The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-01-15
The governors Messages.

ing and outgoing governors of Michigan,
and promptly at the appointed time the two
houses assembled in joint convention, in
Representative Hall, Lieut.. Gov. Buttars
presiding, to listen TO the exaugural of Gov.
Begole and the inaugural of Gov. Alger.
Gov. Begole's message, while open TO the
criticism of being too long and verbose, was,
on the whole, an interesting state paper, and
will compare very favorably with like docu-
ments presented by his able predecessors
Hiscomments on our educational charitable
and reformatory institutions contain many
valuable suggestions although, when speak
ing of our common school system, he reter-
ates some of the crude and impracticable
ideas that were advanced in his inaugural of
two years since. His suggestions concern
ing a state school and asylum for idiots,
imbeciles and the Predetermined, are well
worthy of consideration. His criticisms
concerning the prisons of the state may be,
and probably are, merited in some degree,
but his assertion that most of our circuit
Judges use no discretion in the matter of sem
fencing prisoners will hardly be concurred in
by the people generally, who will be quite
apt to think q greater degree of discretion
has been used by the circuit judges in inn
posing sentences, than has been exercised by
Mr. Begole in setting such sentences aside
and releasing convicts from confinement.
He calls attention to the fact that there is
no provision in the present tax law for the
sale of lands for delinquent drainage taxes,
and makes a recommendation, worthy of no.
tice, that time should be given for the
redemption of delinquent tax land by pay
ing the taxes and sufficient sum to remun-
crate the purchaser of lands sold for
such taxes. He also recommends that the
rate of taxation on insurance companies
be reduced so as to merely cover the expense
Of maintaining the insurance department Of
the state which, in view of the fact that such
taxation is eventually paid by the policy
holder, is good suggestion.
His recommendation that the Legislative
term be increased to four years, one half of
the members to be elected at each biennial
election is also good one.
His statement that the present beggarly
salaries paid to our state officers is disgrace
to the state will be concurred in by large
number of his fellow citizens, although, in
view of past attempts to increase such sala-
ries, it is quite doubtful if constitutional
amendment to that effect would meet with
the approval of the people.
He enters into full explanation of the
matter of his connection with Friend
Palmer in the collection of the claim of our
state against the general government, and,
although il is very evident that Mr.. Palmer
played the part of Shylock in the transac-
ton, it is difficult to see how the governor could
well have pursued any other or different
course in the matter. His suggestion in re-
gard to the prevention of contagious diseases
among cattle, and with reference 10 sanitary
measures to be taken, in view of the danger
that cholera msy visit our state, are valuable
and well worthy of attention.
The inaugural of Gov Alger is a model of
brevity, conciseness and clearness of ex-
preston, and gives promise of a successful,
business-like administration, and fully
iustifes the wisdom of the republican party
in selecting him for the high and honorable
position of chief executive of the state. He
concurs with Gov. Begole in stating that the
finances of the state are in an admirable con-
dition, and makes numerous important and
valuable recommendations In regard to the
educational, penal and charitable institutions
of the state
Both the retiring and the incoming COVER
nor's take a square and manly stand or the
question of submittinga prohibitory amend
ment to the constitution and earnestly rec
ommend such action, but there is little or no
probability that the necessary two thirds vote
can be secured for such a measure, thanks TO
the prohibitionists who cast their votes for
men whom they knew could not be elected,
and thus secured the defeat Of friends of
submission in various parts of the state.
On the question of soldiers bounties, each
message recommends Legislative action.
There are large number of soldiers whose
state bounties were stolen from them by
means of forged papers, while they were
fighting the battles of their country, and, in
the language of Gov. Begole "rigid investiga-
ton should be made and if wrong has been
done to the soldier, his widow or children,
the state should at once right the wrong"
Both governors speak in terms of COM
mendation of the state military organiza-