The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-01-14

5000 - <ho ftunate In one respect 10
hss nct prass sns sa, ss sDe nat pfDi y
mailing provision or the education OF the fee.
bIe-minded. The tves Of many Of these may be
and s of SSrS Sssa upon hrs sSsn
friends and society. No large or expensive
buildings should be erected. Plain, substantial
cottages will answer all required purposes The
subject is commended To your careful delibern-
tion.
THE HOME FOR DISCHARGED PRISONERS.
I'm Detroit, for which annual appropria-
tion OF 81 900 is made, 10 doing much for the men
who go out from our prisons, during the most
critical hours OF their lives. / repeat what was
said two years ago, that IL should never be made
a'state institution, but little aid 10 OF great
benefit.
In 1889 what is known as the graded-fare bill
passed the Legislature The railroads to which
Il applied refused TO comply with its provisions,
and a case was brought IN the supreme Court TO
test the constitutionality OF the law and its
great satisfaction that we are en-
abled to point To the fact that during
the last four years there has not been a collision
between passenger trains on any OF the roads
in tho State. Nor has n culvert or railroad
bridge gone down under a passing train during
the same period. While valuable individual
spared the shock caused by wholesale slaugh-
ter of passengers by falling bridges burning
cars or collision OF trains.
STATE TROOPS
Our people are properly opposed 20 mainta tain
ing a large standing army in this country But
the nucleus OF n military force and military
education has been found necessary in all civil
lied countries and in obedience TO this demand
Michigan, I'm common with other States, main
tains n military force. For its maintenance
three and one-half cents per capita OF our
population is appropriated And IL is
with especial pride and satisfaction that
1 call your attention TO the fact
that our State troops are in splendid condition.
Each State encampment has been an improve
ment upon its predecessor. We have held an
nual encampments for four years, and the troops
are better equipped aud better clothed than ever
before
TAXATION.
This involves questions that come home TO
all of our citizens. Universal education, the
humane features OF our present civilization, and
possibly an ambition for something like luxury,
make upon the taxpayers constantly increas-
No new State institutions have been estab-
lished during the last four years. But the
Legislature of 1885 established three and two
of these have been paid for. and almost entirely
during that time; ant large additions have
been made TO nearly all OF the State institu-
TONS And. while for four years there has been
no increase in State taxation, yet for ten years
there has been n tendency in that direction, not
only in this State but in others.
Since the adoption OF the free school system
and the construction OF costly school houses and
the employment OF higher priced teachers the
aggregate of school taxes is very large, amount
ing TO nearly or quite 90 per cent OF the total
taxation. And while no one will desire TO impair
the usefulness or efficiency OF the school in city
or country, it has seemed not improper TO refer
here to the large revenue required TO defray the
expenses. But no amendments TO the school
law should be made that will add to the expen-
ses without strong assurance that improved
methods will be secured thereby.
A graded income tax is advocated by some
who seek to relieve property from the burdens
of taxation. The suggestion is worthy of con-
sideration. The law, as well as its execution,
should require all property TO contribute its
just share towards the support of government
and its own protection. And no greater amount
should be collected from the people than is re-
quired for the wise and economical admins
tration Of public affairs
CONCLUSION.
Michigan is noble State it stands in the
front rank of the sisterhood Of States. 1t has a
sturdy, intelligent, patriotic population. Its
school system is unsurpassed; and 1t is i trust
with pardonable pride that / here and now
refer 20 the fact that in competition with
the educational systems OF the whole world,
submitted To n commission in Melbourne,
Australia, Michigan bore away the laurols and
received the first award of merit. And this
fact and others should admOnish us to be very
careful about making n radical change in sys-
tenn that stands so high.
Gentlemen, you represent proud, intelligent
and patriotic State. Her destiny is 10 some
extent for the time being placed in your
hands. l know Chat you are actuated
by an earnest, honest desire to serve
well her interests and institutions, and l trust
that the laws that will emanate from you and
that receive the approval of my successor, will
aid her people in holding high the banner they
SO proudly carry. CiR 5 q. LUCE