Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-01-11
PlNRGEE'S EXIT.
Made Interesting by an Explanation of
His Grant Economically.

His Great Unpopularity.
Lansing, Mich, Jan. 3.-Gov. Pingree
in his Inaugural message referred in
decidedly Interesting mannar to the mat
ter of relations between public officials
and great corporations and gave 1t an
added interest by referring to Gen.
A!ger and army contracts as Il negative
illustration.
Gov. Pingree says:
my experience during my political
life extending over period of II years
has convinced me that in order to secure
the full commentator of those who
consider themselves the better classes
the governor and other high officials
must do nothing to antagonize the
great corporations and the wealthy
people. am satisfied that | could have
had the praise and support of our best
citizens and our best society and of the
press of the state generally If | had up
held those who have for years attempted
to control legislation in their own in
terests to the end that they might be
relieved from sharing equally with the
poor and lowly the burden of taxation.
| would have been pronounced good
fellow and great statesman.
"The memory of the treatment Of Gen.
Alger by the press of the country and
his removal from the cabinet is fresh in
The minds of all. am informed by Gen.
Alger himself that one of the main rea-
sons for opposition to him was because
he had ignored the claims of the great
steamboat interests with representatives
in New York city. The matter of send
ing something like $4,000 Spaniards to
Spain came up and the General adver
tlsed for bids for transportation. The
tenders of the different companies sub
mtted by the New York representatives
were exactly alike--so much for officers
of certain rank, so much for other. off
GERS. and so much for privates
combination and agreement between
the companies. The bids which the
General received from Spain were less
than half of those offered by the New
York syndicate and the contracts were,
therefore. awarded to the Spanish vessels.
That was the turning point in the assault
against the General, because he would
not toady to the companies represented
in New York and show them special
favors. The press directed the venomous
attacks at me becasuse | defended Gen.
Alger.
"Iuse this a. an illustration to show
how powerful is the influence Of those
who nave resolved on the policy OF rule
or ruin. This has been my experience
while holding the office of governor
EVery large interest that have ant Igo-
nized during my fight for equal taxation
has been arrayed against me and the
allies of those Interests. the newspapers
{ the state, have lost no opportunity TO
attempt to draw the minds Of the people
from the real issue by making per, onal
attacks on me and publishing malicious
and willful lies to belittle my efforts and
bring me into disrepute in order that the
present system of unjust, inequltable
and iIuitUus laws might still remain in
force to the detriment of the great
masses of the laboring classes and far
mers and those of small properties who
are unable to speak and act for them
selves.
81 make the prediction that unless
those in charge and in whose hands leg
is'atiOn is reposed do not change the
present system of inequality in less than
Il quarter of century there will be a
bloody revolution in this great country
of ours