The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-03-16
THE STATE CAPITAL.
LANSING. March ~. 1877.

LIE ptSt week Ihs Dceu rhthei u
"tame" one in Legislative circles Nc
bills of great import have been up
for consideration, yet some of the smaller
ones have consumed large amount OF
time. One small appropriation bill re-
quired nearly two days for consideration
in the committee of the whole and on
its final passage in the House. 1t being
the first appropriation bill brought be-
fore the Legislature this session, certain
members, who have heretofore given
notice of their intention to "cut down"
ON all expenses of State institutions, con-
Guided to make this an example
or precedent for the remainder.
The bill passed the committee of the
whole without amendment, after good
deal of spirited opposition but, upon
its final passage, was reduced about
7 per cent. The amount appropri-
ated is about equal to the appropriation
made for the same institution two years
ago.
As mental aliment for the capacious
minds of the legislators, the Committee
on State University are having printed
about 1000 pages of testimony taken
during their investigation just closed.
Each member will be furnished with q
copy and will be expected to read it
through in orderto vote intelligently upon
the report rendered by the committee, etc.
If the Legislative hops" and other
evening entertainments depending upon
the members to any extent for patronage,
experience falling off in attendance, the
managers may remember that Legislators
are industriously porting over that inter-
esting testimony. Its shadow will go with
them by day and haunt their dreams dur
! ing the "wee sma' hours.
The minority report of the Committee
on Railroads, relative to taxation OF the
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, was
rendered by Representative Turner, of
Ingham, Tuesday. Mr.. Turner dissents
from the majority report in several very
important particulars. He does not be-
lieve the road should be assessed as a
continuity, including all its branches. He
maintains that no part of the actual
" trunk line" lies within the State,
and further that the State is bound by a
contract to accord to the company GER
tain privileges, among which is the con-
dition that the specific taxes on the road
shall be assessed ON the actual capital
and loans invested, and not in proportion
to the real paying value of the property.
He claims that the Legislature has no
constitutional power to amend the orig
inal contract.
The Committee on State Affairs have
reported unfavorably on bill TO estab-
lish an institute for the education and
employment of erring and destitute girls
The object of this bill was good
one, and / think the committee should
have reported it favorably, or at
least so as to place it before the Legisla-
lture for discussion. An appropriation
for the establishment of such an institu-
ton would be money well invested, and
even during the present hard times it
would not be considered improvident if
iudicious care is exercised III passing the
other appropriations Michigan is proud
of her many splendid State institutions,
but the class of unfortunates above re-
ferred to is entirely neglected.
One of those very formal occasions
known as Il "joint convention was in
dulged in by the Legislature,
Thursday afternoon TO take ac-
ton upon the nominations made
! by the Governor To fill vacancies on his
official staff military and on the Board
of Control of the Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. The
nominations were confirmed, as follows
Adiutant General, John Robertson, OF
Detroit Quartermaster General, ;. >.
Mathews, of Pontiac Inspector Gen
eral, l.. w. Heath, of Grand Rapids.
Trustees for Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind, Chas. G.. johnson,
OF Monroe, and j. vi. Nesmith, of Kali
amazoo.
Several thousand more of Michigan S
hOnored citizens were made happy by
appointments us Notaries Public yester-
day. Every man who can furnish GER
titicate of good character may enjoy the
benefit and reap all the rewards of fame
pertaining to this popular Office.
The Republican State Convention,
which met at the opera house Wednes-
day, was the largest State convention
ever held here. There were nearly GOO
delegates in attendance. The conven-
ton instructed their State Central Com
mittee to call the next State convention
on the same basis of representation.
The sudden change from mild spring
to severe winter weather makes it rather
unpleasant for visitors at the capital.
though the splendid sleighing will be
enjoyed should it continue for a few
days.
Prof. McGraw, of Detroit, Thursday
evening enlightened the Legislature and
others making up an audience in Legisla-
tive Hall, on the principles OF
Heredity," its special application being
with reference to two bills before the
Legislature, one known as the "Cousin
bill, f" and the other intended to prevent
early marriages. The lecture received
many compliments as an able scientific
production.
Legislative Proceedings.
WEDNESDAY, March. DISSEMINATION Senate