USA > Michigan > Michigan as a province, territory and state, the twenty-sixth member of the federal Union > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
225
226
MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
was captured with a number of his comrades while guarding a wagon train. He was confined for five months in the prisons at Andersonville, Salisbury and Millen, when he was exchanged and rejoined his regi- ment in front of Petersburg. He was in the battles at Petersburg, Sailors Creek, Farnsville and was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. He was mustered out of service in August, 1865.
Shortly thereafter he went to Detroit and found employment at his trade in a shoe factory. He decided to embark in business for himself and in December, 1866, in company with Charles H. Smith, a small shoe factory was bought. The entire capital of Pingree & Smith in this venture was thirteen hundred and sixty dollars. The first year they employed but eight persons, and their entire production reached only twenty thou- sand dollars. From this small beginning by industry, strict attention to business and judicious management a trade was rapidly built up which required increased facilities, improved machinery and enlarged quarters. In the course of the thirty intervening years the estab- lishment had grown to be one of the largest of the kind in the United States, employing nearly a thousand work- men and with an annual product of more than a million dollars. From the beginning of the enterprise Mr. Pin- gree had the entire personal supervision of it. The credit of its success was due to his hard work, good business judgment and energetic management. This success brought wealth to both partners.
Up to 1889 Mr. Pingree had taken no part whatever in public affairs. Absorbed in his own business, he had never found time or inclination to mingle with his fellow citizens in public efforts for reform in municipal or state matters. He had usually voted the Republican ticket and had not been known to criticise the party
227
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
management. In the fall of 1889 a municipal cam- paign was on in Detroit. The Democrats had been for many years in unchallenged control, but some things had been done by Mayor Pridgeon, the incumbent, who was a candidate for re-election, which made him some- what unpopular. The Republicans were inclined to take advantage of this fact. They were looking for a business man for a candidate, who had no political antagonisms and who would administer the affairs of the city on a business basis. At a meeting of Republican business men to consider the situation various names were suggested. Finally some one proposed Mr. Pin- gree, who was present, and the suggestion met with favor. Before the meeting broke up Mr. Pingree had consented to make the canvass. He was nominated and was elected by a good round majority. He knew noth- ing of the wiles of the politicians and apparently had no desire to learn them. He chose wise, level-headed advisers, and his administration had been proceeding in a quiet and uneventful manner for nine or ten months when an event happened which apparently changed him almost in a day from an unambitious business man to a politician of the most advanced type.
This event was a strike of all employes of the local street car lines. The strike proceeded to the extremity of rioting in the streets and thoroughfares, with destruc- tion of property, and so evidently had passed beyond the control of the police and other public authorities. The street car company was very unpopular and the strikers had public sympathy mainly on their side. In this situation of affairs, with Mr. Pingree as the head of the city government bound to preserve order and pro- tect lives and property, he harangued the strikers and told them in effect that they were right and that he endorsed their conduct. Under these circumstances the
228
MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
street car company promptly surrendered to the strikers who were permitted to make their own terms for restor- ing order and resuming public service. This result made Mr. Pingree a hero in the eyes of the class which the strikers represented, although it greatly embittered against him the capitalistic class. It was upon this policy that he then decided, apparently, to build his political plans. There can be no question that the great majority of the voters were with him. He was four times elected mayor of Detroit, carrying everything before him, overwhelming all opposition.
The street car situation furnished Mr. Pingree with political capital for several years. The popular preju- dice against the concern helped him in his warfare upon it for a reduction of fares. The owners of one company, mainly citizens of Detroit, sold out their interests to New York capitalists who thereupon advanced fares from six tickets for twenty-five cents to a straight nickel, as they had a right under their charter to do. Mr. Pingree induced some capitalists, mainly local friends, to build competing lines to all parts of the city. A charter was granted with fares fixed at eight tickets for a quarter up to eight o'clock P. M., and after that hour six tickets for a quarter. He also induced the city to begin suit against the old company to test the validity of its charter, taking the ground that this had been illegally extended. He fought "the octopus," as he described it, with tooth and nail, but he was finally defeated on every legal proposition in the court of last resort, the Supreme Court of the United States. He held on to the office of mayor after he assumed the duties of governor, for the purpose of fighting a consolidation of all the roads in the city, including the one he had himself promoted as a com- peting company. This consolidation he was not able
229
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
to prevent. During the whole of Mr. Pingree's strenu- ous career, from the outbreak of the street car strike in 1890, to its closing chapter ten years later, a street car fight was perpetually on. There were times when the controversy might have been settled, to the apparent advantage of the city, but he would permit no settle- ment. His characteristics provoked warm antagonisms, as well as warm advocates. But it seemed to many that he enjoyed controversy and that a state of peace and quietness would not have been pleasing to him.
