The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-03-07

LANSING, March /, 1879.
A GOVERNORS MANSION.


As is well known to most people In
the State, the Governor of Michigan
has never had residence at the capital
1t has been customary for the Governor
to remain in Lansing when the Legis.
lature was in session-an average prob
ably of five months during his term OF
Office. The paltry salary of $1,000 per
annum-about what dry-goods clerk
receives-does not enable the Governor
of Michigan to live like a King. The
salaries of the State officers were fixed
many years ago when our population
was small. OF course they are now too
small and niggardly. In order to en-
able the Governor to live in Lansing, it
has been suggested, and very wisely
l think, that the land upon which
the old Capitol stands, which is quite
valuable, be sold and part of the pro-
ceeds thereof used in erecting u Gov
ernor's mansion. Gov. Croswell, in his
late message, made this suggestion
not for himself, but for his successors
In office for all time to come. A part of
the money realized from the sale of
the land could be used as permanent
fund-at least the interest-to keep the
Governors residence in running order
from year to year. Any candid man.
whatever his politics, it seems to me,
will admit that the Governor of Michi-
gan ought to live at the capital. This
he cannot do on the small salary of
$1,000 per annum. The State of
Michigan ought to pay her Chief Elk
ecutive more and treat him better than
she does a mere clerk in some State
department.
THE INsANE-AsYLUM INVESTIGATION.
The following resolution, offered by
Senator Billings, called ont very
sharp discussion in the Senate last
Wednesday:
Resoived (the House concurring), That the
joint committee of the two houses empowered
to investigate the action of parties having in
charge the Asylum for the Insane, located at
Kalamazoo, be requested to hold their invest-
cation with open doors.
Senators Billings, Farr and Moore
spoke in favor of the adoption of the res
olution, while Huston, Bell, Childs and
others vigorously opposed the same.
The Legislative committees were sent
to Kalamazoo without instructions as to
whether they were to sit with open or
closed doors. The Senators opposed
to the resolution contended that for the
investigating committees to sit with open
doors would thwart the very purpose
for which they were appointed. Again,
after having taken much testimony in
secret, to open the doors to the public
and press at this stage of the investi-
cation would defeat the whole matter.
1t is not likely that the asylum officials
are as black as they have been painted,
but that wrongs have been perpetrated
in the institution there is good reason
to believe. The people of this State
have a vital interest in the great humani-
tartan institution at Kalamazoo, and,
while they do not want to break down
innocent and able men, they do want to
see fair, impartial and searching in
vestigation; and if any or all of the
asylum officials are guilty of misconduct
they hope to see them punished to the
fullest extent of the law. On the other
hand, if everything at the asylum is as
it should be, it is high time that the
damaging reports therefrom should be
heavily "sat down" upon.
UNIVERSITY MATTERS
were ably, eloquently and vigorously
shown up by Regent Charles Rynd, of
Adrian, in the Hall of the House, last
Wednesday evening The learned and
eloquent doctor was greeted by large
and intelligent audience, who listened
to his burning and vigorous words for
one hour and three-quarters. The doc
tor is member of the alumni of twenty
years standing, and for more than seven
years has been a leading Regent of the
University. He spoke of the past, pres
ent and future of the great institution
of learning at Ann Arbor. 1t now num-
bers 1912 students in all the depart
ments and about sixty professors. The
first part of DR.. Rynd's address had ref
erencc to the early struggles of the
University and it's present needs. He
advocated granting the appropriations
asked of the Legislature for University
purposes. He showed what grand
work the institution is doing. The
doctor then proceeded to dis
cuss the Rose-Douglass difficulty,
bitterly denouncing the latter. He
then took up the recent action of the
regents in reinstating DR.. Rose at q
salary of 81 900 per annum, the matter
of absenteeism among the law profess
sors, etc. DIR. Rynd very warmly COM
mended the action of the majority,
while he severely denounced the minor
ity. In closing, he pictured bright
and glowing future for the Michigan
University.
Prof. Kent, of the Law Department,
briefly replied to DIR. Rynds charge of
absenteeism, rather turning the tables
upon the learned doctor.
Prof. rockingham, of the University,
also made few remarks in relation to
the needs of the Medical Department.
THE STATE PRINTING INVESTIGATION.
This matter has occupied much valu-
able time and generated not little i'll
feeling. The committees held four
meetings and took considerable testi-
mony bearing upon the matter. Last
Thursday Senator Shepard, Chairman
of the Senate committee, made ma
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