The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-02-28
FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
LANSING, Feb. %, 1879.
THE CHANDLER RECEPTION.

Zachariah Chandler, having been
elected United States Senator last
Tuesday, gave reception that evening
at the Lansing House in this city. The
reception took place in the large parlors
of the capitals principal hotel. They
were crowded until 2 o'clock a. m. The
Senator was assisted in the reception by
Gov. Croswell, Mrs. Senator Conant, Of
Monroe, and Mrs. Senator Robbins, of
Adrian. Among those present were
many ladies and prominent Republicans
from all over the State. A banquet
was spread in the large dining
hall, and more than 800 people
were served at the tables. The fact
should be put on record that no liCatOrs
acere serUed. About midnight dancing
commenced, lasting for two hours. Mr..
Chandler left Lansing the next morn
ing for Detroit, and from thence to
Washington. Although 66 years of
age, Mr.. Chandler is a man of remark
able physical vigor and endurance.
Whatever any one may think Of his
political views, he is certainly a marked
mana person of tireless energy, great
executive ability and long experience
III public life. In person he is tall,
large-framed man, but not fleshy. His
looks indicate great powers of endur-
ance.
NUMBER OF BILLS INTRODUCED.
Last Wednesday-the fiftieth day of
the session-was the last day for the
introduction of bills. In the Senate
lc ,p+r -,
the House 726, making grand total of
1859. Anything like intelligent action
upon this large array Of bills WILL of
course, necessitate long session of the
Legislature. Those who have carefully
watched the daily proceedings must
have been struck with the want of orig
inal Legislation. Nearly all the bills in
troduced are to amend some former leg
islation. Thus the Legislative ball is
kept rolling at each session. Two years
hence, / suppose the legislation of 1879
will be largely amended. Whether the
present session proves to be long or
short one, very many of the bills intro
duced will never become laws and
many of them never ought to.
THE STATE PoMoL0GICAL MEETING,
this week, in the Capitol, was a success,
bringing out about fifty prominent
fruit-growers from all parts of the State.
Some interesting discussions took
place. A fine display of winter apples
attracted much attention. There is no
better fruit-growing State than Michi
gan. Our fine apples, luscious peaches,
pears and grapes attest this fact most
fully. The disease known as the yellows
among our peach trees, however, threat
ems to do fruit-growers much damage.
The matter is being thoroughly dis
cussed through the public press Of the
State.
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
BY invitation, DR.. Henry A. Reynolds,
of Maine, the great temperance apostle,
and founder of the Red Ribbon organ
ization, addressed the members of the
Legislature and others, on the subject
of temperance, in the Hall of the House
of Representatives, last Saturday even
ing. A large audience greeted the doc
tor After music, and prayer by the
Rev Mr.. JOY, of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, DR.. Reynolds was intro
duced, and spoke for fifty minutes,
being followed by Robert f. Frazer, of
Ann Arbor, in a spirited and eloquent
speech. DR.. Reynolds gave his views of
the liquor traffic, stating that in prin-
ciple he was prohibitionist. He was
severe in his structures upon any tax
law legislation in connection with the
liquor traffic. He claimed, and gave
facts and figures to prove his assertions,
that the so called Maine law was great
blessing to the people of that State.
He argued that the removal of the
mptation-strong drink-was great
bar against public drinking. He
thought when the Michigan Legislature
abolished the prohibitory law and en-
acted tax law, some years ago, long
stride was taken in the wrong direction.
If it is not possible to have the
rhoie temperance prohibition
DR.. Reynolds is in favor of local
OptiOn tap. Under such a law, he
thinks, in many places in Michigan,
where a strong temperance sentiment
prevails, no liquors could or would be
sold. DR.. Reynolds visit to Lansing
has done much good. His radical views
have strengthened the faith of many of
the timid members. The "signs of the
times" are more hopeful. Senator
Childs, an influential and practical
man, is an out-and-out prohibitonist. A
Legislative temperance society, after the
order of the Congressional society, has
been organized, being composed, up to
this time, of about forty members.
ABOLISH THE FEE SYSTEM.
Representative Parker, of Macomb
county, has introduced bill to abolish
the fee system and pay officers salaries.
Every honest and thoughtful man in
the State will hope that this bill, or
similar one, may become law. 1t is
high time that the whole loose, expen-
sive and corrupt system Of fees was
abolished
UNIVERSITY MATTERS.
BY invitation, DIR. Charles Rynd, of
Adrian. one Of the Regents, will speak
upon University matters i'll Representa-
tive Hall, on Wednesday evening, Feb.
26. Matters at the University, as many