The History of Genesee, MI, Chapter I, A Change in Regime

A CHANGE IN REGIME.

In the election of 1890 came the first real Democratic triumph since the Republican party was organized. Edwin B. Winans was a Democrat. The cause operating in Michigan in favor of the Democrats were part of a tidal wave which in that year swept the whole country. One of the most spectacular events in the nation's history occurred in Governor Winans' administration, the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of American, by Columbus. Governor Winans appointed a board of mangers, of which he was ex-officio chairman, whose service did great credit to the state in displaying her arts and industries. It is estimated that nearly half the adult population of the lower peninsula saw the exposition at some stage of its progress, many spending sometimes a week or more and making subsequent visits. The formal opening of the Michigan building took place on April 29,1893. This commodious and elegantly furnished structure cost upwards of forty thousand dollars. September 13 and 14 were set apart as michgian days at the fair and were well observed. Most striking was the exhibit made by Michigan in the agricultural building. The horticultural exhibit hardly did justice to the state, because of the failure of the apple crop the season before, and the inadequate appropriation for collecting and shipping and the lack of interest on the part of fruit growers. The forestry exhibit was adequate, befitting the most celebrated of the timber states. The mineral exhibit led all others in copper and iron and received more awards than that of any other state. The educational exhibit was fairly creditable. Mark W. Stevens, of Flint, later circuit judge, was secretary of the Michigan World's Fair commission.

The administration of Governor Winans was followed by that of John T. Rich, of Elba, Lapeer county, Republican candidate of 1892. Among the subjects of legislation considered in Governor Rich's administration were charters and charter amendments for municipalities, the borrowing of power of the state, taxation of church property, the contract labor system in the state prisons, and the fusion of political parties.