Townsend Is Obliged To Deny

TOWNSEND IS OBLIGED TO DENY

He Privately Repudiates a Bargain With Judson

Striving Hard for the Anti's Votes in Washtenaw-Half of Claimed Pledge Carried Out

This is the way the republican political situation in Washtenaw looks to the Detroit To-Day:

The political situation is becoming more entangled than ever. Charles E. Townsend, of Jackson, Bill Judson's nominee for congress, has been in town assuring the anti-Judsonites that he has made no promises whatever to the big republican boss. Part of the antis seem to favor him and are offering support but the larger part are keenly suspicious especially as it is known that before the convention Townsend and Judson had a half hour's conference at Adrian. They firmly believe that Townsend made two pledges to Judson in return for Judson's support, first that he would swing Jackson county into line for Bliss; second that if elected he would throw the federal patronage into the hands of Judson. The first actually did come about and the fulfillment of the suspected second pledge is what they greatly fear.

H. G. Prettyman, a rank anti-Judsonite, is managing Townsend's campaign and is endeavouring in every way to swing the antis into line for Townsend. Townsend insists that he has made no promises but he is regarded suspiciously by the majority of the anti-Judsonites. The result of this state of affairs is simply to split the anti-Judsonites and bring part of them in harmony with Judson's nominee for at least this one office.

The fight in Washtenaw county is still muddled and takes no definite shape. The Judsonites hold their convention next week, and the democrats the week after. Then after these conventions the antis will determine their policy much in accordance with the character of the tickets. They may support the democratic ticket or put up a ticket of their own.