The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1897-11-20
Governor Pingree Tells How to Reform City-The
Fights he Has Had With the
Corporations.
SUGGESTIONS THAT IF FOLLOWED By DuLuTHs OFFICIALS
WOULD PROVE A BOON TO The
TAXPAYER.

| TAXPAYER.
Below we reproduce part speech delivered by
Pngree of Michigan New York last week, and deem
worthy of careful perusa by reader of the LABok
WORLD who believes in municipal REFORM and the ownership
by the city of it's water and electric light plants
little ashamed say that ten years ago knew
little about municipal affairs was like thousands of others
plain business imagine that they good c
who not only allow, but expect those upon whom
they look down with contempt to furnish them with good
They grumbe at the results of which they
do attend and complain of the sanagement of those
they take part selecting have to believe would
be wise law that would prohibit from voting who have
voluntarily abstaned from taking part in nominations
The governor reviewed his connection with municipal
affairs during The past Detroit he
serted had long safely democrac its streets mostly
unpaved had given to street and gas
panes etc. One could not drive out of the city
nen street without paying tos the city less than half
lighted but at exhorbant COST apparently powerful
paving ring large the city paying
the wretched uncomfortable drawn
horses the original railway charter granted for thirty
authorizing five without transfers.
thirty years after but thirteen years;
the municipal boards had been conducted Independently of
other and of the peoples the of the worst
character most of the park had been given and
all electric wires stretched overhead.
pride" governor, saying
the end of nearly eight Detroit conceded
the beautiful cities in the United States It has
its electric lighting plant and magnlhcenty lumn
half the old gas been reduced
price, there toll gates left within the city, the
compelled do their legal business through the
their financial business through
city treasurer provided for wires old
paving have been broken the horse have dsap
splendid electric system estab1ished the old
have been forced sell tickets at six for % CENTS
with transfers. company carrying 40 cent of the
passengers selling eight tickets for % cents with transfers.
companies have been compelled to sell workngmen
during hours cents opposition telephone
company has established by which rates have been
IS per cent; than 235 miles of modern
laid the parks have all improved
found that cent of the children could not attend
account of buildings to accommodate them We
built school houses With all this the rate of tax
alton has not materially increased.
"Ths period has been to more like of than
peace elected candidate by the most influential
people, discovered after election that the railroads
than their share of said and the railroad
support Immediately left discovered that the gas
charging exhorbitant rates. said and the
owners of gas stock turned their backs found the
specuatin with city funds denounced the practice
and they denounced unsafe attacked the turnpike
called anarchist Every time
attempted correct abuse lost large and influential
class of supporters four times elected but
each campaign made painfully of the loss of old
friends although najorties crept from 15OO to
10000
upon the people always stood by You will
surprised that Ihave to lean upon the
people the real foundation which good
must rest.
"As to remedy my experience brought
conclusion that the streets city belong to the
people and council has right to barter
them The remedy against of these evils muni
cpal ownership and entire abolition of monopoles, or it
opoes which depends upon public favor their ab
soute control and dependent the people, This remedy
will not only solve municipal problems but will bring
other agencies of commerce under proper subjection
"My experience is that those in the
synagogue of Sunday engaged of the week
bbng aldermen getting stock obbng schemes to rob