The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-01-19
THE STATE CAPITAL.


In-comings Governor = Two Contested
SOLICITATIONS Granted-The Senatorial
Question-First Adjournment.
From Our Own Correspondent
LANSING, Jan. o, 1888
Again, in the course of human events and
in compliance with the constitution, the
Legislature of Michigan finds itself just en-
tering upon the duties of another session
the forty third in the history of the State,
and the thirty-second regular. 1t may be
of interest To some to recall the fact that
the first session in Michigan history was
held ut Detroit i'm November, 1885, and that
they were there held until 1S4S, when the
seat of government was moved to the wilds
of Lansing. which has since become beau
tiful city of fine and growing proportions
OF the forty-two previously held thirty-two
have been regular, as Indicated, seventeen
annual and fifteen biennial-the constitu-
ton changing in 1S4S-and eleven special
and extra
CALLED TO ORDER AND MEMBERS SWORN
Promptly at noon of the Sd inst, the two
houses were called To order, the Senate by
Lieut. Gov. Crosby, and the House by Clerk
Crossman, of the last Legislature. In the
Senate. all the members excepting Senator
Phelps were present and sworn in, while in
the House all were present The new
Speaker made only few remarks on enter
ing upon his duties, but President Crosby
spoke rather more ut length in the Senate,
and in the following sensible and manly
words:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE do not pro-
pose, and 1T is hardly my province, to adj
dress you at any length, but 1t may not be
wholly Inappropriate at the commence
ment of the session that should indulge in
few recommendations This seems TO me
the more excusable from the fact that am
not personally acquainted with many Of
you, and this may prove lifting intro
duction.
BY the suffrages of the people we are here
to do trust what shall, in the exercise of
our best Judgment, seem to be for the best
interests of this rapidly growing and highly
prosperous commonwealth Some of us
have been here before, but to the most it
will be new experience. Many or you have
been members of previous Legislatures, and
the knowledge of legislation then acquired,
IL is hoped Will materially aid in this All OF
us, L believe, are here for work, and with the
intention of representing the wish and the
will of constituencies ever watchful, but
especially deserving our best thoughts and
honest votes. There will be differences
upon questions of public policy, but l be-
speak careful consideration of all matters
properly brought before us, and recogni-
ton of the right of the people at home to be
heard
NV own opinion is that, when we have
sworn To faithfully perform the duties of
the offices ITO which we have been elected
according TO the best of our ability, it is
reasonably eXpe cted that we shall lay aside,
not our manhood, but so far as possible,
ourparty mantles and campaign shibboleths,
and enter upon the discharge of our official
trusts rs citizens and patriots.
In brief, that we are representing the
whole people of our various sections, re-
CARELESS of party or creed 1t would he an
honor TO the Senate of this or any State ii it
should so conduct it's business that it would
be difficult TO determination anything
said or done while in Session-to what par
ticular school Of politics any member be-
longs To such high state may we attain !!
While counsel, gentlemen, carefulness, 1
must also remind you that the tendency is
to prolong the sessions unduly beyond the
patience and wish of the people and due
attention of the members themselves
There are surely many interests pressed
upon the attention of both houses whenever
called together, and this increases with our
growth-but | submit that some of them
might either be left out entirely or post
poned perhaps indefinitely. Your wisdom is
invoked TO remedy the evils of very long
sessions, and, if you cannot cure it, TO do
the next best thing, endeaYOr TO.
1t might not prove "A direful calamity il
some laws should be left not amended, or IL
one or more Senators would serve out a full
term without introducing single bill There
is too much rather than too little legislation,
in my Judgment.
Let us do our part toward making this a
short but practical session.
/ congratulate You all upon the prosperity
of our beloved State, and the freedom from
any severe calamity All sections may not
have met with the same degree of success,
but all have shared in the general well be-
ing We are practically free from debt, and
with n surplus and n credit which enables
us 10 continue on in business Every one
has reason to be proud of the position Mich
igan occupies IN the galaxy of States, and II
we shall but maintain our reputation, both
at home and abroad, we shall have done
wisely and well
A kind Providence has given us, as a State,
variety of resources and OF benefits, and in
the gift we should not forget the Giver.
in the selection of the regular committees,
subsequently to be announced, shall do the
best my judgment d ctates, after a care ul
consideration OF both the wishes expressed
to me by every Senator, and all the informa-
ton | have been able TO gather L wish you
all n Happy New Year"
OFFICERS ELECTED.
In the Senate the caucus nominees were
all elected as follows:
Secretary-Edwin S Hoskins, of Gratiot,
reelected
Assistant Secretary-John ID. Sumner, OF
Kalamazoo.
Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk-walter L
Hines OF Berricn.
Assistant Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk
w r. Scudder reelected
Sergeant at Arms-William Crossett, re-
elected
First Assistant Sergeant at-Arms-J. @.
Lumbard
Second Assistant Sergeant at Arms-D. G..
Crotty, of Muskegon
The choice of Mrs Robinson for Postmis-
tress, as well as that of her assistant, Charles
ID. Cowles, was confirmed
In the House, the election resulted as fol
lows:
Speaker-Sumner Howard, of Genesee
Clerk-Daniel l. Crossman, of Detroit, re-
elected
Speaker pro tem.-George H. Hopkins, OF
Wayne.
Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk-will W.
Hannah, reelected
Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk
WIN. H. Marston, of Berrien reelected.
Sergeant at-Arms-William X. Childs OF
Washtenaw, reelected
The usual assistants, janitors and messen.
ger boys have since been appointed, the
usual resolutions for the running of the two
branches of the Legislature adopted, and as
as the committees are named, which viii
likely be done on Tuesday next, the Legisla
ture will be supposed to be in running