Harmony Broods Over The Republican Ranks

HARMONY BROODS OVER THE REPUBLICAN RANKS

Senator Glazier Has the Present County Organization With Him

Said That Prettyman May Try to Oust Him in Townsend's Interest - The Selection for County Chairman

Republican politics in Washtenaw are warming up. Aspirants for leadership are coming from under cover and soon the merry fight may be on. Senator Glazier, who is evidently the candidate of the republican state machine for the state treasurership, is on the one side said to have placed himself in the position of the real leader of his party in Washtenaw. On the other side H. G. Prettyman is said to be preparing with the powerful help of Congressman Townsend, who may have offices to give out, to make a struggle for leadership with a view of harmonizing all factions.

On Saturday last it was Senator Glazier's move and the republican county committee at Ypsilanti elected W. F. Riemenschneider, of Chelsea, county chairman. This was heralded as constituting the real leader. It will be remembered, of course, that William Judson never aspired to the county chairmanship. He was rather the maker of county chairmen, and yet no one dreamed that the county chairman for the time being was the leader instead of Judson, the man who made him. So it is at present, Glazier is the man who made the present county chairman. It was all cut and dried before the committee met. It is given out that the committee was unanimous, but if so why was it necessary to appoint a committee to select a chairman, a motion which by the way met with open opposition in committee. The committee was selected and of course the right committee was named and the deed was done.

Who is Riemenschneider? A decent, reputable man. There seems to be no question of that. Nor is there any question, in Chelsea at least, but what Riemenschneider would do anything that Senator Glazier would do anything that Senator Glazier wanted. Riemenschneider was made postmaster with the support of Glazier. Then, Glazier going back on Smith, Riemenschneider was succeeded by Hoover. Then Glazier pushed him for supervisor to succeed Bacon, but after a very hot caucus, productive of much harmony lost; but smiled broadly at Bacon's defeat by republican votes at the polls. The bolt from Bacon was not secret, but open. Then Glazier, who had a prominent hand in getting the county auditor bill fixed to suit himself, insisted on Riemenschneider for county auditor and won out despite strong republican opposition.

Will this appointment of chairman harmonize the party?

The Argus sought a strong follower of Judson who denounced the bolt of certain men who had been recognized as judsonites. "Good choice," he said. "Doesn't it mean Glazier's leadership?" was asked. "What of it?" was the reply, "Glazier puts up the money and it takes money to run campaigns."

This was certainly frank talk, with nothing of the "holier than thou" twang. It meant that Glazier's leadership is accepted because of money.

On the other hand a prominent Chelsea republican strongly denounced Senator Glazier and wanted to know why the Argus didn't show him up. That betokens another kind of harmony.

Still another republican remarked: "If there is any one thing we wanted in this county it was primary elections. Glazier fought this in the legislature."

The Times, of this city, apparently is not quite satisfied with Saturday's harmonizing effort. It calls it a "hidden performance," says the conditions attending it were "too silent" to suit republicans. It thinks the action in bad taste and questions Gen. Green's motives as well as "his right to call this meeting without publicity, after he had ceased to have a voting right in the country."

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As a further contribution to this potpourri of republican politics, the following article is taken from the Detroit News:

"I see that some of his friends claim the mantle of 'Bill' Judson, the picturesque political boss of Washtenaw county, who died a few weeks ago, has falled on State Senator Glazier, of Chelsea," declared a Monroe county friend of Congressman Charley Townsend to a group of politicians in the Russell house lobby, this forenoon. "I also notice that the election of Wm. F. Riemenschneider, of Chelsea, as chairman of the Washtenaw county republican committee to succeed Gen. Fred Green is an evidence that Glazier is now in control.

"Now, I have good reason to believe that neither of these claims is true. A new deal is being made in Washtenaw county politics, and, according to men there is a position to know, the representative republicans of that county are rallying around. H. G. Prettyman, of Ann Arbor, in greater numbers than around Glazier. I am told that Prettyman does not aspire to any office, and that he is merely acting as a sort of leader to bring about a reconstruction of the republican organization in Washtenaw on a fair and sound basis, to the end that harmony may prevail and that the republicans may present a solid front in every political campaign. Glazier's candidacy for state treasurer will probably be supported by the Washtenaw delegation to the state convention, next year, if he doesn't try to run things to suit himself.

"I am told that if the present plans of the reconstructors are carried out Congressman Townsend will likely break the two-term congressional rule in the second district, and will stand a good show to serve eight or ten years."

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In other words "Charley Townsend's Monroe county friend" thinks that Townsend wishes to place himself in a position to induce Glazier to release him from the pledges which secured his nomination. Another query, who are the representative republicans who are rallying around Prettyman in greater numbers than around Glazier? A knowledge of their names might give a better insight into republican politics.

Where is Helber in this reorganization scheme? He is is who was turned from bitter opposition to Smith to warm support by place on a committee. He has again been given a place on the republican committee. Has he again turned to warm support of an element he recently denounced in his editorial columns. What potency have these committee places that they should work such change?

The next republican county convention will be an interesting one. Glazier holds the reins of the organization now. Will he control the next convention? Will he control the next convention? William Judson's shoes are in demand. Who fits them, who can fill them?