The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-10-26
Career of HemanS
Shows He's Admirably
Fitted For Governor

A LTHOUGH born In western New
u York some 40 odd years ago. Mr
Hemans has been a resident OF
Michigan during practically hts entire
life. He has become imbued with q
love OF his state that has shown itss'f
not only in a readiness to devote him.
self TO her service. but in an interest
advancement II is probably safe to
say that no man Is a more enthusiastic
student OF Michigan, not only OF It's
great men. but Of the actual govern
mental machine, which he has investi-
gated from fire-box to wheel
searching cut the why's and wherefores,
that ne knows the commonwealth as
does no other one OF Its citizens.
A Thorough Investigator.
The thorougnness with which he has
Investigated the .history and fnstitr7
lions OF the state Ii but an example
he bestows upon anything with which
he has to do. A most impressive ir-
stance of this occurred when. during
his FIRST term IA mayor OF Mason, IT
was proposed that the municipality
install an electric lighting plant. AT
that time Mr.. Hemans visited every
plant ~ IKE character IN the STATE,
impracticabillty of the project for
city OF the size OF Mason. he opposed
the plan, and was defeated for re-eleo-
chased. and every one now agrees that
the city has never made dollar on
it's investment The fact that since
that time he has been four times elect
ed to the mayoralty. and has once re-
fused the denomination, would seonr to
prove that his fellow townsmen mad
drawn lesson OF confidence In MS
judgment from their experience.
Marked for state Affairs.
II was his career In the legislature
and afterwards in the constitutional
convention which marked him In state
affairs as an exceptionally able man,
whose judgment was always based
upon honest conviction and broad. com
mon sense. and who. when the neces-
sity presented itself. could express his
opinions win an eabs Sv sis th
for his point OF view, and at the same
time ballasted by a profound knowl-
edge of the entire subject under dis
cussion.
In the constitutional convention. rs
member OF the committee on cities
and villages, he drafted the home rule
provision as IL now stands. rms Is
portant new provision in the constitu-
ton. and the most effective and liberal
TO be found In any constitution In the
Mr.. Hemans' uniform success as an
executive In the municipality where
he resides. and as a legislator In tho
state legislative assembly and IN the
In a large measure to the fact that he
has at all times an honest sympathy
with and an intimate understanding OF.
the common people and their real needs
and interests.
Instinctiveiy with People.
Born Of a family whose men for gen.
erations have followed the black
smiths trade, II is instructive with He
Is khe reason that he Is power In
behalf Of measures and policies that
are at the same. time sound and popu-
lar. He knows why people want econ.
campaign cry with him; he appreciates,
what each extra dollar In the tax
means TO the man who owns the small
home or farm. While some public men
have been ostentatiously preaching
economy and reform Hcmans has
given his time and talents to aid MS
home folks TO accomplish these things.
lie Is a man who can carry his own
ward, city. and county because his
neighbors know his worth. AZ he
They know the Who'll. story, good.
bad. and indifferent. I never had n
dollar I did not earn, and never
earned = dollar that I am ashamed to
let everyone know how I earned IL. Z
never sought nominntion ca hut one
ofnee, and that nomination Z did not
get. Z have always been willing 90
state my. views upon any peltticsl ques-
, ..,, 10 n@ ss., s.s TO- s,ssss
never my misfortune to change views
between tn. Time Of canvassinG
votes md delivering the goOas. lastly.
Z believe In the patriotism asd GENERAL
tntegrity OF the great rank and ale, I'm
sym pa thies are with the fellow who hes
hope ss against the fellow who hss
only possessions.
II " impossible to exaggerate the
Intensity OF Mr.. Hemans' pride In his
state. lie loves its lake-locked lands,
its history, its traditions. its greatness,
and its splendid promise. IL was a
labor OF love with him TO serve on The
commission which brought back 10 this
state the remains of the FIRST governor.