The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-06-24

laughter. Anecdotes were related or men,
bers of different Legislatures.
Volunteer speeches being in order, Rep.
! resentative McNab, of Newaygo, was called
ont. He began by extolling the pine-clad
hills of Newaygo, its babbling brooks and
ift-rolling rivers. declaring that while he
loved Michigan, the center of his affections
was devoted 10 his own county He had
come to renew old acquaintances and to en-
| JOY himself with the boys, and was not pre-
pared for speech. Proceeding then to
discourse of Detroit, its beautiful river and
| crystal waters, and tho obstinacy OF Its
Representatives, the laughter became so
great as to interrupt the speaker, and he
sat down, leaving his remarks unfinished.
Ex- Congressman Horr was next called
upon, and the rules were suspended be-
cause he objected that not being member
he could not speak He continued, how
ever, in an entertaining vein to contrast
Michigan audience with a Massachusetts
one, and to descant upon the appearance
of the members before him, declaring that
If Michigan had got along for fifty years
with such countenances as were before him
there was hope that she would continue 10
survive to the last. He eulogized the labors
of the Legislators, and described the pleas
ure that the reunion had given him.
Senator Conger spoke for ten minutes
pleasantly of the pride and qualification
which this reunion of old friends had at
forded him, and related an anecdote of the
tendencies of the Senate of '65 to amend
the bills of the House, with the result
which it had upon stalwart Representa-
tive.
Senator Palmer followed in brief
speech, saying that the happiest half year
of his life was pa .sed in the legislative ses-
sion at Lansing, and recalling incidents of
that session.
At the second days session Ex-Governor
Blair, one of the four great war Governors,
made an address on Michigan in the war.
The Governor paid tributes to the memory
of General Israel b. Richardson, of Pom
tiac, and General Woodbury., of Adrian.
The Fourth Regiment was also praised as
having met every requirement. The Sew
enth it was that fixed the pontoons mt Fred
ericksburg, n service which the Governor
did not which TO forget.
Let me assure you, my friends" the,
Governor said, in conclusion, That so we'll
have our soldiers done their great work
that never again in our time, nor in that OF
our children, shall We be menaced sby the
cruelties OF civil war. Too vast indeed is
this victory, too far-reaching are its conse-
quences to be properly estimated or too
much honored. AS said Lincoln at Gettys-
burg: 1t is not what we say here, but what
they did here that will live hereafter. And
so say i "
Hon. Edwin Willis delivered lengthy
address on Michigan Schools and Col
leges." Mr.. Willis reviewed the early
school-fund laws, showing how Michigan's
were superior to those several neighboring
States, and. as n result, how il is that we
are so we'll founded in this respect o-day.
Isaac n. Crary and John ID. Pierce have
performed n noble work for the schools of
the State. The rise of our present school
system, from the log school to the Uniyer-
sity dome, and its statue of Benjamin
Franklin I'm the front yard. was we'll traced.
President Willis paid such glowing
apostrophe to the old log school and its
red-cheeked maidens and freckled-faced
boys that many ladies were tempted to cry,
but instead vociferously applauded.
Ex- Representative Koen made few re-
marks on early education, stating that in
1874 two of the three members of the
Legislative Committee on Education were
too conservative to do much, thinking the
country was too new. He was the third
member but couldn't do anything alone.
w. l.. Bancroft was called to tell some
thing of old-fashioned railroading, but did
not respond.
Mr.. Bnos Goodrich, member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1850, arose
and said, referring again to early educa-
| ton, that he, ut that time, believed the
! children belonged to the State, and should
! be educated at State expense, and that the
conservatism spoken of by Mr.. Koon was
only too manifest.
EX-SENATOR SIMEON r. BILLINGS
told of his first speech and how proud he
felt when he got into the press as having
given "the eagles tail twist" When he was
young he envied Congressman because they
could frank all their mail. using no postage
stamps, but simply writing M. c." in the
corner. That feeling has now passed
away. Applause.
Mr.. Enos Goodrich, the member Of 1850,
again arose, speaking of the uncertainties
of life and the liability of q persons being
visited by the grim destroyer any time,
wherefore he counselled preparation for
the end.
J. J. wooDMAN
spoke feelingly of the Legislature Of 1861,
TO whose work is due the stable and sue
cessful financial policy of our State. He
wished to speak specially of the Chairmen
of the respective Finance Committees. J.
+. Joy, of the House, and II. p. Baldwin,
of the Senate, who, among others, favored
not the issuing or bonds and contracting oil
loans but present payment of expenses
"Pay as you go and do not tax posterity,
Mr.. Woodman considered the true basis OF
financial prosperity, and which, as far as he
knew, had been inaugurated by his OLD
love, the Legislature of 1861.
Ex-senator James Birney, of Bay City
returned to the educational question, espe-
cially favoring the apprentice system
which, while part of the Prussian system
we initiate, seems to be overlooked al
present.
Ex-senator Charles T. Gorham, of Mar.
SHALL desired it to lie known that the tree
under which the two gentlemen alluded e
in Mr.. Willis paper as having done grea
service for the educational system of tn,
Stae. sat, is still standing and can be seer
any day in Marshall, where it is held as
relic.
The fate of the first bill for uniform
militia was rehearsed, as was also the vicis
situdes of early elections, with annecdotet
of members.
REPRESENTATIVES, o. ". CASE,
of Detroit, expressed his great pleasure a
the privilege of meeting the fathers of tn,
State. He also hoped the Legislative re
union would be held yearly.
Ex- Representative Chas. p. ParkhiN, o
Shiawassee, declared that he had heater
| h. h.