Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-03
THE WOLVERINE STATE.

from the heating apparatus.
THE WOLVERINE STATE.
The First Message of the New Governor Of
Michigan = The Railroad Interests -
Reaching Out for the Trade of Minnesota.
| LANSING, Mich, Jan. Pin the house
this evening petition was presented for q
memorial to Congress for the improvement
of Mackinac harbor. Gov. Crosswells
message was read at P. NJ In the opening
he refers to the fact of this being the first
Legislature to assemble in the new capitol,
the completion of which reflects the progress
made In our social and political condition,
and he trusts the deliberations therein NAV
conduce to the welfare of all. The condition
of the State treasury is referred to with sat
isfaction. Regarding the railroads travers-
ing the State the Governor says that the
rights and privileges granted by preceding
| legislatures should not be uniustly or
unnecessarily interfered with, but the inter-
rest of the public should still be protected,
Mature consideration should be given to
the matter of local rates. Losses on COM
petitive through traffic should not be per-
mltted to be made up on local rates to the
ducers. Railroad corporations in the State
have been organized as common carriers, and
| the suggestion is made whether it is not de-
sirable to prohibit by law any agent or SER
want of railroad company from business
competition in merchandise to be trans
ported over its road, and to provide
against discrimination in favor Of
| individuals. The attention of the leg
islature is called to the attempt
being made by the railroad commissioners
of the various States to secure a uniform
system of railroad bookkeeping in aid of
the authenticity and value of returns made
to commissioners, and the suggestion is
made that our law in this regard be so mod
lied as to authorize our commissioner of
railroads to carry out the action of the COM
missioners' convention, held at Columbus.
O., on the 18th of last November. Touching
upon Slate aid in the construc-
ton of the Mackinac & Marquette
with the importance of more intimately
connecting the upper and lower peninsulas
by railway communication, the Legislature
of 1875 reserved from sale 1,326,965 acres
of land to be given to any company who
would construct a continuous line of railway
from the straits of Mackinac to the city of
Marquette, and at various times responsible
parties seemed about to take hold of the
enterprise and push it, but the commercial
depression is probably to be blamed for the
fact that blow has not yet been struck.
The time for the completion of the road is
now fixed for December 81, 1879, but there
is no reasonable probability that the last
parties who took hold of the matter will
accomplish the work. The road is an urgent
necessity, not only to facilitate trade with the
rich mining regions of the upper peninsula,
but for the securing to our people fair
share of the trade of the immense grain pro-
ducing section penetrated for hundreds of
miles by the Northern Pacific railroad. But,
important as the demand is for the M. & M.
road, the Withholding from market of the
lands of certain localities is retarding the
settlement and preventing the development
of that portion OF our State. Portions of
the grant are heavily t:mbered,
and other parts are said to be val
liable for agricultural and mineral
purposes. The lands should not be diverted
from the purpose for which reserved, but if
it be found necessary to open them to sale,
it should be on condition that the proceeds
of the sale be paid into the treasury and set
apart as fund to be applied in aid of the
enterprise For which the lands were appro-
priated." He refers to and renews the
recommendation of his predecessor that pro-
vision be made for a more careful examina-
ton and scrutiny of the savings banks of
the State, and says that owing to the fact
that money can now be obtained on good
security at and per cent, and
that real property in the State has now
no uncertain value. the provision authorizing
contracts at 10 per cent. interest should be
repealed and the maximum rate of interest
throughout the State be limited to per
cent. Touching upon the mater of the fees
of public officers the Governor thinks that
while every official should have fair allow
ance for his services, it is neither just or
proper that extravaganza perquisites should
be given for merely clerical services, requir-
ing neit1er extraordinary SKILL learning OF
| ability. Regarding fish culture, he states
that the commissioners claim that the work
of Matching and transplanting fish has proved
I a success. The protecting Office is an
important matter, and earnest exer.
, tions should be made to have Congress
!, adopt uniform regulation to prevent thei1
! wanton destruction. Referring to the rail
. road strike and the military, the Governor
. says the benefit of State militia was real
/ lied to some extent during the prevalence o
: a spirit of violence and disorder in July
nj 1877. He recites the troubles of that time
It and while he does not recommend an increas
n of the State military, he does Recommend
i, measures to add to the efficiency of the ex
It listing force. He finally states that the Gov
l. ernor of the State should reside at the CAPT
q tai, and that the State should furnish resi-
dence for him in keeping with the characte
of the new capitol, and for that end make
suitable recommendations. At P. NJ. th
legislature adjourned until next tuesday,