The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-11-20
GOV. pIN6REE TALKS.
Address Before the Nineteenth,
Century Club.

Pingree, of Michigan, delivered an
address tonight before the Nine
teenth Century Club at Sherry's.
His subject was ssThe Results of
Ten Years Municipal Progress.
There was very large attendance
at the meeting, Sherry's ballrom be-
ing filled with men and women in
evening dress.
President Taylor introduced the
speaker of the evening at $3.50
O'Clock, and Gov. Pingree at once
began to deliver his address, read
ing from manuscript.
Gov. Pingree spoke on the topic,
"The results of ten years of NUM-
cipal progress" He said i'm part:
81 am little ashamed to say
that ten years ago I knew little
about municipal affairs. was like
thousands of others of plain bust
ness men who imagine that they
are good citizens, but who not only
allow but expect those upon whom
they look down upon with contempt
to furnish them with good govern
ment. They grumble at the results
of caucuses, which they do not at
tend and complain of the m1smanage-
ment of those whom they take no
part in selecting. have come to
believe it would be wise law that
would prohibit men from voting
who have voluntarily abstained
from taking part in nomination."
The Governor reviewed his con-
nection with municipal affairs as
mayor during the past seven years.
Detroit, he asserted, had long heen
safely Democratic; its streets were
mostly unpaved, but had been given
away to street car and gas COM
panies, etc: One could not drive
out of the city on any street without
paying tolls. The city was less
than half-lighted, but at exorbitant-
1y high prices; large tracts in the
heart of the city were made to pay
farm taxes; the street cars were
wretchedly uncomfortable and
drawn by horses; the original street
railway charter granting for thirty
years and authorizing scent fares
without transfers, was renewed for
thirty years after it had run but
thirteen; the Municipal Boards
were conducted Independently of
each other and Of the the people;
the pavements were of the worst
character; most of the part grounds
had been given away, and all cleo
trio wires were stretched on poles.
81 take some pride," continued
the Governor, Sin saying that at
the end of nearly eight years as
mayor. Detroit is conceded to be
one of the most beautiful cities in
the United States. 1t has its own
electric lighting plant and is magni-
fcently illuminated at less than
half the old rates; gas has been
reduced at least one-third in price;
there are no tollgates left within the
city; the boards are compelled to
do their legal business through the
corporation counsel and their finan-
cial business through the city t1ea
surer; conduits have been provided
for wires; the old paving rings have
been broken up; the horse cars have
disappeared and splendid electric
system established; the old COM
panies have been forced to sell
tickets at six for IS cents. with
transfers; new company, carrying
40 per cent of the passengers, is
selling eight tickets for a quarter,
with trainers; all the companies
have been compelled to sell work
ing men tickets at certain hours at
8 cents; an opposition telephone
company has been established by
us and rates have been reduced