How "bill" Judson Fooled Pingree

How "Bill" Judson Fooled Pingree

WASHTENAW STATESMAN GOT PROMISE FROM BLISS

Then He Gave His Friend Pingree the Merry Ha Ha and Won Out as Usual

When Senator Helme was in Jackson last week he told to the Jackson Patriot a couple of anecdotes illustrative of the tricks and the manners of the great and only Hon. William Judson, state oil inspector and maker of governors and congressmen under the present political dispensation in Michigan.

The honorable Bill, it will be remembered, was a trusted member of the late Gov. Pingree's political cabinet, and the reform governor had a high opinion of the political sagacity of the man with a wink. He never changed his opinion in this regard, it is said, but in other matters he found occasion to revise his judgment. It came about in this way:

Gov. Pingree's last term was nearing its close, but the governor was by no means ready to step down and out. He was not through with Michigan politics, not by a long sight. But he had been having hard times with his appointment. The "immortals" in the state senate had been turning them down with heartbreaking regularity. Then it was found that the appointment of state oil inspector did not require senatorial confirmation, and the governor saw his opportunity. He would get the honorable Bill to resign, immediately reappoint him for a two years' term, and thus, in spite of the despised senate, he would have all of the deputy oil inspectors, and the able machine which the honorable Bill had builded so well, attached to his own band wagon by every consideration of gratitude.

The governor broached the proposition to the oil inspector. "You resign, Bill," he said, "then I'll reappoint you and we'll have all those deputies on our side. Great scheme, Bill."

But Bill wasn't so sure, though he only said he would take time to consider the matter. He did, and came to the conclusion that at the present juncture of affairs he would do his friend, William J., a good turn. The statesman from Washtenaw believed that Pingree was a dead one and that he had more use for the coming man than for the going one. So he promptly laid the whole situation before Bliss and Atwood.

"Now. Mr. Bliss," said he, "if you will give me a written promise to appoint me I will steer all the boys in your direction. If you don't I will have the appointment anyway, and, of course, I may have to do differently."

Bliss just tumbled over himself to make the promise, of course, and Mr. Judson, at the last moment, gave Pingree a bad turn by refusing to resign. In the Course of events the Grand Rapids convention occurred, and Judson earned his appointment. But those who know the true inwardness of the situation, as it then developed, smile to themselves when tales are told to the effect that Judson's power in Washtenaw is based upon his loyalty to his friends.