The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-02
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Letter from Our Regular Correspondent
TANorNf Tan 1877

One of the evils which every law-making
body should guard against is "class legisla-
tion." There is the moro necessity for vigil
lance in warding of this evil from the fact
that 80 much pressure is brought to bear npon
members of legislative bodies by persons or
corporations in whose interest such action Is
desired. Not only do the chartered corpora
tons besiege with every enticement which can
be used without suspicion of dishonesty, but
the varions boards of State institutions each
put In plea for their pets. Wednesday last
the doctors wanted q bill for the protection
of the people. but they didn't get it, as
the impression too largely prevailed that
the bill in question was principally in the in
terest Of the knights Of the pill-box and
scalpel. When a medical bill is presented
which meets the necessities OF the case in
plain and sensible manner there Ii little doubt
but that it will pass, yet we advise the doctors,
ii thew have any interest in the matter. to let
somebody else introduce and champion the
bill. The eloquent speeches the House
liatened to the other day in support OF catnip
tea and other "old woman's remedies, as the
doctors term them fully attest the fact that
some members have more faith in the
legends OF their grandmothers than
in the astute scientific knowledge
OF tho NJ. DIS who have so earnestly at heart
the protection Of the people against "quackerv
and empiricism." The impression is gradually
gaining ground that the medical department
Of our State University is the cause of alto
gether too much controversy. Already we
have two pathies running in the department,
and their systems are directly opposed to each
other. Now come the eclectics as a third
school, and ask that they, too, shall have their
representation. or course, there is just as
much reason for granting their request rs
there was for admitting either Of the
other schools, and when we have added
a third who knows how soon the fourth and
the fifth will knock at the door and "present
their card" Would it not be better to Danish
the medical department from the institution
entirely? That is go far as applies to the
medicine alone. The course OF anatomy and
chemistry rs well as the practice of operative
surgery could be maintained without any con-
fiicts between the pathies, and see little good
to result from the issuing of hundreds Of
diplomas to beardless youths who go out
to prey upon tho pocket-books and
lives Of the people under the
sanction of an institution supported by the
State. do not mean to say that no competent
physicians have been schooled ut the Univer-
sity. Far from it but do confidently assert
that not one-haf Of the graduates are qualified
for the practice Of medicine. 80 long as the
standard of medical excellence is placed at the
present low grade OF requirement in our col
ieges, we can hardly wonder that many OF the
people have more faith in catnip tea than in
the prescription of the professional practi-
toner.
Thursday evening, DR.. Kedzie of the State
Agricultural College undertook to illuminate
the subject Of kerosene oils with reference to
the relative merits OF highest and low-test
brands. The use OF Representative Hall had
been granted for the purpose OF the lecture and
most CT the members were present to obtain all
possible information upon a subject with ref
ference to which they have been rreyed
(prayed) upon by hosts Of petitions from deal
ers and consumers
DIR. Kedzie said the present law requiring a
flash test OF $50 degrees had been in force two
years. and. as a result during that time, we
have not had lamp explosion rer orted in the
State. The only fault the people found with
the law was that in many instances
the high test had given them an
oil with very poor burning qualities. The
doctor explained that the high test did not
necessarily produce this result. good high
test oil was good burning oil. The difficulty
had been that the dealers, in order to raise the
volatile-had run in large quantities of par
| affine In some cases the paraffine was
present to such an extent rs to render
the oil entirely useless for illumin-
| ating purposes. He showed four ounces
Of clear paraffine which he had
eliminated from one quart OF oil. The law
should be 30 amended that the Michigan test
would require freedom from paraffine, then we
would have a good oil. 1t would be a little
higher in price than the low-grade oil, bu.
would burn enough longer to make it fully as
| economical, to say nothing about the safety,
which was in reality the thing above price, or
| any other consideration.
On Friday the House and Senate, by con-
current resolution. adjourned until Feb. s. SO
as TO allow committees to visit the various
State institutions. Upon reassemblin5, the
| Legislature will enter upon its work in real
earnest. Already quite large number OF
bills have been introduced but the larger
grist is yet to come, as well as the more im
| portant
The Centennial Commissioners held meet
| ing of their board during the past week. They
will present report and it Is expected viii
ask al appropriation to cover deficiency.
They advise that the Michigan building al
Philadelphia be brought hither and attached tC
some ono OF the state institutions-for library
BUILDING or something of that nort
During the recess of the Legislature Ian
| sing will have q farmers institute, of which
shall have something to say in my next letter.
| The old State House looks solitary enough
to-day Your correspondent sits alone, like
Patience on a monument" etc. Think he
| will take occasion to "glide around" among
the State institutions with the rest Of the
boys" and you may soon expect an inkline
] of what he saw at the schools, asylums, etc.