Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-06-13
THE STATE.
LIBEL BILL PASSED.
Gov. Luce Sends a Message to the
Leg Stature.
LecIsintIyn Notes.


Leg stature.
Legislative Notes.
The Governor sent the following com
munication to the legislature the other
afternoon:
TO the hon }rable senate and the house of
representatives / avail myself OF this the
first opportunity when both houses are in
session, To call your attention, and through
you tho attention of the people of this gen
erous state, 10 the unparalleled calamity
which has bclallen the people of Johns
town, Pa.
The afflicted ones cry aloud, not only for
human sympathy, bat for material aid to
relieve the wants and distre IS of those who
have in a moment been ROBBED OF their all.
The public journals have 80 eloluently
and pathetically described the existing con
diti0ns that | need not rec.te them here.
But | urge upon you the ado tion Of wise
and judicious methods TO aid in contrbut-
ing TO the relief of that stricken people,
either by direct appropriation or by
general appeal to the generosity Of the hu-
name citi ems of this commonwealth.
Your early consideration Of this subject
is earnestly invoked.
(Signed.) CYRUS G.. LUCE.
Governor.
The libel bill passed by tho house was
reconsidered the next day, and referred to
the house judiciary committee.
The appointment of O. c. Hopkins as
warC,an of the new prison at Marquette has
been confirmed by the senate.
The house has passed the bill to establish
the township system of schools in place Of
the district system.
The house has rejected the amended
Damon liquor bill Only one vote was cast
in favor of the bill.
The libel bill prepared by the Michigan
Press association came up in the house the
other afternoon, and after an earnest dis
cussion was passed by a VOC of % TO 80.
The bill as passed is as follows:
Section /. The peope Of the state of
Michigan enact, That in actions for libel
there shall be no presumption OF express
malice from the mere fact of the libel, and
in actions for libel, If there Is no proof of
express malice then no exemplary of posi-
tive damages shall be awarded; before
bringing SUIT, the plaintiff shall give notice
20 the defendant TO publish retraction of
the liLel ami allow the defendant reason
able ,!me in which to publish such retrac.
ton and make such amends rs are reason
abe and possible under the circumstances
OF the case; and proof OF tie publicat on of
any such rotraCtiOn or correction shall be
issue of the question Of the good faith OF
tho defendant and in mitigation and reduc
ton OF damages.
The senate has passed in committee of
the whole the university appropriation bill.
An effort to restore the item of $4,000 for
gymnasium failed.
The house, by vote of ~ TO /, has refus-
cd 10 concur in the senate amendments 10
the Damon liquor bill and conference
committee will Ge appointed. The house
majority will accept the 500 license clause,
but rejects the lowering of the manufactur-
ers tax and the striking out of the drug
gisis' restrictions
Representative Ferguson bill, requiring
railroads 10 maintain gates or display sig
nails at highway crossings where the view
OF the track is OBJ structed. was defeated on
final passage in the house.
Representative Watson's kindergarten
bill was defeated in the house.
The house has passed resolution author
izing the state auditors 10 pay $1,000 for a
portrait of DR.. Hough on the gcologist,
which was ordered 10 years ago and has
since been hanging in representative hall,
but has not been pad for.