The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-06
THE STATE CAPITAL.
LANSING, April 2, 1877.

LANSING, April z, 1871.
The most exciting episode of the past
week was occasioned by the report OF the
joint committee of the House and SEN
ate, which has had under Investigation
the alleged defalcations in the chemical
laboratory of the State University. The
committee appointed for this inyestiga-
ton was selected with great care, and
composed of men whose ability and un-
biased Judgment could not be doubted.
After, very thorough research, requir-
ing about two months of time, the COM
mittee have finally presented their re-
port, and it is document which de-
serves to have great weight with the
Legislature as well as with the people of
the State. The report finds much fault
with the manner in which the
Board of Regents have in times past
managed the affairs of the university,
ana presents some very pertinent facts
to sustain this charge. The report holds
DIR. Douglass responsible for the def
cheney, amounting to something over
s., 900. The Board of Regents, at a
meeting Wednesday, we learn, decided
to dismiss Mr.. Douglass from the service
OF the institution. raf.it
A considerable lobby in the interest
of various local bills has been present
for days past, and serves to relieve the
monotony to some extent. Most OF the
day Thursday was consumed in the dis
cussion of bill to provide a County
Superintendency of Schools" The bill
was finally defeated, after very warm
contest.
The special order, consisting of
several bills on the liquor ques-
ton, was reached, but postponed
to later day. The prohibi-
tionists claim to be gaining ground, and
have some hope of pressing their bill to
a successful issue. 1siro
The Governor sent to the House,
Thursday morning, his second and third
veto messages. They were on local bills,
and the principal objection raised was
that they were of that class known in
Legislative parlance as slate chickens"
that is, they were originated after the ex-
piration of the fifty-day limit prescribed
by the constitution, being constructed
after the same manner as the boy made a
new knife out of an old one, by first
putting in new blade and then putting
ON new handle"
OF course this sort of legislation de-
served rebuke, and the House meekly
submitted to the chastisement. The
members introducing these bills are
mainly to be blamed for their passage, as
in many instances their irregularity is
not known to those voting for them, at
tention not having been directed thereto
indeed, two of this class were approved
by the Governor without the least sus-
picion of their illegitimate birth.
The Senate has passed a bill to close
all drinking saloons on election day. The
bill will probably pass the House without
much opposition. And, while speaking
of elections, will mention that there
are also several other bills before the
Legislature in reference thereto. One
provides punishment for pool-selling
or betting on the result of elections;
another prohibits the use of money
by candidates for Office for any
other purpose than merely pay
ing for the printing of tickets; but
if passed, would probably be evaded in
many ways. Then there is bill for more
stringent regulations relative to registra-
ton of voters, which has merit, and will
probably meet with due consideration.
1t is thought that the bill known as
Bakers Caucus bill, which passed the
House last week, will be killed in the
Senate.
The Senate have had the "Beard
claim under consideration, and much
opposition is shown to it. 1t has hereto
fore always passed the Senate with near
ly unanimous vote, but last session was
defeated in the House by nearly equal
ly divided vote.
An appropriation of $50, 200 to build a
new dormitory at the Agricultural Col
lege Gn place of one recently burned
DOWN passed the Senate Wednesday,
after some skirmishing.
Socially, Lansing has been rather dull
during the week, the only entertainments
being a lecture ON art, at the Opera
House. and hop at the Light Guard
armOry.
As the time for "town meeting" APP
preached, resolution was offered and
passed in the Senate adjourning
from Friday until Tuesday evening
next. The House wanted to adjourn one
day earlier, and so amended the resolu-
ton. The Senate refused to concur in
the amendment, and when the House had
appointed committee of conference the
Senate, being appraised of that fact,
adjourned for the day very uncer-
enormously, to prevent any action
with reference thereto. This of course
excited the intractable spirit of the
"boys" down stairs, and, after some
indulgence in filibustering, they finally
played practical joke at their own ex-
pense by adiourning to 4:30 a. m. next,
Just imagine the grey-bearded sages
OF the Legislature crawling out of bed
mt that unreasonable hour to answer to
roll-call. OF course some of them
didn't come, and call of the House
placed them under the ban so to
speak--and they are wanted by the Ser
geant-at-Arms. They will probably re-
appear some time next week if their con-
stituents don't capture them and send
them to the insane asylum.
1t must not be prqsrned from, fbaaa