“No,” said he, with the promptness that characterizes all of his speech; “I never had anything mapped out in my life. I did whatever there happened to be for me to do, and let the result take care of itself.” “Is it the same with your political success, or is that the outgrowth of youthful ambition?” HOW HE BECAME MAYOR OF DETROIT. “No, I was pushed into that by accident. I had never been in the common council chamber before I was elected Mayor of Detroit. The thing that caught me was that my friends began to say I was afraid of the position, so, of course, I had to accept the nomination to prove that I wasn’t.” This was clever of his friends. The fact is that, at that time, the city needed the Governor’s brains to manage its affairs. He was elected Mayor of Detroit four consecutive terms and was in his eighth year as mayor when he resigned. Even his most earnest political opponents admit that he was the best mayor the city ever had. “But, during the formative years of your career, did you ever worry over the possibility of failure?” “No,” said the Governor serenely, “I never did, and don’t now. I was never given to worrying.” In this as in other ways, Mr. Pingree was remarkable. During the stormiest of his political times he was never in the least disturbed when he reached home, and he would sleep as peacefully as a child. “What would you suggest, Governor, as the best route by which the young man of to-day may obtain success?” “He can do one of two things: go to work for somebody else; or, if he cannot stand that, he can buy a small farm.” “Then you think there is not the chance in the United States now that there was thirty years ago?” “There isn’t a doubt about it. The young men of to-day are to be pitied—there isn’t anything for them to do. The subject is a serious one,” said the Governor, speaking rapidly. “Why, if I had nothing, I wouldn’t know how to advise my own son to start. I don’t claim to know much, but I do understand a little about the shoe business, and I can tell you honestly that, with the knowledge I have gained in many years of experience, and with the influence of my friends, I could not start in the shoe business to-day with the chance of success that I had then.” “And the causes of this?” “Are trusts and monopolies.” “And the result?” A GREAT CHANGE PROPHESIED. “There will be a great change in this country before many years. Free schools have so educated the people that they will not submit to this injustice forever, even though it is organized against them.” “But how will this change be effected?” “Through the splitting up of political parties—but it is sure to come.” “Recognizing the conditions that the young man of to-day has to contend with, what guide-posts would you point out to him?”