Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-02-12

Wnen the senate met last Monday even
ing good working majority was on han
and good evenings work was done; bu
when the House met at $3.50 p. m. (rather a
unreasonable hour the roll call showed onl
forty-nine members present, and no bust
meas was in order.
THE GENERAL TAX LAW.
AS before stated, the general tax law
drawn by the Special Tax Commissioner
and passed by the Legislature in extra SEES
sion In 1882, has proven defective in man,
respects, while the Supreme Court is event,
divided as to its constitutionality. In view
OF these facts, il has been self -eyident fo
a year or two that the Legislature, wher
Il met again, would be expected L
thoroughly overhaul the Jaw. Tt
that end special Joint com.
mlttee or three Senators and five Repre-.
senatives was ordered some days ago, tc
whom all matters pertaining to the subject
| should be referred. That committee has
been appointed and consists of Senators
Hubbell, G.. A. Smith, and Pulver. and
Representatives Campbell, Post, Coomer.
Hankerd, and Ford. They have Organized
by electing Senator Hubbell MS Chairman
OF the joint committee and appointing Mark
M. Powers, GRIND Rapids lawyer as clerk.
While many members of both houses have
introduced bills to amend the law in GER
tain sections to fit particular cases that have
come under their personal observation,
Senator George A. Smith, of Hillsdmle, has
been preparing bill for general and
sweeping amendment of the entire law. and
one that shall provide for the payment of
taxes semi-annually, as recommended by
Gov. Alger in his inaugural message. The
bill was introduced Friday evening and pro-
vides for the amendment of thirty-nine
sections OF the law entitled AN act to pro-
vide for the assessment of property
and the levy and collection Of
taxes thereon" The feature alluded to
above provides that taxes on all personal
property must be paid in December and
January as now, and that the entire tax on
real estate may be paid then if desired, but
that II the tax payers so wish, one-haf the
latter may be paid then and the other half
In June. While the payments made in the
months first named will come under the
Sper cent. for collection fees, as at pres
ent, If the real-estate tax (the first half is
allowed for any reason to go over to June
the victim must then pay fee of 10 per
cent. Doubtless many in the State win
prefer to pay all up for the year at one time,
but there are more who will be glad of the
opportunity of making two bites of the un-
welcome cherry. Tax-collectors are I'M
Welcome visitors at best, but, like death,
is in force in Ohio, and has been for wears.
and is said to work satisfactorily.
MICHIGAN SEMI CENTENNIAL.
Michigan will soon be half a century old.
having been formally admitted into the
Union as State on the 26th dav of jan
uary, 1887. The fact Of the near approach
OF the semi centennial and OF the fitness of
. suitable celebration of the event was. ON
Jan. ~, brought to the notice Of the Legis-
Iature by Hon. Henry Chamberlain, of
berrien, In the following memorial:
TO the Honorable the Senate and House Of Rep-
resentauves OF the State Of Michigan
The undersigned would respectfully call
he attention of the honorable the Ieois-
alton of the State of Michigan TO the fact
hat the semi of the formal de-
,laration that Michigan was one of the
states Of the Union will occur on the Goth
lay OF January, 1887.
Your memorialist would further represent
hat it is the wish of many citizens of this
state that the event should be celebrated in
proper manner becoming the people of a
line from iT4,U00 to 2,uUU, UUu or people.
Your memorialist would suggest that a |
altering at the State capital on the 26th |
lay OF January, 1887, of all the persons |
hen living who have served the State as
Governors, Senators, Representatives, or
'tate ofhcers might be made an occasion
I great interest, and might be the means
I reviving incidents in the history of our
tate and perpetuating in the minds of
ur children valuable lessons.
Your memorialist would respectfully re-
uest that your honorable bodies appoint
pint committee of the two houses to take
his matter into consideration.
HENRY CHAMBERLAIN.
THREE OAKS, Mich, Jan. 20, 1886.
In accordance with the memorial Sena-
RS Sherwood, Woodruff and Moon have
cen appointed as members of the Joint
'mmittee, while Speaker Clark has not
e announced the members on the
lrt OF the House. 1t is expected that
WANT AN INVESTIGATION.
The Detroit papers having for several
eeks charged gross frauds and incom-
'tR2ty 9,eaheOP 79uesr6n mas peen ffYoyed
ask the Legislature to appoint special
mmittee Of three to investigate such
arges. Up to this date the question has
EN- considerably discussed, but no definite
ton has been taken on the proposition.
HUNTING DEER WITH DOGS.
After the attempt has been made for
ars, and failed each session, to pass
bill to prohibit the hunting of deer
tn dogs. il remains for Representa- !
Q Ester, of Isabella, to succeed lat least
far as the House is concerned). his bin I
ing through the House Friday by the
usual vote of "a yeas to 8 nays. It is q
ped that the bill will go through the :
nate as easily, because II the wholesale Q
lighter OF these animals is not stopped in =
ne way, the time is not far distant when /,
Ut race Will become extinct in Michi-
SENATOR HENRY SEATED. II
The Committee on the Judiciary mads a
report on the 30th on the McNamara- n
nry contest from the goth district. IT II II
k precisely similar ground to those taken d
The kirby-Lovell case in 1884, and de- 81
red that although Mr. Henry was a ~
lnty officer at the time of the election in ~
vember, his term expired before his term m
Senator began Jan. z, and therefore W
that he be allowed 10 retain 50 50
seat The fusion members of the COM m m
tee made a minority report against th
nry, but after long arguments on both In
IS Mr.. Henry was declared entitled to t ~
seat by q strong party vote, yeas, Is, Fl
8, III, the Republicans sustaining Mr.. Ia
Try. wi
LONG RECESS. s sI
Vtn houses auJouIneu friday evening to cri
. 10, at 10 q. M, to allow committees to on
the several State institutions. up
CHOKE EN- OFF, ter
9th houses passed q bill prohibiting an an
Ices OF the Peace from sentencing t tn''
oners convicted as DRINKS or vagrants sec
ne State House of Correction at Ionia, niz
ordered the hill In taka offoot Tot 40 gar
$500 80 I...,: ~ nv enoo. ceD. ~. bui
Pv"e, VI Vusuces 70 send prisoners to gee
q mas been abused to enable officers to cri,
' fat fees from the State md n xvog ass
, This tb;no sbouId ho I,o,..-s ,r. so hea