He showed genuine sympathy with the toilers and those endowed with little or nothing of this world's goods. After the panic of 1893 there was much dis- tress among the working classes, owing to lack of employment. The city came to the relief of the needy in the usual fashion of doling out supplies of fuel, food and clothing. Mayor Pingree made a suggestion which was at once taken up and carried to success, until all need for temporary relief had passed. Under his advice and supervision vacant lands in the city were turned over to all who would use them, to be planted with potatoes and other garden vegetables. The city provided teams and tools to cultivate the ground, and also seeds for planting. The crops were largely planted and cared for by women and children, and when har- vested in the fall supplied the needy families with food for the winter. This was the wisest kind of charity, for it gave all self-respecting persons a chance to raise their own subsistence. The plan was carried out through two or three successive summers until there seemed to be no longer need for this method for helping the poor. It attracted very wide attention and comment at the time and made the name of Pingree, as the orig- inator of the scheme, known far and wide.
In 1896 Mr. Pingree received the Republican nomi-
230
MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
nation for governor. It was the year of a presidential campaign, in which the Democratic party was split by the nomination of Mr. Bryan for the presidency on a free silver platform. Mr. Pingree received three hun- dred and four thousand, four hundred and thirty votes, to two hundred and twenty-one thousand votes for Charles R. Sligh, Bryan Democrat, and nine thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight for Rufus S. Sprague, straight Democrat. Mr. Pingree was still mayor of Detroit and undertook to retain that office after he had been inaugurated governor. Proceedings were begun against him to oust him from the mayorality, and the Supreme Court held that, since the law provides that the mayor is subject to be removed by the governor, both offices could not properly be held by the same per- son at the same time.
The other state officers serving during this same term were, Thos. B. Dunstan, lieutenant governor; Washington Gardner, secretary of state; George A. Steel, treasurer; Roscoe D. Dix, auditor general; Fred A. Maynard, attorney general; William A. French, commissioner of land office; Jason E. Hammond, super- intendent of instruction. During Governor Pingree's second term the same state officers were associated with him, except that Orren W. Robinson was lieutenant governor; Justus S. Stearns was secretary of state; Horace M. Oren was attorney general. At the election in 1898 Governor Pingree's plurality over Justin M. Whiting, Democrat, was seventy-five thousand.
In his inaugural message to the legislature of 1897 Governor Pingree sounded the keynote of the policy which he faithfully followed through his entire guber- natorial career-primary election reform and railroad taxation. These two things had taken strong hold on his mind. With reference to the former he said, "If we
231
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
would inaugurate reforms in our state government we must commence where the governing power originates, in party organizations and conventions. Under a rep- resentative form of government the people should have free choice of their representatives. Any obstruction to such' choice should be removed. Syndicates of office seekers are formed, corrupt combinations are made, delegates are bought and sold, promises of position to unworthy men are often of necessity made. The con- vention has become the medium of trickery, bribery and fraud. The direct vote of the ballot holder for party candidates is the simplest means of expressing prefer- ence for representatives." This was the opening gun against the "bosses" who had controlled caucuses and conventions, made up slates and manipulated political affairs in their own personal interests. It is worthy of note that these "bosses" fought vigorously and long to save their power and prestige. Mr. Pingree had been in his grave for years before the great reform for which he gave the clarion call was conquered by and for the people.
The same is true in even greater degree of the other question of which he made mention in his first message. After speaking of the necessity for reducing the charges of department and state institutions to their proper maintenance and administration, he added: "I also recommend, in order to the proper distribution of the public burdens, that all forms of wealth bear their just proportion of taxation. The policy of continuing the system of specific taxation of corporations as the sole resource of the state from such organizations, which originated when the state was new and which favored the promoters of needed works for small and scattered communities, has long been regarded with disfavor by the people of this state, who contend that the time has
232 MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
arrived when the well-known inequalities of taxation should be adjusted and proportioned according to val- ues. There is nothing novel in this recommendation. In 1877 Governor Bagley took occasion to emphasize the inequalities of specific taxation of corporations. In the same year Governor Croswell recommended im- proved methods for uniformity in levying taxes. In 1887 Governor Luce recommended the equalization of taxa- tion. In 189 1 Governor Winans recommended equalizing taxation as between classes of property paying specific taxes and property under assessment. It will thus be seen that the contention of the people against the sys- tem of solely specific taxation of corporations found expression at the capitol through several of the gover- nors regardless of party, and as early as the seventies, and that the recommendations were in favor of taxing the property of the corporations as other property is taxed. The question therefore, is no longer for debate but for energetic action." Nevertheless, the corpora- tions were all-powerful in the Legislature, and Gov- ernor Pingree passed off the stage, as did also his suc- cessor, before there was any glimmer of light indicating the coming day for the tax-burdened householder. The taxation of mortgages upon land was condemned by the governor as double taxation. The Legislature took prompt note of this and repealed the mortgage tax law.
