The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-22

However, Detroit and Michigan ar.
fun of capable and worthy young at
torneys who are not related to Mr.
shields. There has been q great dca
of talk TO the effect that this appoint
ment was made for the purpose OF in.
huencing Mr.. Shields treatment of the
Pere Marquette properties In the mat
ter OF taxation. / do not charge that
an attempt was Willingly made to
bribe Mr.. Shields through favors
shown his nephew. do charge. how
lever, that men In public Office are
sometimes influenced by indirect
methods that are not In themselves
proper. but the result of which Is ini-
mical TO the public interest Soon az :
ter Mr.. Shields nephew was appointed
the Tax Commissioner seemed to give
unusual consideration to the taxes OF
the Pere Marquette and they were re-
duced. Since taking employment with
the Pere Marquette about a year ago
the salary of the young Mr.. Shields
had been raised three times. Mr..
Shields contends that desired 10 re-
duce the taxes more than he favored
which Is not true. but which Is not to
the point. | have no relatives In the
employ Of the Pere Marquette railroad.
do not contend that the Pere Mar
quette taxes are too low. On the con-
trary am inclined TO the opinion that
they are too high. I do feel. however.
that Mr.. Shields attitude towards the
Pere Marquette has been at least un-
consciously influenced by the appoint
ment OF his nephew. In n converse
tlon with President Cotter of the
Pere Marquette. he told me that he ex-
pressed his belief to Mr.. Merriam. his
general solicitor. that the charge
would be made that Mr.. Shields
nephew was appointed for the purpose
of influencing Mr. Shields. on account
OF that belief MIR. Cotter stated To me
that the appointment OF young Mr..
Shields was held mp for some time.
The very fact that Mr.. Cotter feared
unfavorable criticism on account Of the
indicated it's lmpropriety.
| wish To repeat that the Pere Mar
quette could have appointed any
member Of worthy young attorneys not
related to members of the Tax Com
Duty to "clean Up"
II expect TO stand the brunt OF a |
great many attacks. / promised the |
people Of Michigan that would clean |
up" II is not always a pleasant task, |
but II Is my duty and do not shrink |
from H. In my opinion Mr.. Shields has
been notoriously lax i'm the perform
ance of his duties, and in addition has !,
done improper things. II is stated that |
brewery interests Inv the Upper PEN
nsula qf Michigan in, their political /
opposition TO me. In my message to
he legislature and several times since
becoming governor have called atten-
ION TO the danger of brewery domina-
ion in Michigan. I.expect To continue
o point to that danger.
Il wish in this connection to briefly
'efer to history. For years the rail-
'oads of Michigan were in the political
BUSINESS. They were a most powerful
orce and dominates the state. They
lad the services of the best attorneys
n the state. Their organization was
lirected by the most acutely developed
elfish genius But the people rose
against them, demanded their rights
vrested the state from railroad tyran-
~: and the relations between the rail-
Dads and the people are better today
han they ever We're before in the his
ory Of the state.
Cautions the Brewers. Is
II wish TO caution the brewers. They
ever can become the political force
n Michigan that the railroads were.
Their organization is directed by some
{ the cheapest lawyers and bench
nen i'm Michigan. They are nearer the