Our Lansing Letter

Robert Burns, who was sometimes exciseman and sometimes poet, in h8 " Epistle to a Young Friend," discouraed after the subjoined fashion: A iree aff hand' yer ston' teil, When w i' a bosom crony, But still keep something to younwU' Ye scarcely teil to ony. Upon this good counsel I propose to et. While it is tny purpose, in the series of letters of which thig is the first, to keep the readers of tbis paper as fully informed as pos8Íble regarding such matters as eem to me may be of interest to thera during the present session of the legislatura, I shall endeavor to avoid tarnishing my epistles by the interpolation of defamatory tales or uncharitable reflections. With reasonable fair opportunities lor acquiring information, I hope to be able to make every letter interesting to all classes of readers, and at the same time I shall endeavor to render them so entertaining that the reception and perusal rt each sucoeeding letter' may be an occasion as joyous as one of Ooi. Stockbridge's recherche wine suppers. Here, as elsewhere throughout the state, Üie senatorial question dwarfs all others. Every candidate seems to be doing his utmost to secure the much-coveted prize. J. J Woodman, ex-ma-ter of the state ([range, received something of a boom during the late meeting of that body at the capitel city, but politicians do not give themselves much concern about him. His name has been brought forward more or Ie88 prominently in connection with that office at every senatorial election for the past decade, but his boomers never contri ved to créate any particular disturbance of the political atraosphere. The recent withdrawal of Gen. Cutcheon has not had a tendeney to decide the contest. His supporters, it is thougbt, will divide so as to give none of the other candidatos a decisive contingent. The retirement of Mr. McMillan from the contest is not considered as irrevocable as the laws of the Medes and Persians, and it is set down among the impossibilities that he may "in the interest of harmony" perhaps, be prevailed upon to patriotically step into the breach. His withdrawal is supposed to have somewhat augtnented the boom ot Jay A. Hubbell, whose propeo's were erstwhile of a decidedly dark horae nature. Ex Congressman Lacey has been cutting a pretty wide swath in the senatorial meadow, and his supporters are pughing his claims to the place with unabated eamestness. It was thought lesg then a month ago, that Senator Conger's re election was simply an impoasibili'y, and his candidacy was decried on all side. There are, however, strong surface indi cations that " there is life in tho old dog yet." Like Banquo's gHost, he will not down ; and I have come in contact with those who profess the power of casting a reasonably correct political horoscope who are willing to wager their remotest nickle that the " great objector" from the Sylvan City will be able, when the proper time camee, to put in his thumb and pull out the senatorial plum. It has become apparent, with the developments of the last few days, that Grand Rapids proposes to stand right by Mr. Fitzgerald. Certainly his boom is one of more than ordi nary vigor, and with proper irrigation and cultivation may fructify Renerously. The mentionof the name of Henry A Robison, of Detroit, as a labor candidate, has brought a derisive smile to many a countenance. I must confess the idea of a knight of labor in the U. S. senate is somewhat ludicrous. The dawn of the millennium is not yet visible. Since Mr. McMillan'a withdrawal the f rienda of Col. Stockbridge have claimed for him a following that infiures his election. His boom is in the hands of Sherman S. Olds and Wm, Van Buren, of this city, both indefatigable workers, and they are leaving no stone unturned under which may be concealed a doubtful or susceptible member of the legislature. That thecolonel is in the van is evidenced by the fact that it has been Stockbridge aeatnst the field for ome time. It is this very fact that renders his s necean so.ni'what dubious and makes speculation a toul-harrowing and altogether useless employment. ' At the recent meeting of the state grange at tiiis city a committee of three, conMsting of A. C. Giddens, of Paw I'w, G. N. Trowbridge, of Pontiao, and R. W. Freeman, of Litchfield, was appointed to look after ceriain legislation which that body believes would be very bene6cial. The grange has asked the legilature to provide for placing the liquor tax fund in the contingent t-ind of eounty treasuries instead of turning it over to tbe municipal ities; to change the age of consent Tor fernales from ten to sixteen years; to provide for the better protection of persons traveling on highways from the traction engine nuisance; and to make adequate provisión for the admission of female students to the agricultural college. Lansinc, Jn. 3, 1887.