Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-02-23
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN,
WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEB. 90, 1883.
r4y- The Legislature adjourned at l2 o'clock

eay- The Legislature adjourned at IL o'clock
on the 18th inst We have not yet received the
journal of the proceedings had during the last
three days of the session, and are consequently
unable to give full particulars of all that has
been accomplished this winter at the capitol
The Maine Law was passed by heavy majorites
in both branches of the Legislature. 1t contains
a provision submitting it to the people at spe-
cial election to be held on the third Monday of
June next. The bill to provide for the con-
struction of ship canal around the falls OF ST.
Mary has become law. and commissioners for
the purpose of carrying out the objects of the
law have been appointed. The bill to provide
for the incorporation Of railroad companies pass
ed the house by majority of twelve, but was
not reached in the senate. The subject of a gen.
eral banking law, which completes the list of
those important measures that have for some
months past absorbed so great n share of public
attention throughout the State, seems to have
been passed over without any action.
An act has been passed revising and consoli-
dating the tax laws. The apparent intricacy Of
the tax law, which has heretofore been cause
of general complaint, and which has been owing
for the most part to numerous amendments
made from time to time, has thus been OBJ
waited, and the whole system made plain and in
telligible Some decided improvements might
be enumerated as having been made on the old
law, particularly the assessment of property at
its cash value. Many other bills have been pass
ed of which we are at present unable to give
full list
The Limitation of forty days has had its effect,
and the good policy Of this provision of the con-
stitution can no longer be questioned The re-
cent session has been an active one. It's duties
have been arduous and were necessarily perform
ed with expedition But we believe the legis-
lative power has been in the main wisely eXer-
cised. A practical conservative, business like spir
it has governed our law makers, and all has been
done that could be required at their hands as be-
ing at the present time absolutely essential to
the welfare of the State.
The new constitution prohibits the formation
of corporations by special act,except for munich
pal purposes. Until the passage of general laws
for the purpose, no more Rail Roads can be-
built within the State unless under existing
charters, and banking can be done only by in
stitutions already incorporated. Public senti-
ment is divided as to the eXpediency Of creating
general Rail Road Law at present. In some
quarters it is believed that il would prove detri-
mental to the best interest of the State, partic-
ularly by retarding the construction of the
Oakland and Ottawa road. Sooner or later We
must have the law, but we think no part of the
State will suffer on account of the failure of the
general rail road bill in the present Legislature.
Existing charters will be sufficient for the build
ing of all roads, that would actually be put in
State of construction within the next two years
under a general law.
safe system of banking in this State would
be beneficial, if for no other purpose, to drive
out the worthless trash that is now being pour
ed in from abroad. But we are not particularly
friendly to banks and would have no legislation
on the subject unless it be of the most guarded
and stringent kind. 1t is difficult to provide
against abuses of general law by legislative
enactments. At the present time the people of
Michigan are generally disposed to profit from
the experience of former years, and from the
more recent example Of neighboring State that
has, under a general banking law, become VIC
timized by Il circulating medium of the most
questionable character.
~ We call the attention of our readers to
a notice of The Singing Bird" in our column
of new advertisements. We have received a
copy of this neat little work, which we have ex-
amined carefully, and consider it perfect gem
~ booI- for nau harinnprs in the Stndv IF m