The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-10-31
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
LAYS LASH ON
PROCTOR K.
Says he Trcked Supreme Court Into
Admitting Him To Bar-Vulgar
In Speech and Without Pro.
tesnional Standing.
Thompson's Lack Of Academic Edn'
cation Derlored, But Fine Record
In Office Is Praised.

The municipal league on Saturday
1asued the following bulletin on Will
liam B. Thompson and Proctor X.
Owen, candidates for mayor:
The next two years bid fair 10 be
more important than any In recent De-
troit history.
The street railway problem, the in
ntalIatioE OF civil service throughout
our various departments, new ADJUST
msnt OF relations between the city ana
the electric light company between the
city and the telephone companies.
fundamental revision OF our plan or
city government--all OF these questions
will likely arise and have TO he met.
The man elected TO direct the proper
solution OF these questions ought TO oe
a political economist OF high order Win
the business capacity of great cap
tain OF industry" He should also nave
the conaddnce OF the public for his hon
esty and Integrity. -
What qualifications has Proctor X
Owens for this high public ONCE
ID is he capable?
Mr.. owens spent his life as a farmer
iE Missouri until he reached the age OF
about 40. He then tried four success
the freshman work in any OF them.
Since becoming a practitioner at the
bar (by method or when We siuu
-
been carried on wholly in this city, ana
~ OF the smallest and most petty kind
he has not at any tina Ina been n, fGn,
lie might have learned scmethins OF
lblic affairs.
he has not been connected with any
kntary emi-public organizations or
#. |||& ies OF the city. which would have
|#kned his sympathies and mental
1as not accomplished or been
INTO contact with any great
.kpatters.
~ a poorly educated lawyer
entitled TO public conf
honesty and straightfor-
ID failed TO pass in the
ry principals OF law al
universities. the last
pity OF Michigan. where
as a Michigan resi-
fees as such. realiz-
IS OF the situation. he
ssouri and got ad-
by the antiQuntcd
ANIMATION. in vogue
state, presumably
self a resident or
upon presented
1901. from Judge
court of Missouri,
1f Michigan, stat
|actisipg attorney
gh the courtesy
Hother was nd-
ar. He did not
Burt OF Mich-
n never prac-
anywhere else.
bass even the
he colleges
e supreme
10. 8 1910, /
'of = ssn-
kgcrewfr''
ctNfF remem
ION one re-
VAN l. Jarrett, !
- - old and trusted \
Iss.H<Kt1dpon whose recon- /
"A fr1a -, Io hesitancy in writ (,
Ilt u have TODAY read the ,
irTJofs OF his failures at the Universities
OF Michigan and Missouri. and with the
Withdraw my recomme ndation. 1 feel
that Mr.. Owens has misled Judge Jar
Tott and myself, and regret that
have been Instrumental in leading your
court TO admit him to the bar OF your
state"
During the last six years. Mr. owens
has been a candidate for no less than
four distinct Offices; once on the Dem
ocratic ticket; again. on the Prohibi-
ton. and twice on the Republican
When a candidate for prosecuting
attorney on the Prohibition ticket. two
BY the public to be a supporter OF the
principles of that party. He now tells
US that those were not his true. prin-
cipleB. and stultifes himself. and tries
TO stultify his hearers. by drinking
beer publicly to prove his assertions
saving that only the smallness Of his
beer before
He obtained letters OF recommends
ton from certain prominent citizens OF
Detroit, upon his representation that
they would help him 10 get a certain
position In the far west. He failed 70
get this position and remained here
He now does not hesitate TO use these
same letters to advance his candidacy
for mayor. The circuit bench was
asked by Mr. owens for a similar let
ter, but refused TO comply The cir
cult judges were then asked individu-
Ally for such a letter. and every one OF
them declined TO give It.
Since Mr. Owens could 30 completely
trick the supreme court of Michigan
would have prevented his being OS Sd.
united TO the Michigan bar. 1t Is per-
haps less TO be wondered al that many
OF our prominent and busy professional
men made the statements found in
their letters.
Mr. owens has never appeared be-
Tore the public, urging forward any
great public affair. movement, or inn
provement He has never sought or
got the public ear. or been known 20
the public In any movement save only
his tireless pursuit of office.
In his campaigns. he has never COM
mandsd the serious public regard. His
speeches are full Of vulgarity, of which
he In apparently unconscious Could
such man NIL the mayors chair with
His present prominence seems to be
due TO his unIemitting pursuit OF Of
nee. and to factional jealousy In the
Republican party.
Can a man with this professional and
political record inspire confidence that
he would as mayor OF the city ably
conduct It's affairs. with anything like
the ability that should be employed at
this crisis. and would such a man seek
honestly and disinterestedly the best
interests Of its citizens?
There are important appointments
which the mayor will have 10 make
and important questions with which he
will have to deal. The settling OF
these questions needs a clear mind,
settled opinions incompatible integ-
rity, and the courage 10 go ahead,
which comes from feeling back of him
the confidence OF the people.
Let US seriously ask ourselves as
voters II there IL not offered for our
choice candidate for mayor who in
spires in US more confidence in his
ability and honesty than does Proctor
Knott Owens.
What qualifications has William b.
Thompson for this high public office?
While we cannot say that even the
Democratic candidate has that large
business capacity which we would be
this time. vet William b Thompson
has had his Mind adjusted 70. and been
engaged IN large AEairs.
Mr. Thompson has been unfortunate
IN not having q better academic edu-
cation He has, Notwithstanding, been
a CLOSE student OF. and has had a large
oxperferce IN. municipal effairs.
As young man, re vas elected 20
the common counoil IN P.ngreo's time.
AID vas an active, intelligent, and hon
-fa-~--~ r. 5000 III. rfsr -.fl A..