The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-10-09
HAPPY IN DESPOT|SN
Calumet, Mich, Is Ruled by
Manager Of the Mines.

Manager Runs Township Government.
is Supervisor and Names Candidates
For clerk and Justice-Company Is
Liberal In Providing Churches,
Schools and Places Of Amusement.
Calumet, Mich, Oct. S.-The city OF
Calumet furnishes subject of study
as interesting to the sociologist as the
mines upon which 1t is built offer to
tion, If not a demonstration, of the fa-
miliar theory that an absolute despot-
Ism, with benevolent despot, is the
best form of government for man.
It is not municipality; it has nc
organization or charter; it has no
mayor or common council or other Off
cials: but is simply a community
composed exclusively of employees of
the mining company, which owns all
the lands and houses and everything
else in sight, and is administered by
the manager of the mines, who is an
absolute autocrat.
The township government is also in
his hands. Under the laws of Michi-
gan each county is divided into town
ships and each township has a super
| visor, clerk and justice of the
peace. Mr.. MacNaughton, the man
ager of the Mines has held the Office
of supervisor ever since he has been
in his present position; his predeces-
sor Mr.. Duncan held the office for SO
years. and nobody objected.
The clerk and the justice are nomin-
ally elected, but Mr. MacNaughton
names the candidates Thus he is re-
sponsible for the welfare of the $4,000
or more inhabitants, and he governs
them with a firm, but generous and
liberal policy. There are no saloons
or disorderly houses; no liquor is sold
within the limits of Calumet; there is
no gambling; vice is not tolerated and
men who will not obey the rules and
httD lut ptdNC dIC
Order is maintained by eight braw-
ny Scotcnmeh, whose business is to
settle Quarrels, to prevent rather than
punish crime and vice, to promote the
physical welfare of the community
and to report to headquarters any
wrong that they cannot themselves
correct. They avoid making arrests.
When they find man drunk they take
him home quietly. When there's a
fight they stop it and send the partici-
pants away. The justice of the peace
has very little to do.
The population of Calumet is almost
exclusively composed OF foreigners.
It is asserted that 81 different Ian
guages are spoken on the street and
that a considerable number Of the in
habitants cannot speak English.
There are 80 churches in the city,
representing almost every known
form of religious worship. Each race
and each denomination represented
among the mine employees has been
given site and liberal donation to-
ward the erection of church
The management encourages relig-
ion as the foundation of morality, har-
mony, industry and progress. 1t pro-
vides free schools of the very best
grade and of great variety, for the
same reason 1t is said that the en-
ployes of the Calumet and Hecla Min
ing company can get any kind of an
education they may desire on the
ground There is a manual training
school and technical school at
which the company trains its own en-
gineors and mechanics.
The company furnishes a gymnas-
ium with instructors in physical cul-
ture to promote the muscular develop
ment of its employees, with one of the
finest hospitals in existence for the
care of the sick and injured, with a
model equipment and attending sal
aried surgeons from the medical
schools of Boston.
Free lighthouses stand side by side
with free library-with no aid from
Mr.. Carnegie-in which the employees
of the company can find newspapers
and periodicals and books from every
CITY in Europe in all the languages
they speak Rooms are provided for
social clubs and amateur dramatic
performances, literary and debating
societies singing societies, dancing
clubs and for every other form of in
tellectual and social amusement
The brass band of the Calumet
company claims to be the third, II not
the second, in excellence in the Unit
ed States. 1t yields supremacy only
DO Sousa's and the Marine band at
Washington. 1t took the first prize
at an international saengerfest at
Milwaukee two years ago and claims
10 have made much improvement
since. The performers wear the cos
tune of miner, with little safety
lamps in their hats. They went To-
Boston not long ago for a series OF
concerts and made a great hit. The
instruments, the music and the uni
forms are provided by the company,
and the members of the band receive
their regular wages while on concert
tours or at rehearsal
New Director General at Jamestown.
Norfolk, Va. oct. 8.-Alvah H. Mar
A.. oI,ctod hv tho hoo rd Of dirpptorc