The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-03
FIGHT ON ALGER.
Gov. Pingree in His Message to
Michigan Legislature
Tells What Caused His Retire.
ment From the Cabinet.
SHIPPING INTERESTS
INTERESTS
We're Mad Because Contract
For Return OF Spaniards
Was Awarded to Spanish Line
at Half Their Figures.

Lansing, Mich, Jan. 3-Both houses
Of the Michigan legislature assembled
in joint session today to hear the ex-
inaugural message OF former Governor
Pingree and the Inauguration message Of
Governor Bliss. Mr. Pingree pronounced
his message with some extemporaneous
remarks in which he attacked the
courts, legislature and the press. He
also urged the Legislature to appropri-
ate sufficient money to pay the expenses
of the governor, saying it had cost $780,
0o0 during his four years term. The
reading Of his message, which consisted
Of 90 printed pages. took almost four
hours.
He took up the subject of equal tax
alton" at the beginning Of his message
and reviewed all the steps that have
been taken to date towards increasing
the amount of taxes paid by railroads
and other corporations After mention
ing the failure of the senate. which has
always opposed his taxation bills. at the
last special session of the legislature in
December to pass the railroad taxation
bill passed by the house, the governor
said:
1.-THE lesson to be drawn from the
history Of the contest for equal taxa
ton is that if the people wish this great
problem to be satisfactorily settled they
must center their efforts on the election
of a. senate which shall be less subject
to the seductive arguments of the rail-
roads and other wealthy and powerful
interests and more responsive to the
wishes of the people"
The message urged the legislature to
adopt the resolution adopted by the
legislature Of Pennsylvania requesting
congress to call a convention for the
purpose Of proposing an amendment to
the constitution to provide for the cleo
ton of United States senators by pOpu-
lar vote. Discussing the question, the
ssrTl7e eases ar Hanna IN ohio. Clark II,
Montana and our own discouraging and
disgraceful experiences furnish the most
powerful and convincing argument in
behalf Of popular elections. 1t is a mat
ter of common knowledge that the office
is sought by wealthy men, not so much
for the alleged honor, as the oppOr-
tuhity which it offers for financial profit
and commercial advantage, not only
through stock speculation, but in other
and less legitimate ways. Instead of
being the bulWark of our government, A
as the trainers of the constitution in
tended it, the senate is now looked upon
with fear and distrust by the people G
the country. There is no question that
the people have lost confidence In the
United States senate and regard the
house of representatives as the more
conservative and trustworthy branch Of
congress-
Municipal ownership Of public utiIi-
ties such as water. gas. electric light
and telephone service, and the furnish
ing Of street railway transportation, was
discussed and advocated by Governor
Pingree.
which have been granted to prisoners
during mis- four years in Office, the for
nler governor said.
The people OF the state would be
astonished if they could know how loose
and careless, and almost criminal have
been the methods Of courts and prose-
cutOrs in prosecuting criminal cases 1T
has become a trite saying in our state
among those familiar with the clrcuna-
stances that our public prosecutors 4
should be named public prosecutors
They seem to have lost sight of the fact
that they take an oath of Office to pro-
tect the innocent from punishment as
much as to bring the criminal to justice
and to protect the people of the state"
After discussing a number of matters
Of state interest only and making recon-
mendations in regard to theTns Governor
Pingree said in conclusion.
MY experience during my political
life, extending over a period of twelve
years, has convinced me that in order to
who consider themselves the better
classes the governor and other high
officials must do nothing to antagonize
the great corporations and the Wea ny
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 I had up
held those who have for years attempt
ed to control legislation in their own
interests to the end that they might be
relieved from sharing equally with the
poor and lowly the burden of taxation
I would have been pronounced a 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. I was informed by
Gen. Alger that one Of the main reasons
for the opposition to him was because