Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-03-10
ure that M--o1vofh Is sino4s the

cure that r-Og5ofh Is among the
number, who are very proud of their
association with Governor Pingree dur
ing Ills campaign for equal and fair
taxation. He gave TO Michigan. In the
way | have already indicated, the best
system of railroad taxation that OBJ
tains in any state in the union. There
are also some Of US, and | am sure
that Mr.. Osborn Is among that num-
Der, who are equally proud that they
at times disagreed with Governor Pin
gree. II took a man OF courage to
face him with propositions adverse to
his views. But one who openly and
honestly faced him was sure, sooner
or later, to feel that he had made a
friend through manly opposition.
II personally know that during the
period from April. 1899, until Deem
Der, 1900, there we're but few confer
ences held by Governor Pingree in ref
erence TO railroad taxation matters at
which Mr.. Osborn was not present.
He was advised with by Governor Pin
gree in reference to the legislation
creating the board OF state tax COM
missioners. He was consulted re-
garding the nomination for members
OF the board. He advised the making
OF the Cooley and Adams appraisal and
assisted the work very materially
through this Office He, with several
others, helped In framing up the terms
of the constitutional amendment He
took quite the leading part in procur-
ing the repeal OF the special charters.
He was consulted in reference TO the
calling OF the special sessions of the
legis' ture by which Governor Pin
gree eventually won out. He Sec
onded the efforts of the governor In
endeavoring to get the specific taxes
increased, pending the adoption OF the
constitutional amendment. His re-
lations with Governor Pingree were
personal, confidential, continuous and
friendly during his entire two terms
as governor, as / know many others
besides myself can affirm. 1t is my
opinion, and will be borne out by
much other substantial testimony that
without capable and honest men sucn
as was Chase 8. Osborn and others
who might with equal justice be
named, at Governor Pingrees side, he
would surely have failed In accom-
plishing many, II not all, OF the good
results he sought and his administra-
tion would have been stamped as a
failure instead of the momentous sue
cess that II was. For who now is
held in higher estimation among
Michigan's governors for their SER
vices in behalf of the public good than
Is Hazen g. Pingree?
my testimony is that no one was
more faithful to Governor Pingree in
promoting the best Of his public
measures than was Mr. Osborn. No
one Of his advisors was more true to
the demands of right and reason in his
relations with his offlcial chief than
was ne.
1t may be considered a little aside
from the main purpose Of this state
ment for me to testify regarding the
character OF the administration OF the
Office of commissioner Of railroads by
Mr.. Osborn during the period, which
was practically coterminous with my
own as attorney general. He was a
vigorous, honest and capable commits
sioner and served with result of the
highest moment to the general welfare
of the people Of the state OF Michigan.
In fact. I personally believe that no
commissioners Of railroads before or
since can point to more things accom-
plished Of genuine worth or moment
than can Mr.. Osborn.
Five days after he assumed the posi-
ton, he announced as his policy that
where he had Jurisdiction. grade sep
arations at the crossing OF street and
steam railroads would be enforced
whenever at all possible. The per-
vita which Mr. Osborn pur- |
sued this policy was matter OF pub |
lie notoriety during the four years |
that he held the ONCE. His infiexible |
adhesion to this policy, and the value
Of the protection TO the public thus
secured, regardless OF anything else, |
made his administration conspicuous |
and demonstrated his pre-eminent /
merit as a public servant.
Early In his FIRST term he made q
personal inspection of the 1921 miles
Of railroad In Michigan. This In
spection was no junket, but pains
taking and intelligent scrutiny OF
railroad conditions. with special refer
snce to the observance or non-observ-
,nce OF the laws OF the state relative
70 safety appliances, etc.
I'm the two thousand or more hear
ngs had by Mr. Osborn while he was
on complaints and on
applications Of various kinds con-
,ected with the administration of his
,flce, never heard intimated In the
lliGhtsst degree that he mad unfairly