The evening times., 1896-08-22
.P|NGREE A STAR OF HOPE
Leaders Pin Their Faith to the
Eccentric Mayor.
MICHIGAN A PIVOTAL STATE
Republicans Argue That Their Nomi-
nee Will be Able to Swing the State
in Line for Mckinley, While Demo-
Gratis Claim His Silver Sentiments
VIII Give 1t to Bryan.

Among all the paradoxies engendered by
the unparalleled political conditions .his
year the situation in Michigan easily takes
the lead, in the minds of Washington poll
tcians. Since the unexampied exhibition
made by the Democratic convention last
spring, political affairs in the Peninsui;:r
State have progressed by rapid stages from
disorder 10 chaos until at the present time
The situation is unique in American politics.
Out OF the wreck of parties and the
crash OF personal ambitions one man riNs;
to an altitude which, IL not serene, is at
least commanding. He is not dictator; he
is d possibility OF such Importance that he
must he taken seriously. He is Hazen s.
Pingree.
As is well known in Michigan, Mayor
Pingree is semi-Popuiist, a free silver
man and the sworn enemy OF all trusts,
corporations and syndicates. He has been
nominated by the Republican party for
governor of Michigan. 1t is reported here
that the nomination came to him by reason
OF his Populistic and free silver sympathies,
as it is generally admitted that Michigan
sentiment is largely favorable TO the white
metal. Perhaps no other nominee for such
alous position in which Mr.. Pingree finds
him mseif.
The Republican campaign managers be-
lieve that Detroit's brainy but eccentric
mayor will surely work out his own saliva
tion and in SO doing carry the State for
Mckinley and Hobart. 1t is also held that
Mayor Pingree's influence and popularity
will contribute largely toward success
full Congressional campaign and result in
returning another solid Republican dele
CATION to Congress this fall. And it ap-
pears from the figures and statements n
the possession of the campaign managers
here that they are not without good
grounds for their confidence.
On the other hand, Senator Jones, chair
man of the national Democratic committee,
and senator Faulkner, chairman OF the
democratic Congressional committee, each
pin their faith with equal certainty upon
Mayor PiDgree's candidacy. They argue
with great confidence that the Detr cit
mans well-known silver and Populstic
sentiments will turn the scale in favor OF
Bryan and Sewall in Michigan and break
the solid Republican Congressional pha-
lanx in that State.
DEMOCRAIS WANT TFUStON.
They still hope that scheme OF fusion
may be agreed upon which will indorse
Pingree for governor and divide the re
naming offices among the Democrats,
Popuiists and silverites. They are willing
to concedc Pingree's election of the State
for the Sd Ike. OF the advantage to be gained
by the success OF the Democratic electoral
ticket and the election of Democratic
congressman.
The leaders OF both parties seem to be
equally confident of the good offices Of
Mayor Pingree. and alike certain of the
| favorable result of the campaign to their
| respective tickets. 1t is freely prophesied
in Washington that Michigan will prove
to be the pivotal State upon which the
| result of the national campaign will turn.
| Nothing can be confidently forecast In
such campaign as this, but at the present
| time it seems entirely possible that Mich
| igau may have the casting vote in the
electoral college. In such an event Ma yor
Pingree may be said to control not only
| the political destinies of his own State,
| but of the nation as well He is now
undoubtedly a star of hope In the eyes
| of The leaders OF both the great parties.
Whether he realizes all the possibilities
| and responsibi lities of his remarkable
position no one can. perhaps, say.
So far he has declined to commit himself
| in any way on the great issues OF the
campaign, and, with the exception OF the
two leading candidates themselves, prob
ably no man in the country fills larger
measure in the eyes OF the politicians here
and elsewhere than Hazen 8. Pingree.
| It is not too much to say that the au-
nouncement of his views and principles
in this campaign Is awaited on all sides
] with an interest aud anxiety entirely dis
proportionate to his Importance as the
mere gubernatorial candidate of any party.
Piugree is the sublime mystery of this
campaign.