MICHIGAN: Servant-Value

In Michigan fortnight ago voters roundly trounced Republican Governor Frank D. Fitzgerald by electing Democrat Frank Murphy in his stead. In the contest to succeed James Couzens in the U. S. Senate, the voters picked Democratic Representative Prentiss M. Brown. Senator Couzens having died during the campaign, the Republicans had one consolation prize. Before Governor Fitzgerald left office he could bestow an honor and an honorarium on some loyal Republican by appointing him to fill out Senator Couzens’ unfinished term. This week Mr. Fitzgerald made his choice. Said he: “The high office of United States Senator is nothing to toy with as a means of bestowing an honor that calls for no work and no responsibility.”

So saying he named Democrat Prentiss M. Brown to begin his Senate term a month and a half ahead of time. Reason: Mr. Brown would thereby gain seniority rights over other Senators who take office in January, thus adding to ‘”his value as a servant of the State.”