result he was naturally surrounded by men and he used men who are anything but a credit to him or the state. In fact it mattered little to him what they did or how they did it, provided only they took care of the policies of Senator McMillan. In this way his influence has aided in consummating legislation and policies which have been and are detrimental to good government and honest administration of public affaire. He, through his agents, abused the political power entrusted to his hands and the hands of his party. So far as known, his powerful hand was never outstretched for cleaner politics in Michigan, but was used to further the political interests of James McMillan and the party machine. His political influence never tended to elevate the tone of the electorate in Michigan. He appeared to believe, and to operate on that belief, in political matters, that it is not essential that a man follow the same strict standards in politics that distinguishes Hr. McMillan's business career. But in his political career there was nothing mean or sordid. He personally, during his political ascendancy, was never connected with any suspicious or questionable transactions. But he used, and in fact constructed, the necessary machinery to secure and hold that ascendancy without regard to the will or the interests of the people.

In capacity and influence he will rank well up with the greatest men Michigan has had in the senate of the United States. As a national legislator he had the courage of his convictions and was to be found lined up on the side of his convictions. He was no time server, but constructive in his work as a legislator.

Just what the result of his death will be upon Michigan politics may not be predicted. But it is scarcely likely to strengthen Gov. Bliss in any way. With his powerful hand removed from the machine, it is not likely to run even as smoothly as heretofore.

Why would it not be a good thing for the government to commission J. P. Morgan to promote a combine of American and English warships? A trust of that kind would mean a great increase of efficiency and make a big saving.