New-York tribune., 1901-06-19

ment started IN Detroit, and an eror. was
made to drive the Democratic ring out OF power
Mr Pingree had been steadfast Republican. but
mad taken no active part in public affairs. He
finally yielded 10 The urgency of his friends and
entered upon what was regarded as an almost
hopeless campaign to overcome a majority OF
5000 He gave himself unsparingly to the task
meeting personally many voters as possi-
Die. and impressing them with his breezy, uncon-
Vential personality, and promising redeem the
city from the condition into which It had sunk The
Tss1t was his election by 2s1s plurality over Mayor
on taking Office he entered upon eampaisn Of
many municipal Improvement schemes. but he also
advocated a number which proved iInpracticable
patch plan One day When he and d his wife Were
driving along boulevard of the city their atten-
ton was drawn 10 the vacant lots and he devised
the scheme Of getting the owners 10 give permis-
vegetables on them To secure the funds requisite
d d0r providing % seeds ne planned a circus perform
upon the scheme. But the potato planting plan
proved successful for several years. and was im-
Mayor Pingree's advocacy of reforms gave him
they reelected him as chief magistrate three
times In his fourth term, in 1896, he obtained the
elected by large majority. He came into espe-
Sai PUBLIC rotice by holding the offices Of both
expired. In the office of Governor he devoted him
road corporations and three cent fares in Detroit
but failed to attain complete success. He re-
OF his political methods Tribune correspondent
wrote from Detroit last year in regard the
EFFORTS OF Governor Pingree and Secretary Alger
to defeat the reelection OF Senator Mcmillan:
Though he calls himself a Republican, Gov
ernor Pingree is law unto himself Party plat
forms do not bind him. The wishes of conventions
he ignores Candidates for the legislature must
be loyal TO him first and to their constituencies
afterward. He exacts blind obedience his orders
Ion OF benevolent tyrant. He is. indeed the ideal
political boss Talk about the Quays the PIatts
the Gormans! Alongside OF Pingree they are not
In 1t Imagine a district convention in New
York or Pennsylvania. after having chosen a
candidate for the legislature, told that It's action
must be rescinded and So-and-So chOseni Here il
is a common occurrence. and what is more. so i'm
plict Is the faith of the Pingreeites in the iudg-
discretion and rectltUde OF their leader
they promptly and cheerfuly comply with his lea st
\wish. His control over his followers is indeed
Nellous II has parallel IN this any other
country"
In his efforts TO carry out his policy before he
went out of office last winter Governor Ptngree
called special sessions of the Michigan legislature
and sent message after message to that body, but
without success He came I'm for much criticism
for pardons of offenders I'm State prison. and was
declared in contempt of the Supreme Court because
OF his utterances, but sent word that he too
busy as Governor to appear. After his retirement
from office the matter dropped
Governor Pingree was married In 1872. and left
a wife. one and one daughter. A few months
ago he made business trip TO Cuba. and a little
later went 10 South Africa and Europe