Judson Made Alger Senator

Wedemeyer Wrote the Resolution That Did It

CONGRATULATIONS GIVEN

The Boss of Washtenaw Now the State Boss Upon His Fine Italian Handwork

The growth of State Oil Inspector Judson's powers are thus indicated as to how Alger became senator: 

One effect of the withdrawl of D. M. Ferry will probably be to make Oil Inspector Wm. Judson a bigger man than ever in state politics. A few days ago, Judson made the prediction that Gen. Alger would be elected unanimously, and now it seems that the Washtenaw wire-puller's prognostication will prove true, though it was treated as a  good joke by the McMillan men. Nobody took a more active part in bringing about the adoption of the indorsement resolution for Alger than did Judson, who seemed to fully realize its importance. 

For several weeks before the Grand Rapids convention Judson and his lieutenant, W. W. Wedemeyer, worked at county conventions to secure the election of delegates friendly to Gen. Alger, and that was why Judson was so certain of his ground at Grand Rapids in urging that Alger resolutions be introduced, even though Gen. Alger and some of his advisers were doubtful about the advisability of such a course. 

The best point made on the Alger side in the convention was securing the adoption, without debate, of a resolution indorsing President Roosevelt for another term, as it gave the Alger men a precedent. These resolutions were prepared in Judson's house by W. W. Wedemeyer and the oil inspector before they went to Grand Rapids, and they knew they were playing a trump card.

The Alger men now realize that Judson's generalship is of the finest kind in political battles, and Saturday everybody was congratulating the Washtenaw county man. It is likely, therefore, that Judson will be one of the strongest men in Gen. Alger's entourage. Alger will be regarded as the head of the g. o. p. and Judson's position will make him powerful.

That Judson's insistence on the introduction of a resolution of indorsement probably clinched matters is made apparent by the fact that the withdrawal of Mr. Ferry had been under contemplation for some days before it was given out. Matters were going Alger's way in nearly all the county conventions, and it became apparent to Mr. Ferry that he could not win. However, he held the letter in abeyance until after the convention, and the action of that gathering settled it in Mr. Ferry's mind that he could not win.