The evening times., 1897-02-17
WOULD BE PUBLIC PRINTER.
John Mcyicar, the Michigan Can
didate, and What He Has Done.

uIuate, ana Wndt he Has Done.
John McVicar, OF Detroit. Michigan's
candidate for Public Printer, comes OF
sturdy Highland Scotch stock and is now
In the fifty-fourh year OF his age Mr..
Mcvicar is considered Michigan's candi-
date, and it is probable that never before
in its history has an aspirant for so i'm
portant position been so unanimously
indorsed
Mr. McVicar's friends say that when
the time for action arrives he will have a
practically solid State the two Senators
and the Congressional delegation, the Re
publican state central committee, the new
and the retiring State officers, large
MA jority of the two houses Of the legisla-
ture, the State electoral college, judges
OF the state supreme court and Of his home
city and county, bankers, manufacturers,
and business men generally.
Although always a Republican of the
strictest sect, the solid men OF Detroit, re-
gardless Of party, will be a uDit in ad-
vanCing his ambition.
MI McYicar's career has been exception
ally successful In sci he was finishing
his apprenticeship to the printers trade
in the city of New York He attempted
20 enlist in one Of the first calls for volun-
teers, but was rejected ON account of his
youth and slight figure. In the fan OF
the same year, however, he joined the
Ira Harris Guards, Fifth and Sith New
York Cavalry, and subsequently, served in
both regiments, and Is now member OF
the veteran association Of the last named.
on the expiration of his term of ser
vice, he worked for a short while in ROch-
ester, y. Y, where he joined the Typo
graphical Union. In 1864, he settled in
Detroit, which has ever since been his
home. There he was made foreman Of
the Commercials Adyertiscr, and later on
its editor.
He joined the staff OF the Detroit Even
ing News, in 1878, and within three
months became its managing editor, con
tinuing in that capacity for ten years.
While under his direction the News
achieved a number of remarkable journal
istic victories over its local competitors.
the most noteworthy occurring in No
vember, 1887, the occasion being the
hanging of the Chicago anarchists.
Assisted by a single reporter (MT c.
H. Thompson, now and for years past a
well-known Washington correspondent he
Evening News The paper thus beat all
its rivals in publishing the details of the
disaster in its own establishment. The
work Of repairing the damage caused by
the fire continued all night under Mr.. Nc
Wears supervision and next day the News,
double its usual size, was on the street
three minutes after the drop fell in Chi
cago.
Disagreeing with the directors of the
News in 1888, MI McViCar resigned, re-
fusing to remain at an increased salary.
He did not, however, remain inactive
long The State printer was in search of
a manager who could put his business at
Lansing, the State capital, on stable
basis, and speedily engaged the services
of john McVicar. The establishment was
in very bad shape, but Mr.. McVicar took
hold with energy and soon brought order
out Of chaos. The business of the office,
outside of the contract for the State print
ing, was speedily restored to paying basis.
Remaining until the last vestlge or the
work on the old contract had been COM
pleted, Mr.. McVicar, against the earnest
protest Of the State printer, Mr.. ID. ID.
Thorp, rendered his resignation, which
that gentleman regretfully accepted. In
1890 Mayor PingTee of Detroit had begun
his reform in the city governments. The
State printer recommended Mr.. McVicar
The Eoard of public works appointed him
to the secretaryship September 1, 1890,
and he served in that capacity for one
year, when he was promoted to member
shin on the board TO fill a vacancy. In
that postion, which lie still holds, Mr.
rir nt N cl CT
has been Mayor Pingree's right arm in
carrying to successful completion the
various reforms in the municipal affairs
OF Detroit, but Mr.. McViCar's admirers
al. O claim that he is the author, a s well
as the executor, of many of the aforesaid
reforms
The recommendations of Mayor Pingree
were promptly pushed, and tens of thou
sands of dollars were saved in every di-
rection.
For nearly five years Mayor Pingree
has relied upon Mr.. McVicar as upon few
others for putting into effect the reforms
he has successfully advocated, These are
a few substantial reasons, say the sup
porters of Mr.. MeVicar in his ambition
to be Public Printer, why the solid business
men and the heaviest taxpayers OF the
CITY of Detroit and the State Of Michigan
stand ready to indorse him for any position
to which he may aspire.
While it is not likely that Mr.. McVicar's
supporters Will make any special plea
for his preferment on account of his long
connection with, and distinguished services
in behalf of, organized labor, his record
as a member of the Typographical Union
is an exceptionally good one. John II.
oberly, formerly United States civil ser
vice commissioner, and now editor of
The Washington Times, was president OF
the body.
He did excellent service at the Boston
meeting, fully half the business transacted
having been presented by him. He left
his impress on the l. T. u laws, many
of the best emanating from him. In S92,
he published book entitled, ''Origin and