New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-06

N\NNSN w
n. s. PINGREE
lilo and Republicans generally delight to honor, or
Of the mighty Don Dickinson. gatekeeper Of
the Administration patronage pastures here, but
they would confess that of these favorite sons
occupy such a conspicuous place in the public eye
ut present as Hazen S. Pingree, Mayor of Detroit
q shoemaker by trade, tyro in statecraft and a
novice in the arts by which practical politicians
are supposed to realize their ambitions.
Undoubtedly Mr. Fingree is the man of the hour
One does not need to be here long to find that out
His name Is in your ear constantly Everybody.
apparently, has something TO say about him, and
q casual addition Of this general discussion, when
it is not participated in by the representatives of
the powerful corporations with whom the Mayor is
or has been at war, will suggest what Halleck
wrote 80 feelinely of poor Drake-none name him
but to praise The car drivers face kindles as he
tells how the Mayors wise counsel caused happy
settlement of the street railroad riots and reduced
the hours of labor within reasonable limits. The
small taxpayer explains, with marked satisfaction,
how of the big corporations have at last been
compelled TO bear their part of the ctys expenses.
The progressive citizen points 10 the system
of pavements and the lines Of electric
q partial result Of the Mayors unfagging zeal
The merchant and mechanic, the hodcarrier and
drygoods clerk, regardless of political lines unite
in praise of the man who has crossed swords with
such powerful adversaries the street railroads,
the and electric light companies, the steamboat
lines and the car works, and beaten them in every
encounter thus far, recovering franchises worth,
it is said, millions of dollars in the aggregate and
compelling these powers to recognize the rights Of
the people in manner unheard of heretofore
MORE COURAGEOUS THAN CLEVELAND
Even the most conservative element Of the com
munty while gently deploring AT times the Mayors
unyielding aggrcSsiveness, never question the
honesty of his motives. his absolute fidelity TO the
interests Of the city. his fearlessness and freedom
from demagogy His arts, they say are manly
arts The young politicians OF both parties in
language that is frequently more emphatic than.
refined, declare that "Pingree has more sand
than dozen Grover Clevelands." Why said
one Of them, an exceptionally bright believer in
Don Dickinsons Democracy, Cleveland, while
Mayor OF Buffalo, vetoed one measure and IL made
him Governor and that led 70 the Presidency
but P1ngree vetoes one Of ten times it's importance
almost every month. Not only this he has licked
the whole Common Council into subsection and
actually compelled them to assist him in beating
its masters the biggest and strongest corporations
In the country, which have been robbing the city
unmolestedly for years. I'm Democrat and al
ways will be- but put me down for our Mayor
every time. He has smashed the Democratic ring
and I'm betting that he will smash the Republican
rng before he gets through with It, Popular
Well. I should say he was man who can sue
cessfully defy both party machines must he pretty
eclid and that is what Pingree has douer
II would be difficult. after hearing this kind OF
talk for any length of time, to resist the inclination
to learn something more definite Of the mon who
tnspires IT, Tho Mayors Offices are on the ground
floor Of the City Hall rather attractive though
smoke-hegrimed structure which stands in the
heart Of the city, guarded by oannons commemor
alive OF Perry's great victory on Lake Erie. and
enjoys the peculiar distinction of having been
erected at cost inside the appropriation made for
It. Nearly 100000 Of the money set apart for
the work was returned to the city. But that hap
pened many years ago, in the golden age, when
all were for the State and even Tammany Hall
leaders did not become millionaires in twelve
month. Public work is not carried on here now
that way any more than it is in New-York though
Mayor Pngree is certainly doing his part in paving
the way for return of those brave days of old
Three rooms are set apart for him. The outer
apartment Is occupied BY a stenographcr and mes
eenQer. The largest room is supposed 70 be given |
I'D 70 the public The smaller room on the right !
Is for the Mayors special use. But you just |
as likely TO find him in one room as another. or
IN the hallway. talking to whoever happens To in
tercept him. There is formalty about the place !
or about him. There is no one on guard. no one /
10 prevent any caller no matter how humble. from |
right into where the Mavor Is at work
unless indeed there is meeting of the heads of de-
partments or some special conference
WORKS UNTIL MIDNIGHT WHEN REQUIRED.
awhat Is the best time TO see the Mayor" /
lsked a gentleman just before going to the City
Hall.
He smiled a. he replied, ANY time
What are his hours"
He has none.'
Well, when does he come and when does
b go?"
Oh, he comes down any time from o'clock
IN the morning until noon, and goes home any
dune from o'clock uutl midnight You'll al
ways And him At the City Hall unless he happens
% - called to his factory. Yes, those are pretty
long hours but you know we pay him big
'alary. How much? Why, Thousand dollar.
! year. He earns it. we admit, and we are going
10 raise his pay. In fact we have already do
,ided to do So"
What he had said in facctious way Ia strictly
q accordance with the facts The Mayor re
elves less than the ordinary bank clerk. and
bis he gives to his private secretary. He comes