The White Elephant

The orthodox republican leaders of Michigan are sorely perplexed over the disposition of a white elephant which has, unbidden and unwelcomed, installed itself within their enclosure, and has proceeded, without unnecessary formality, to appropriate for its own election the choicest grazing in the pasture.

The elephant of snowy hue referred to is one Hazen S. Pingree, some time mayor of the city of Detroit, now pretty much governor of the state of Michigan. Gov. Pingree is nothing, if not unique and original. Robbed of these qualities the Pingresque looses its flavor. But he could be neither unique nor original and follow tamely in the republican rut. And moreover the governor has cast his weather eye to the windward and in his forecast of the future he foresees the inevitable (though somewhat delayed) triumph of the democracy. The doctrines of democracy not being unpalatable to his excellency he has preached them incessantly from the republican pedestal upon which he has elevated himself. He has with unparalleled audacity, denounced republican gods from within the republican temple. His republicanism is but a name and he don't care who knows it. His present attitude towards the republican party takes the form of the interesting interrogation, "What are you going to do about it?" And that is the all absorbing question in state politics today. What are they going to do about it?

It is altogether probable that a majority of the straight line republicans of this state favor the re-election of Senator Burrows. Yet the governor nominated and elected by the republican party has declared that Burrows shall be defeated. And he has lambasted in his peculiarly vigorous and refreshing style every republican leader of national repute from President McKinley down. Yet cordially as they hate him the federal machine would fuse with Pingree if they could. But Pingree won't fuse. He asks no quarter and gives none. It is, so far as he is concerned, a fight to a finish. The public will await with interest the time two years hence, when, with his machine thoroughly perfected and working smoothly in all its parts, he makes his debut in the broader area of national politics.