Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-03-31
Aipema IfarbOr Free.

The Lansing correspondent of
the Detroit Post writes as follows
relative to the repeal of the act
establishing o harbor company at
Alpeha.
An innocent-looking bill, about
an inch long, went through the
House under suspension of Wig.
Hence Saturday afternoon, thereby
wipihg out an existing corporation,
as well as eight pages of the Com
piled Laws. In 1861 q law was
passed for the formation of COM
panies to construct canals and har-
bors, and to improve the same.
Under this act the Alpena Harbor
Company was organized. The con-
troll of this company and the most
of the stock have since passed into
the hands of one man, who, 1t is
complained, collects extortionate
tolls, but does not properly improve
the harbor. An attempt to take
away the company's franchise was
made two years ago, but the bill
was vigorously contested, and fail
ed to pass. This year five or six
different bills were introduced for
the same purpose, so that if one
failed another might pass. The
first Of these, Senate 1911, introdu-
ced by Senator Gray, passed the
Senate on Friday, and came down
to the house. According to its
wording it simply repeats the act
of 1861. The lawyers say that
this repeal carries with it the fran
chise of the existing company, but
most of the members were entirely
unaware of this fact, surprising that
the repeal would simply prevent
the formation of such companies
in future. The bill went to the
Committee on Harbors and was by
them reported favorably during
the afternoon.
Mir. Hollon then moved that the
rules be suspended and the bill put
on It's immediate passage.
Mr.. Churchill said it was necess-
airy that the bill shonld pass soon.
as there was a dredge within nine
miles of the harbor of Alpena,
which the citizens desired to OBJ
tain the use of. He didn't state
that the dredge was on runners,
but that was the obvious inference,
since the danger of its removal was
so imminent. Without further re-
mark the bill was passed by q
yeas and nay, Mr.. Sweetland.
The bill was Immediately return
ed to the Senate. Mr.. Greusel
had just moved to adjourn, when
Mr.. Gray, with that bland and in
nocent smile, requested the Sem
ator to withdraw the motion for a
moment, and asked to have the
order of messages from the House
resumed. This was done, and the
Secretary read the message an
nouncing the passage of Senate
bill 10l, to repeal, etc, which was
referred to the COMMITTEE on En-
grossment and Enrolment FOR en-
rollment, Mr.. Greusel Immediately
essayed to renew his motion for
adjournment, but he was only
about half way to his feet, when
the Committee on Engrossment and
Enrolment reported correctly en-
rolled Senate bill 1871, to repeal,
ect. Senators then looked around
to see If the Governor was not in
the room, with pen in hand, ready
to sign the document. He didn't
happen to be, but the bill was sign
ed within 10 minutes, and was be-
yond the reach of message for
its recall by the House, in case
that body should wake up by Mon
day morning. Mr. Churchill, the
member for Alpena, was soon after
ward heard asking for some of
those new fashioned two quart bot
ties Of champagne.