The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-16
FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
LANSING, Mich, Feb. IL,

LANSING, Mich, Feb. IL, 1877.
The past week has been busy one in the
Legislative halls. Members who took the OPP
portunity afforded by weeks adjournment to
visit and consult with their constituency re-
turned loaded down with petitions memorials
and local bills.
In the House bill has been passed prohibit
ing the marriage OF first cousins The quest
ion provoked a lively discussion and con-
siderable merriment Some OF the old MEM
beers testified TO having had many good
time with their cousins" and some Of the
young members thought il hard that they
should be deprived of the same priyilege-but
the wise Lawmakers were morciless and the bill
passed by over two-thirds majority. or course
ii has yet 10 run the gantlet OF the Senate and
gubernatorial criticism before becoming law,
and all the first cousins who want 10 marry will
do well to improve the time, "a their connubial
engagements are In imminent danger Of being
interfered with.
Another little Marriage bill" still fingers be-
fore the House. IL provides that mo- male under
II years OF age, and no female under ~ years,
shall be qualified 10 contract marriage without
the consent of his or her parents or guardian. OF
n
monstrance against this bill. The arguments,
pro and con, have been very interesting. IA nh
argument in favor OF early marriages, Pat Nc
Ginnis, the joyial auctionecr from Detroit, In
formed the House that there was only sixteen
years difference between the ages OF himself
and his mother. Very naturally Paul Gies, who
IL IA little blunt Of perception. wanted TO know
which was the Oldest All agreed that Pat was
individually very ,oeigdy argument in favor
OF early marriages. Further consideration of
the bill was postponed for ten days. in order to
give the boys chance !" 10 prepare their little
speeches.
Capt Allen, Representative from Ypsilanti
"prcachcd 10 the boys at the Reform School
yesterday-and while speaking Of religious
matters 1t might not be amiss to mention the
fact that some Of the staid deacons of the
House and Senate attended the Light Guard
ball, at the armory Friday evening, much to
the dissatisfaction of Bro. johnson, who seems
10 have assumed sort Of pastoral care over
the members
DIR. Reynolds, the great temperance reformer,
visited Lansing during the adjournment Of the
Legislature, and, as a consequence, red rib
bons and white ribbons are very conspicuous.
The Doctor was very successful here, AZ he has
been elsewhere, and seemingly has done much
good. 1t Is universally regretted that he could
not remain until the converting Of the Legisla
tune, AZ many of the members would have been
pleased to hear him, and some, no doubt, bene-
fitted thereby.
1t is well known that during the last cam
paign very large sums of money were wagered
upon the result of the election of State and
other officials. The law prohibiting betting
lacks some very essential features, and bill
was introduced Saturday which proposes to
check the great evil by he following penal
ties Any person betting money or
other property ON the result of an election.
is made liable to fine of not less than S25 or
more than II 1000, and in addition thereto be
disqualified from voting at the election upon
which such bet is made. The penalty for sell
ing or Offering to sell pools upon the result of
an election is even more severe, including I'M
prisonmcnt for limited term in the county
Jail. The feature disqualifying the person from
voting, it is believed, will tend to secure its en-
forcement.
A bill was introduced Friday amending the
charter of the Michigan Central Railroad Com
pany. This will be huge question to grapple
with, and it is important that the greatest care
be exercised III dealing with the matter. Rail-
roads should not be crippled by unjust egisla-
ton, nor should they be allowed TO build up
large monopohes to Cypress the people.
One of the most important bills yet presented
is that providing for the incorporation of mu-
tual benefit loan and savings associations These
associations are said to be very numerous in
Canada and Great Britain, and are also said to
be popular and successful.
The Changers have sent in a resolution asking
for the reduction of the legal rate of interest
from 10 To per cent.
The State institutions are asking for about
II, 000, 900 for buildings and for eWrent ex-
penses. Those which are most modest III their
demands will probably get all they ask, but
some may be disappointed to a considerable ex-
tent The State University wants a new library
building. 1t is thought by some that the insti-
tuition may be accommodated in way not an
ticipated by the management when they
asked for the appropriation That is, that
the medical department be abolished and the
building now used for it devoted to other pur-
poses. This would afford ample room for an
extensive library, and, if path yafter pathy Is to
knock for admission at the doors of the Uni
versity, can hardly see why it would not be
better to withdraw State support from medical
schools entirely. II is questionable whether tina
State has any more right to support "pathy IN
medicine than 1t has 10 support :" creed III re-
! ligion.
! The celebrated Beard claim" is again be-
/ fore the Legislature, and has been reported
! favorably by the Senate committee. We hope
the matter may be finally settled this winter
Ii the claim is Just one il should be paid. II
not just one It should be so thoroughly re-
buked that all future cfosts to press it upoI
| the State will be discouraged.
1t was hoped that the present legislative SEES
sion would be short one, but bills are pouring
in at rapid rate and already there isbefort
the body more business than has been done a.
some of the previous sessions during the pas
few years. / hope no hnrried legislation viii
be allowed, yet the thought OF staying fo
more than three months m the miseraby venti
| lated, uncomfortable Old building used as
State House is not ut all pleasant.