The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-07-05
Let US be r air.
'Quette Mining journal, June AZ.

Let US be Fair.
Marquette Mining Journal, June az.
A Detroit paper which is not very friendly
10 Governor Bliss asserts that he will have
few friends from the upper peninsula IN the
next republican state convention. The
paper in question is seeking TO develop
sentiment against the governor that will
: have effect to prevent him from being &C
corded a denomination, and as means to
that end is endeavOring TO create the i'm.
preston that he has rendered himself very
unpopular throughout the state since he
has occupied the executive chair. AS part
OF Its scheme to retire Governor Bliss at the
expiration of his first term, it seeks to create
the conviction in the lower part Of the state
that be is exceedingly weak in this PENN.
sula, and will have 10 support here next
year as candidate for the governorship.
1t is quite too early TO begin campaign
that will not eliminate in decision by the
voters until November Of next year, but it
is not too early TO correct misconceptions
created craftily, and with specific and well
defined aim. And the assumption that
Governor Bliss is especially unpopular in
this peninsula is not warranted by the facts,
nor Is there any reason that The Mining
Journal can call TO mind for having the
people Ct this part of Michigan regard him
with feeling of special unfriendliness.
The only thing the people of the upper
peninsula particularly desired at the hands
of Governor Bliss was representation On the
state tax commission. When he was up
here making bis canvass prior to the cleo
ton Mr.. Bliss stated that he thought this
peninsu la, in view of the importance and
peculiar nature of its leading interests,
should be accorded such representation.
He has kept the promise that he then made
relative to giving Us representation on the
commission, though this was made extreme
ly difficult for him by disagreement among
the influential representatives of large
mining interests up here as TO the person
who should receive the appointment. All
that be asked at any time was that the
people OF the peninsula should unite on
some good man for the place. When they
failed to do that he was really absolye
from his pledge. Still he bore II In mind,
ana Yhep the enlargement Of the commits.
sicn from three members to FIVE came
through action OF the legislature he made 1t
good to the general stan satisfaction of the
people Of the whole peninsula by naming
Graham Pope Of Houghton as one of the
Two additional commissioners.
1t seems to The Mining Journal that the
upper peninsula people have no grievance
against Governor Bliss warranting them In
antagonizing his claims to q second term,
and from Its knowledge Of their character 1t
feels very certain that they will accord him
fair treatment II he is again a candidate for
the cfice to which they aided to elect him
last fall. He may have made some mis- |
takes in his executive capacity since he be-
came governor, but none that cannot be |
forgiven in view of his conceded honesty OF |
purpose, and the fact that he had many
perplexlng problems to pass upon immedi. |
ately after his induction into Office. He is |
making fairly good chief executive, and 1t |
should be remembered TO his credit that his |
administration has been thus far free from |
scandals of any kind. Let us be fair with |
Governor Bliss, and not pronounce him a |
failure until he has had more opportunity to |
prove his fitness for the high Office given |
him by the people Of the state. Certainly
the people of this part of Michigan have no |
cause to feel particularly unfriendly toward |
him-nor do they If The Mining Journal is
a Judge Of their sentiment regarding him
and the effort of few papers In the state to |
create the impression that they will be
solidly arrayed against him a year from now
Is unjust, both to him and them.