The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-03-02
THE STATE CAPITAL.
LANSING. Feb. 26. 1877.

nliOWeo lOr Tic lutiouucbioh vi Difls, has
passed. and the Legislature has before it
nearly 200 bills and joint resolutions to
dispose of. This marks out a probable
limit of the session some time in May.
The bills cover all sorts of subjects,
from the preservation of muskrats," to
the repeal of railroad charters.
The lobby, in the meantime, has been
unusually large-the "third house. be-
ing the most numerous of the three. In
consequence of the presence of an I'M
usual number of strangers in the city,
Lansing has an unwonted appearance of
life and activity. Especially was this
the case Thursday, which was
made gala day by the parade of the
Reform Club" the review of the mill
tary companies, and the memorial exer-
cises of the Legislature.
The procession of the Temperance
Reform Club was an immense affair.
Several thousands of people joined in the
parade. 1t is evident that the new tenn
perance movement is sweeping the State
as no other reform ever did. If it shall
result i'll creating and sustaining
healthy public sentiment, it will be bet
ter than all tine prohibitory liquor laws
ever passed In this or any other State.
Red ribbons and white ribbons are be-
coming very fashionable, and L hope
they will continue to be so. There can
be no denial of the fact that the curse of
drunkenness is one of the greatest evils
with which our country has ever been
afflicted.
After working faithfully during the
forenoon of Thursday, the Legislature
awoke to a realization of the fact that it
would be very proper to observe the day
as holiday, so they voted to meet in
joint convention, at y o'clock in the
evening and indulge in commemorative
exercises appropriate to the occasion.
Pursuant to such arrangement the Joint
convention met in Representative Hall
at the time named, there being present
by invitation the State officers and very
large number of other visitors. The
meeting was called to order and presided
over by Gov. Crosswell, the Lieutenant
Governor and the Speaker of the House
being seated at his right and left, respect
lively. Appropriate religious exercises
were conducted by Rev. Mr.. Bangs, Pre-
siding Elder of the Lansing District, M.
Il. Church.
This was followed bya brief, but very
speech from Gov. Crosswell
Mr.. Flowers, of Detsoit, sang the
" Star Spangled Banner" the audience
joining heartily in the chorus and maxi
ing the old hall ring with patriotic
echoes.
Washington Farewell Address was read
by Mr.. Stone, Secretary of the Senate
Mr.. Stones clear voice and admirable
rhetoric lent new charms to the immortal
words of the first President of the great
republic. The warning against the evils
of party politics seemed to. make deep
80 pertinent was it to the
troubles under which our country is now
laboring.
The sentiment" The Father of His
Country" was responded Go. by Senator
w. I. Baxter, of Hillsdale,. who paid
splendid tribute to the noble character
of the great patriot, the anniversary of
whose natal day the exercises were to
commemorate. The sentiment was
further responded to by representative
HAMILTON, of Berrien county.
After the singing of America BIZ
the audience, the sentiment"
Country, One and Inseparable, was neat
ly and ably responded to, by Senator
Burch and Representative Kelly.
"Our State, the beautiful Peninsula,
was made the subject OF brief but
pointed and patriotic speech from Rep
resentative Mills, of Tuscola. Mr.. Mills
painted a striking picture, Michigan as
it was, and michigan asst is" Hoped
that the progress upon which we have
entered might march on until Michigan
shall be the embodiment of all that is
noble, true and free.
Representative A. j. Sawyer, of Wash
teuaw, responded in his usual happy
style to the toast, "Geo. Washington and
His Little Ratchet"
After few short volunteer speeches
the exercises were closedb the singingo of
"Old Hundred" and benediction bYthe
Rev. Mr.. Bangs.
Among the novel bills before the
House is one requiring the State Mgri-
cultural College to furnish BORNE
rir,ts" for the use of the people of the
entire State. Another requires that ho-
tel-keepers shall supply all sleeping-
rooms in their houses with coils, of inch
rope, one end of which shall be fastened
to the upper part of the room over the
window, so that tie guests may use
it as means of escape in case of fire.
An amendment to, this bin proEides
that the rope shall have knot tied in it
every two feet, so that persons. may stop
to raet while slidinD down The hin also
provides that night watches shall be en-
ployed in all hoteih,over two. stories high.
One of Gen. Pleasonton's disciples wants
a department If Blue-glass-opathy"
established in connection with the State
University.
Besides the above are many others in
troduced to crafty the strange freaks of
individual human nature, rather than in
response to any public demand.
Legislative Proceedings.
WEDNESDAY. Feb. 21.-SENATE---The entira