New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-12
POINTS FROM PINGREE.
RESPECTABLE PEOPLE THE MOST DAN
GEROUS. HE DECLARES.

SAYS HE HAS COME TO DEPEND on THE COM
MON PEoPLE-IIIs ADDRESS BEFORE THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY cLUB-HER-
BERT WELSH ALSO SPEAKS.
The pouring rain last evening had no terrors for
the members of the Nineteenth Century Club VINO
turned out in large numbers to hear Governor Pm
gree IF Michigan and Herbert Welsh. of Philadel-
phia make addresses on the subject. The Results
Of Ten Years of Municipal Progress the meeuhs
of the club was at Sherry's Thirty-seventh-st ana
Fifth-ave. John A. Taylor. president OF Inc cluD'
introduced the speakers. Governor Pinsree spohe
nrst from manuscript. He went into detail regard
ing the benefits which Detroit had derived under
his administration. and among other Things sdIu
take some pride In saying that at the end or
nearly eight years Of service as Mayor OF Detroit
the city is conceded to be one OF the most peau'"
In the United States.
was first selected as a candidate by the most
influential people Of the city, men who had large
holdings I'm railroads. in street railway compahies,
IN gas @ % he os cv VINO Prominent merchants
bankers and professional men all united IN reSueS.
soon after my election that the railroads were pay
ing less than their share of taxes. SAID SO anu
covered that the gas companies were charging eX-
orbitant rates l said so, and the owners OF gas
stock turned their backs upon me. ! found the
bankers specializing in the city funds denounce!
the practice. and they denounced me as an unsafe
owners called me an Anarchist. In short. found
that time | attempted 10 corfecl an dDuse
lost a large and influential class of supporters.
daughter and applauseD l.,
1t is something to be proud of that, when the In
fuentia classes turned their backs upon us. the
common people of the city, who were TOO poor TO
have to grind. and who were only interested
in rthe growth and progress OF the MUNICIPALITY,
always stood by me and supported me in every
forward step. -, .
When YOU consider this experience you VIII not
be surprised that | have come to lean upon the
common people the real foundation upon which
respectable people who the most dangerous
Their cloak Of eminent responsibility hides them
and people hardly believe you when you show them
up especially when they are church MEMBERS or
carry long faces. ...
My experience is that those who stand foremost
in the synagogue. and utter long prayers OF sun
day, and arc engaged the rest of the week IN
bribing Aldermen. or getting up stock-1obong
schemes TO dcfraud the widows and orphans, are
your most dangerous members of society.
Governor Pngree's audience was a little non
pussed at this Some applauded, while others
looked distressed.
The speaker ended his address by saying that.
unless the Republican party came out as cham
pon OF the average man and his welfare, and
unless at ceased TO cater TO syndicates trusts mo-
nopoles and other exploiting agencies. 1t would be
buried in oblivion"
After a short intermssion Herbert Welsh was in,
troduced and spoke on the evils OF Dosssm ana
machines city government. He said the battle
for good government would never be won unit! men
esty and just dealing In public affairs, and that
party obligations must be apped as threads ~
tow when the party denied honesty and merit the
first place in the management of city affairs.