The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-03-06

shall be kept, showing the amount OF capital
stock subscribed cad paid in, the names OF
its stockholders, and the amount owned by
each. Such books should be kept In the State
for the inspection OF stockholders, and for
the benefit Of creditors. 1t frequently be-
comes the duty of the State to Investigate
the affairs OF corporations within it. when
such books are absolutely necessary; indeed.
the State IL largely Interested in requiring
every tax-paying corporation to keep and
maintain within the State such books, not
only, put In addition thereto, books showing
fully Its financial con dtion.
This, together with the other matters re-
forred 70 In connection with this article. beg
TO commend to your most careful considera-
ton. These suggestions are made from no
spirit OF hostility to corporations. Every citi-
zen Of this State must appreciate the value of
railroads in developing our natural resources
and in promoting our prosperity. They can
only be constructed and operated in the future.
as in the past, by means Of corporate exist
ence. In all their lights and in their legiti-
mate interests they deserve, and have no
doubt will receive, as they heretofore have
done, the fostering care and protection of
wholesome laws. Unjust legislation against
them would have the effect to cripple their
powers for usefulness, and this in its effect,
would reach ar injure us all. The self-inter-
est of the people Of the State il, therefore,
alone sufficient to prevent such legislation.
But, on the other hand, no undue sensitive
ness should deter us from imposing upon them
such restrictions and regulations as are de-
manded by the interests OF the people, and are
OF such a character as to furnish to the cor
porations no just cause Of complaint, and are
also protection for the corporators.
There is no State in the Union in which the
IL ties Of freight are lower than in this, nor in
ch the roads are managed more directly
+ the interest of the people. Competition
the chief cause of this condition Of things.
while the ia ct that the managers Of most of
our roads are our own citizens, and interest
ed in the prosperity and welfare Of the State,
also has much to do with it. The more roads
we have the more competition we shall have,
and liberal legislatio.I invites the building Of
roads, end tan con- petition is kept up. The
propositions above enumerated are proposed
In tue spirit OF hberality, and should have
place in the organic law as safeguards for tho
people, the roads and the stockholders.
There are many other provisions in the re-
port OF the committee that are important and
worthy of mention, but fear that have al
ready trespassed upon your time and patience
in what have said. do not forget that 1
have no vo 'ce in the building of the constitu-
! tional fabric, except through the ballot-box.
| In considering the question Of remodeing the
organic law OF the state, presume no enc Of
! you, or any citizen, expects you to adopt an
instruments that will suit each individual mind.
Sincere beliefs and decided opinions may often
bave to be given up that the greatest good to
the greatest number may be accomplished.
trust that this is the spirit in which you have
come together, and that from it you may Gre
ate Constitution that will meet the approval
o. your own judgment and that Of the people,
whose representatives you are.
JOHN J. BAsLEY.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
The hours Of beginning sessions were fixed
at 8 a. IN. and 2 p. m. in the House.
II. A. Shaw, of Eaton, moved that the
House operate as Committee of the Whole
uo'ess otho wise ordered. The motion was
Loaf by great majority the sentiment being
in favor Of laying out the work and referring
1t to appropriate committees.
Each member of the House was voted S5
worth OF stationery during the session
despite determined efforts to reduce the sum
to 80.
A committee was appointed in the House to
draft resolutions in memory of deceased
members.
The proposed Constitution was ordered to
be first read in Com mittee of the Whole in
the House, afterward to be considered il
committee. The Senate decided on similar
action. Adjourned.