The Yale expositor., 1897-01-15
.PINGREE'S POINTERS.
HIS FIRST MESSAGE TO THE
STATE LEGISLATURE
His Old S->srnies, Trusts, Combinations,
Watered Stocks, Railroads, ETC., Get
Due Attention-Other Subjects of
Interest Well Handled.

desire 10 urge upon you as the law
making power the necessity which eX-
lists for the amendment Of several laws Of
the state, for the repeal of others and/for
the enactment of a few which 1 deem of
vital Importance. AS representatives and
servants of the people let us endeavor to
work tremendously, with no object in
view but the public good. Michigan
ought to stand in the front rank of pro-
gressive states. Her people desire that
she should. Just laws will aid her, un-
just laws will retard her. Whatever
stumbling blocks have heretofore been
placed in her pathway should be removed.
1t remains to be seen whether we shall be
equal to the great work. 1t is within
your power to make the coming session of
the legislature an ideal one. This can be
done by the enactment Of few laws
which will meet the approval of all patri-
otto citizens of this state and the COM
mendation Of every true member of our
great republic.
Abolish Primary Elections.
If we would inaugurate reforms in our
state government we must commence
where the governing power originates, in
party organizations and conventions. l
would recommend that the political party
caucus laws already upon our statute
books be so amended as to abolish party
conventions. If political corruption eS
lists its origin can here be found. The
true theory of party organization is that
the best meneshould be chosen for cleo
ton TO office. This theory cannot be car
ried out under the present system. The
caucuses and conventions have become
the means by which the few obtain power
and place.
Under a representative form of govern
ment the people should have free choice
of their representatives. Any obstruction
to such free choice should be removed.
Syndicates of office seekers are formed,
corrupt combinations are made, delegates
are bought and sold, promises Of position
to unworthy men are often of necessity
made, and the example is set before us
that those who in the ordinary walks of
life pass for honorable men enter upon
the duties of public office under cloud
of suspicion and shame. The convention
has become the medium of trickery, brib-
cry and fraud. The direct vote of the
ballot holder for party candidates is the
simplest means of expressing preference
for representatives. The direct vote and
the Australian ballot system is of less
cost to the people than the convention
system 1t is remarkable that so great
has been the power of the few and am
bilious that in n nation having a repre-
sentative form of government and COM
of those states vote direct to put party
candidates in nomination, while every
Canadian province has the direct vote,
and for that reason is so much nearer the
ideal republic.
Taxation.
The question which is always present
and is never solved in any state or mu-
nicipal government is the question OF tax
alton, direct and indirect. Taxes are bur-
dens which must be borne. The theory of
the republican form of government is
that they are borne equally by all owners
of property in proportion TO their wealth.
eminent has favorites and therefore is
not republican. All exemptions and vari-
atoms from this fundamental principle
should be upon lines of public policy and
for the greatest good of the greatest num-
ber The policy of continuing the system
OF specific taxation of corporations as the
sole resource of the state from such or
CARNATIONS, which originated when the
state was new and which favored the pro-
motors of needed works for small and
scattered communities. has long been re-
garded with disfavor by the people of this
state, who contend that the time has ar
rived when the well-known inequalities of
taxation should be adjusted and proper
toned according TO values.
While / do not believe that the system
of specific taxation and the method of its
distribution in support of the common
schools should be disturbed, L recommend
that steps be taken in the form of local
bear their proper share of taxation.
Fixing Railroad Tolls.
The right of the legislature to fix the
maximum rate for passenger fares has
been exercised ever since the first general
enactment as to railroads, in 1855. In 1870
the people of the state amended the con-
stitution, expressly comforting upon the
legislature the power to fix such maxi
-
revision Of the railroad laws and certain
rates were fixed. Amendments were made
changing rates at various periods up TO
the finel amendment in 1884, and generally
speaking there has been a reduction Of
rates bv legislative enactment.
1t will thus be seen that any proposed
reduction of railroad passenger rates OF
fare or Of freight charges. has its precen-
dents III the changes made from time to
time In the past history of these corpora
tions. The right of the legislature to fix
the maximum rates has been contested by
interested corporations and the Supreme
Court has held that the legislature has
the right to fix such rates. At the present
exist which should be adjusted by the
legislature. What is true of discrimna-
tions by railroads in favor OF through
passengers as against local passengers
and of determinations by the state in fav-
or of one railroad as against another in
the matter of maximum passenger rates,
Is true as TO determinations by railroads
in favor of terminals as against local sta
tions in the same state. All of these in
CAPABILITIES of charges are within the power
or partly within the power of the legisla-
ture of Michigan to correct. And their
correction in my firm belief would prove
to be for the benefit of the railroad COM
panies as well as for the people of the
state. / therefore recommend that the
legislature take into consideration the
question of passenger fares at two cents
per mile for Michigan.
The Referendum.
The referring of important acts of the
legislature to n popular vote for final
adoption by the people is the extension
of the well known principle under
lying the practice in this state of refer
ring proposed changes of the constitution,
and in certain local cases, matters of ex-
traordinary expenditure involving the is
sue OF bonds, to the vote of the people.
] am not prepared to state how far opin-
lon favorable to the extension of this
method of legislation has penetrated the
state generally; but l am acquainted with
the opinion of the people OF the city of
Detroit which Is favorable to its extern
sion to the granting of street railway and
other quasi-public franchises as a check
upon corrupt public officials I'm cities.
Trusts and Combinations.
There is growing up in this country a
system of trusts and combinations which
is becoming more and more impudent and
extortionate. Its influence is felt in the
home of every citizen. The necessities OF
life are made instruments of oppression