The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-04
Takes Advantage of the inauguration
of His Successor TO Attack ALI
Who Disagree with Him.
GOVERNOR BLISS MESSAGE
IN MARKED CONTRAST WITH PIN.
GREE's LONG, ABUSIVE ADDRESS.
Colorndo's Finances Shown by Gev.
Thomas to BE i'm had Shape-Taxa-
ton OF Corporations Urged.

LANSING, Mich, Jan. 3--Both houses
OF the Michigan Legislature assembled in
joint session to-day to hear the exaugural
message of Ex-Governor Pingree and the
inaugural message OF Governor Bliss. Mr..
Pingree prefaced his message with some
extemporaneous remarks, in which he at
tackled the courts. Legislature and the
press. He also urged the Legislature TO
appropriate sufficient money TO amply pay
the expenses of the Governor, saying IL
had cost him $4,000 during his four years
term The reading of his message. which
consisted of ninety-fve printed pages. took
almost four hours. 1t was in part as fol-
lows:
1.-THE lesson to be drawn from the history
of the contest for equal taxation is that
If the people wish this great problem TO be
satisfactorily settled they must center
their efforts on the election or Senates
which shall be less subject TO the seductive
arguments of the railroads and other
wealthy powerful interests, and more re-
sponsive to the wishes of the people.
The message urged the Legislature to
adopt the resolution adopted by the Legis-
lature of Pennsylvania, requesting Con-
gress to call convention for the purpose
of proposing an amendment to the con-
United States senator's by popular vote.
Discussing the question, the message says:
THE cases OF Hanna, I'm Ohio. Carter, in
Montana, and our own discouraging and
disgraceful experiences furnish the most
powerful and convincing argument I'm be-
half of popular elections. III Is matter
of common knowledge that the Office is
sought by wealthy men, not much FOR
the alleged honor, as the opportunity which
il affords for financial profit and COM
mercial advantage. not only through spec
ulation, but in other and less Legitimate
ways. Instead of being the bulwark OF our
government, as the trainers of the Con-
stitution intended il, the Senate is now
looked upon with fear and distrust by the
people OF the country. There is no ques-
ton but that the people have lost con-
fiience in the United States Senate and re-
gard the House of Representatives as the
more conservative and trustworthy branch
of Congress"
Discussing the pardons and paroles
which have been granted to prisoners dur
ing his four years in Office. the former
Governor said:
1.-THE people of the State would be aston
ished If they knew how loose and careless
and almost criminal have been the methods
of courts and prosecutors in prosecuting
criminal cases. Ii has become trite say
ing in our State among those familiar with
the circumstances. that our public prose-
cutors should be named public prosecutors
They seem to have lost sight of the fact
that they take an oath of office 10 protect
the innocent from punishment as much as
TO bring the criminal TO justice and to pro-
tect the people of the State"
After discussing number of subjects OF
State interest only and making recom-
mendations in regard TO them, former Gov.
Pingree said, in conclusions:
"My experience during my political life,
extending over q period o. twelve years,
has convinced me that I'm order TO secure
the full commentator of those who con-
slider themselves the better classes the
Governor and other high officials must do
nothing to antagoniZe the great corpora
tions and the wealthy people. / am salts
fed that / could have had the praise and
support of our best citizens and our best
society and of the press of the State gen..
orally, If had upheld those who have. for
years, attempted 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 tax
alton. 1 would have been pronounced
good fellow and great statesman.
1.-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 General
Alger himself that one OF the main rea-
sons of the opposition to him was that he
had ignored the claims of the great steam
boat interests with representatives in New
York city. The matter of sending something
like 900 Spaniards to Spain came up and
the general advertised for bids for trans
portation. The tenders of the different COM
panies, submitted by their New York rep
resentatives, were exactly alike-s0 much
for officers of a certain rank, so much for
other officers and so much for privates-
showing a combination and agreement be-
tween 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, there
fore, 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 I'm New York.
and show them special favors. The press d.
rected its venom at rue because defended
General Alger.
'I use this as an Illustration to show how
powerful Is the influence CT those who
have resolved on the policy OF rule or ruin.
This has been my experience while holding
the office Of Governor. Every large in
terest that i have antagonized during my
fight for equal taxation has been arrayed
against me. and the allies OF those inter
ests, the newspapers OF the State. have
lost no opportunity to attempt TO draw the
minds OF the people from the real issue by
making personal attacks on me and pub
fishing malicious and willful libels, and
to belittle my efforts and bring me into
disrepute In order that the present system
Of unjust. inequitabe and ubiquitous laws
might still remain I'm force 10 the Cefri-
ment OF the great masses OF the laboring
classes and farmers, and those or small
properties. who are unable 10 speak ana
act for themselves / make the prediction
that unless those in charge and In whose
hands legislation is reposed 90 not cnange
the present system OF inequality In less
than a quarter Of a century there viii he
a bloody revolution in this great country
of ours.
At the conclusion Of Mr. Pingree's mes
sage Governor Bliss message was read.
he urged on the legislators the advisable
itv OF economy in all appropriations. and
suggested a short session or the Leefsia-
tire in the interest OF economy. On the
subject OF taxation Governor Bliss said:
..T9elieving that the people desire that
all property now paying specific taxes shaD
he assessed I'm like manner with oSsser
nroperty. I recommend that the Lszisla-
ture should provide the necessary mas:hln-
ery for the levy and collection CT taxes
on this property upon an ad valofem basis.
There should be no hasty consideration OF
this question, however. for the interests
OF hundreds OF millions OF property Is no
slight one.
Among other things the Legislature was
recommended 20 give its attention 10 the
sale of cigarettes. ON this subject Gov
ernor Bliss said: II advise the most strln-
gent legislation possible. IN order THAI the
sale of cigarettes may be discouraged. IL
not prohibited
pfETuICIi srCCFEnS POINTER