Governor Pingree in characteristic style in his mes- sage paid his respects to a class of persons who fre- quented the capitol during sessions of the Legislature. He said: "I cannot refrain from expressing my views upon the subject of the professional lobbyist. At every session of the Legislature just meaures are killed by the enemies of good government and equal rights, and the means used to compass their death are the paid lob- byists who infest our halls. If the members of the
233
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
Legislature are not intelligent enough to give indepen- dent thought and action to great public measures with- out the aid of those who wine and dine and cajole and flatter and bribe, at least some steps should be taken to modify the nuisance. I do not propose to formulate rules for the government and control of those whose business it is to obstruct legislation. If the lobbyist, like the poor, must be always with us to aid in thinking and assist us in acting and furnishing us food and drink, there should be some method of enrollment and a fee demanded as a condition precedent to the right to prac- tice before the people's legislative jury."
"It has come to my knowledge that some of these professionals have secured large retainers from individ- uals and corporations who are interested in obstruct- ing honest legislation. It unfortunately happens that in the past at least a few of the members of both houses have occupied the dual capacity of legislators and lob- byists, being paid by the people a small salary to serve in the former capacity, and being hired by the people's enemies at high salaries to serve in the other capac- ity. It has not been necessary for these to be enrolled, as their real employers are generally discovered early in the session of the Legislature."
He also dealt somewhat with the question of public franchises, upon which he had decided views, gained through his experience with the Detroit street railways. He said: "Combinations and consolidations by fran- chise owners in cities are going on all over the United States. These combinations and consolidations are for the purpose of keeping up tolls. These tolls are indi- rect taxes, and to the extent that the right to regulate the tolls is abandoned by the sovereign or the local power to the franchise owner, to that extent the right to levy taxes is given away. The state or the municipal-
234
MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
ity appoints an agent for a period of thirty years, and before the time has half expired the agent becomes the master and the master becomes the slave." He main- . tained that the state should always reserve the right to regulate the charges of public service corporations, such as street railways, telephone, express companies, sleep- ing car lines, etc. He insisted that some way should be found to prevent such corporations from watering their stock and issuing bonds to an unlimited extent, thus compelling the public to pay interest and divi- dends upon over issues. It is to be noted that the Legis- lature paid little or no attention to these wise and important recommendations.
Governor Pingree lacked tact in dealing with mem- bers of the Legislature. He was addicted to saying sharp things and his intemperate language often pro- voked personal antagonisms which seriously hamp- ered his good intentions. Because the senate hesitated to confirm some of his nominations he denounced that body and threatened to defer all his appointments until the legislature had adjourned and then make them as recess appointments. He objected to the Senate con- sidering his nominations behind closed doors and promised to break in and listen to the harsh things said about himself in executive session. Nevertheless, in spite of all this friction, nearly all his nominations were confirmed; at least he fared no worse in this respect than the average of governors. And the Legislature brought forth a fairly good quantity of worthy laws.
Provision was made for agricultural institutes in the several counties. A liberal appropriation was made and the whole matter was placed in charge of the State Board of Agriculture. A scheme of home reading cir- cles was also provided for, with a systematic plan for making more tolerable the condition of the rural
- - -
235
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
agriculturists. In the same line was the provision for a bonus of one cent a pound for all the beet sugar pro- duced in the state. This was a new industry, just in an experimental stage. It had been demonstrated that sugar beets could be successfully grown in Michigan. The mills and machinery for converting beets into sugar were somewhat expensive. In order to grow the beets profitably it was essential to have the sugar making machinery near at hand, for the market would not stand the expense of a long haul of the raw mate- rial. The plan worked. A large number of mills were started, the beet growing industry was stimulated and Michigan speedily became one of the great sugar pro- ducing states. When the necessity for it had passed, a few years later, the bounty law was repealed.
Another law in the interest of the farmer was that which made it a penal offense to color oleo-margarine in imitation of butter. The market had become flooded with the cheap products of the Chicago slaughter- houses, put up in the form of butter and not easily distinguishable in appearance from it. This stuff, if properly made and carefully handled, may have been wholesome enough. But it could be made so much more cheaply than butter that the latter stood no chance against it in competition. Hence the legislation. The general government also soon found it necessary to enact similar restrictions.
Voting machines were first authorized in 1893, when the Rhines machine was approved. At the following session of the Legislature the Myers machine was per- mitted to be used at certain elections. In 1897 author- ity was given to use the Abbott or any tested and relia- ble voting machine. The provision was that the board of supervisors of any county, or the council of any city or village may at a regular meeting by two-thirds vote
IV-16
236
MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
authorize the use of such machines at any election dur- ing the ensuing year. Tests were required and instruc- tions to voters and the method of voting and canvassing the vote was prescribed. Machines were tried in vari- ous localities. With all their obvious advantages they still show some serious defects and so have not yet come into general use.
