The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-11
ey Marion e. Pew.
(From q star Correspondent

(From a star corrsspondent)
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. May Ill
am glad ! had a chance 10 have
new governor OF Indiana
He In the only one OF his kind, so
fas AZ my observation goes.
He has been In ONCE four months.
Before that he was a poor and un-
known country lawyer.
His nomination on the Democratic
ticket came as surprise and his
election on the Demo cratic ticket
when Taft carried the state was a still
greater surprise.
Marshall was picked up as com
promise" candidate. The politicians
were lighting for political pie and they
named him not 30 much To be elected
as To avoid q factional quarrel; for
real politics In Indiana as elsewhere
Is partisan" only 80 far as the voter
is commemorative pie" is largely a
bipartisan affair. The machines didn't
know what they were getting when
Marshall was elected; ia fact they
don't know yet
Marshall has done nothing In these
four months 10 shake the state or
interfere with the even Low OF the
Wabash. He has done acthing con-
spicuously great to be praised for. and
no known wrong for which 10 be con-
demned.
His ideas are as homely as his face.
Somehow | doubt II he Will ever
startle the state with any great limo
walton. But l feel that he will 60 out
OF office honored by q clean and dig
nified administration. And unless
am greatly deceived, no one will steal
the state house twixt now and then.
Gov. Marshall crossed his thin legs,
pulled a cigar and fell easily into u
debate Of social and political condi-
tons. Il am not a politician, he said
Il know nothing about that game.
was the most surprised man in the
state when | was nominated and elect
ed. In the campaign l told the people
that | wasn't sure that | would make
good as governor. I'm not sure that
am making good. But L am giving
the best | have to give
While the political game is a mys-
terry to me, have some ideas con-
corning statesmanship. It's my idea
that the state and nation will be bet
ter served by more statesmanship anc
less politics. | am q Democrat. but l
am working for all parties. all classes,
al, races, all denominations. To be
elected cost me less than $500. |
borrowed some OF the money and
haven't paid IL all back yeI. but Will.
I have the satisfaction OF being In no
mans debt. except this holder OF my
pote. Before election | made no man
a promise, | gained no vote from brib-
cry OF that OF any sort. | accepted the
bounty OF no interest. I hope | de-
ceived no one, and. my friend. l have
nothing on my mind which bothers
me, or hinders me from q free exer-
| else OF my duty TO Indiana Whatever
else may do or may fail TO do. Will
at least be honest according TO ms
Tight. So, you see. II / make poor
governor IL will only be because
was not dig enough for the job.
| MY short term in Office has been
intensely interesting. | have learned
how low practical politics are. They
concern the spoils OF Office. They are
utterly selfish.
LAS Democrats are OF my creed
! I prefer to appoint Democrats TO office.
hut | will appoint men OF any other
party II they will give better service.
Politicians want me TO appoint Dem
l OCTdt MS WdTucu VI tue osAtc iciOi III
atory. The present incumbent is a
Republican and | believe the most
capable officeholder In the state; he
will not be turned out by me.
We have too many boards In tails
I state-The- estate -eva-ruR--wlth
OH ceholders. Taxpayers, especially In
smaller cities. are burdened with the
big salaries of useless officers.
1 LnnW haltaUa that thn
American people are government sick.
Nowadays a man doesn't need 10 have
q conscience. He must merely live
by law. Our legislatures have given
uf SO many laws that every citizen OF
the state from the governor TO the
last admitted alien. may unconscious
~ break law every day, never
know It and do no harm. We are
lawed from cradle to grave. | have
10 objection to political law. but in
recent years the Puritanism OF ancient
| days has broken out upon us and We
have legislated upon economic or
moral questions until a man has no
| legal right to enjoy his individuality,
or even experience personal liberty
there Is a special statute for his every
act, and his life. politically. economi-
cally and morally. Is prescribed for
| him.
II cannot admit that civilization Is
rot progressing. and | believe that as
| ID progresses written rules for con-
duct should decrease I'm number. We
should stop manifolding our laws.
Much OF the law intended to gov
ern individuals is based upon false
theory. II operates uneqrally and
even makes criminals of men who
have done no moral wrong. Some
times, Too, IL protects men who are
guilty.
How absurd our system Ia. We
point to this man as a success and
good citizen He was oorn TO for
tune. material things have come TO
him without his effort, he has had
10 make no struggle, and IL Is easy
| for him to be a good citizen. Here
comes a man who is pointed out as
q failure. He was born to poverty
and had no chance TO gain education.
Against obstacles he has fought for
q living and has made no more. He