The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-12
THE STATE CAPITAL.

Letter from Our Regular Correspondent.
LANSING, Jan. 8, 1877.
The Legislature elected last November con-
vened at the old State House in this city, on
"Wednesday, the Sd inst. The organization
after the usual amount of preliminary caucus
ing-was very quietly perfected, as has ere this
been announced through your general news
columns.
1t would be difficult just at present to pre-
dict what important questions will come before
this body DOR consideration. The fact of the
sessions being biennial permits larger acoumu-
] alton OF business than would be expected in
States holding annual sessions, Then, too,
the interests Of Michigan are 30 varied, her
sources of wealth and production 30 numerous
as TO constantly develop the necessity for new
and better legislation embracing the features
which experience has shown TO be wanting In
previous enactments.
BY interviewing former members who were
present at the organization OF the Legislature
this year, we learn that the people have chosen
a class of men who will compare very fsvora-
bly, with any Legislature that has previously
assembled in the State. The Senate Is COM
posed of able and experienced men, who will
fully maintain the dignity Of that honorable
body. The House includes many younger
have yet to see their fortietn year. Those who
are older are univer sally quite active and
earnest in their expressions for prompt and
efficient work. The present session will prob
ably not be lengthy one-and yet, as we
stated above, it must necessarily embrace
large amount of important work.
The railroad interests OF the State will do
mand no inconsiderable attention. The time
having arrived at which the State has the
privilege of modifying the charters OF some
of the heaviest corporations OF this character,
the companies In question VIII :" take the
anxious seat" until their cases are disposed Of.
Railroad taxation will merit due share OF
attention also, as, under the present arrange
ment, some corporations are paying loss than
one-fourth part the percentage returned by
other roads. Ma think the Office OF Rail-
road Commissioner could safely be abolished,
or at least the SALARY reduced.
Some bad legislation consummated two years
ago, with reference to tax laws, should be
promptly undone. Non-resdents and corpora
tons like the present law very well, but it don't
work satisfactorily to honest taxpayers.
The common school system needs a thorough
overhauling, and we think practical educators
will universally agree with US in demand for
the restoration OF the County Superntendency
law, repealed two years since. Perhaps re-
enactment might be bettered by some slight
notifications Of the old law.
The State institutions generally will put in
their plea for attention and flor "cash. Or
course the Agricultural College must have
new building to replace the old dormitory re-
Gently bnrned The new House Of Correction
at Ionia will soon be completed, as we'll as the
Eastern Insane Asylum, at Flint, and provision
must be made for the equipment and manage
ment of both.
sOf course there will be plenty of local legis-
lation for the convenience or benefit OF indi-
viduals, cities aud villsges-much OF which
might better be left undone-as, generally
tha will ha
escape the sf1i iction Of sugar-coated jobbery
which too often presents itself in this form.
The old state House is in very dilapidated
condition, and it is with the greatest imagina-
BILE difficulty that members can be made any
thing like comfortable during the sessions.
All will hail with Joy the completion OF the
new Capitol, which will be ready for occu-
pancy before the next biennial session. The
new Capitol Is a marvel OF beauty In archi-
lecture, and its massive substantial ap-
pearance insures the admiration OF genera
tons vet to come One Of the best features
about it ID the fact that there has been
no sort Of jobbery or swindling thus far
connected with the outlay of the large amount
Of money required to accomplish such mag
nificent work. The building will cost, when
completed, only little over 1000, 600, and
will compare we'll with structures built in
other States at q cost Of more than twice the
sum.
Before another week shall pass your CORE
spondent hopes to have an opportunity for
visiting the Reform School and State Agri-
cultural College, to one or both Of which
the next letter will be largely devoted. Other
local matters will also, as occasion presents,
come in for their share of the scribbling.
Hoping that in the meantime, your humble
servant may become recopciled to the discom-
forts of cold feet, boarding house hash
and the other affi lctions Michigan legislators
are compelled to submit to, he promises you
moro and bettef anon.