At the election in the spring of 1897 Judge Charles D. Long was re-elected to the Supreme bench. William J. Cocker was re-elected a member of the board of regents of the university and Charles D. Lawton was also elected a regent.
-
-----
CHAPTER XV THE WAR WITH SPAIN
الليبية ابكم كبير ーーー+
T' HE war with Spain is assumed to date from April 21, 1898, when Minister Woodford was given his passports at Madrid, although the formal declara- tion by the congress was not made until April 25th. The act of declaration by the congress stated that war has existed since the 2 1st day of April. On April 23d the presi- dent called for one hundred and twenty-five thou- sand volunteers. A second call was made May 25th for seventy-five thousand, bringing the total of men called for up to two hundred thousand. This latter call proved to have been unnecessary. In the preceding March, seeing the trouble brew- ing, the congress had appropriated fifty million dollars for national defense. Hurried preparations were at once made for mobolizing and equipping the levies. The plans of the government included the increase of the regular army to about sixty-five thousand men. Beyond that the several states were called upon to fur- nish their quota of the volunteers, based on population. This call upon the states was confined first to the militia, where such organizations existed, and then to the citizens at large. The governors of the several states were informed that members of the state militia would be first mustered. The war department . espe- cially enjoined the state governors to inform the mem- bers of the militia that enlistment must be entirely vol- untary. No reflection upon patriotism or courage should be cast upon any members of the militia who could not leave their homes or employment, except at unnecessary sacrifice. The number required of Michigan on the first call was four full regiments of infantry of a thou- sand men each, and upon the second call about one more regiment of a thousand men.
239
240 MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
The state cut something of a figure in the war, aside from the regiments which it put into the field. Russell A. Alger, who was secretary of war, was a former governor of Michigan. Upon his shoulders fell the responsibility of equipping, transporting across the sea and maintaining in the field the troops required in the campaigns in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. After more than thirty years of peace it may well be supposed that the sudden call to active military opera- tions found the country all unprepared for such an emergency. In response to the President's call the country arose almost en masse. Tenders of service came from every direction. It is safe to say that ten men offered their services where one was required. These overwhelming offers were embarrassing. Meanwhile the war department was trying its utmost to get things in shape for equipping and handling the recruits to the regular army and the volunteers gathered by the states. To transport the army and its equipment and supplies to Cuba required many ships. In this emer- gency Secretary Alger called to his assistance Colonel Frank J. Hecker of Detroit, of whose fitness for the task the secretary had personal knowledge, and assigned to him the duty of procuring the ships. They were promptly forthcoming. The command of the fifth corps, which was the army which invaded Cuba and fought before Santiago, was assigned to Major General William R. Shafter, a native of Michigan, who had served efficiently in the Civil War which he entered as a lieutenant of the Seventh Michigan Infantry. After the close of the Civil War he joined the regular army in which he had risen to the rank of brigadier general, upon merit and length of service. Colonel Henry M. Duffield of Detroit, was made a brigadier general of volunteers and was assigned to the command in Cuba
241
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
of a brigade composed of the ninth Massachusetts and the thirty-third and thirty-fourth Michigan regiments of volunteers. Major George H. Hopkins of Detroit, was appointed a personal aid to the Secretary of War and was assigned to the duty of selecting camps and inspecting the sanitary and other conditions surrounding them. Only a small fraction of the regiments raised were called to the front. Others were gathered in camps at Tampa, Mobile, Washington and Chicka- mauga. Besides these thus gathered in army camps there were others in regimental camps in their several states, which never left them, but were disbanded after it became evident that their services in the field would not be required. It was the duty of Major Hopkins to familiarize himself with the conditions of these vari- ous camps and suggest methods of remedying defects. After the engagement at Santiago, which practically ended the war, the health of the troops in Cuba required that the men be sent North at the earliest possible moment. Accordingly a convalescent camp was estab- lished at Montauk Point, Long Island, to which the whole of Shafter's army was brought. In this camp Major C. B. Nancrede of the Medical Department of the State University, was chief surgeon. He had served from the beginning of the war as surgeon of the thirty- third Michigan, and upon his promotion was succeeded by Major Victor C. Vaughan, also of the State Uni- versity.
It happened that the Legislature was in session when the war broke out. It promptly passed an act for a war loan of a half million dollars. Governor Pingree threw himself with all his wonderful energy into the task of raising, equipping and sending into the field at the earliest possible moment the state's quota. On the day following the call of the President an order was
242
MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.