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

Although no longer discharging he duties or
assuming tho responsibilities of the Executive
Office. j am, by the provisions Of the Constitu-
ton, required TO give you information by mes
sage OF the condition OF the State. and to
ommend surh measures as deemed
expedient, and in discharging this duty shall
confine myself more particularly TO giving 10
you such information ns four years OF close
and intimate relations with the affairs OF state
and its institutions have enabled me TO obtain,
leaving the recommendations largely TO my sue
cessor, who is for the next constitutional term
20 share with you the responsibilities OF the
laws enacted and 10 discharge executive duties.
INDEBTEDNESS.
For some years ample provision has been
made for liquidating the bonded debt, but as
all OF the bonds had not matured they were not
paid up until within the last year. And now,
for the first time In our history, can with
pride declare that the last dollar OF this class
OF indebtedness has been paid the last
bond issued by authority Of the Legs
iature has been cancelled. It is true that the
State is indebted TO the trust funds, consist
ing OF primary school, Normal school, Uni
versity and Agricultural College. This has been
accommodating since the year 1913. Previous TO
that time the superintendent of Pubic In
struction was authorized 20 loan the money
upon real estate security, but through these
loans losses were Incurred and the Logi slature
at that early period provided that the money
should remain in the Treasury and the state
become n debtor TO these various funds That
policy has been continued from that time until
this and every year, through sales OF lands and
payments for lands previously sold, the fund
has increased until now IL 10 over -, 10000,
most of which is drawing interest to the fund
NJ 'ho ih'e oi per ceht'
ELECTIONS.
All patriotic citizens desire To protect the alb
solute purity of elections. Every safeguard
should be thrown around tha voter TO enable
him 20 cast his vote In accordance with his con-
science and Judgment. To aid in accomplishing
this purpose the Legislature OF 1889 passed an
act prescribing the manner OF conducting cleo
tions in this state IL is believed that this law
has been Of value TO the voter. The Supreme
Court has passed upon and confirmed its con-
stitutionality.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
The Legislature OF 1850 passed two very i'm
portant bills relating to the manufacture, taxa
tion, regulation and prohibition OF the business
OF manufacturing, selling or keeping for sale
intoxicating, spirituous or brewed liquors. What
is known as tho local option law has been de-
clared by the Supreme Court constitutional
II furnishes counties who so desire, an oppor-
tunity 20 prohibit the manufacture and sale
within their jurisdiction.
Another law was passed increasing the tax
upon the sale Of malt or brewed liquors from
$500 to 500. making the tax the same as upon
spirituous liquors. mistake was made in en-
rolling the bill, and certain provisions were
omitted from the enrolled bill, and for this rea-
son the entire act was declared constitutional
and urge upon your attention tho propriety OF
re-enacting the provisions that should have
been enrolled in the law OF 1889.
DISCIPLINE IN STATE PRISONS.
Not only the law but the necessities OF the
case require the Syardens OF the State prisons
TO enforce discipline. Convcts are sentenced
20 hard labor, and the wardens are directed TO
enforce the sentences Of the courts and both
the Legislature ana the people require them to
do this in the most humane manner possible
and for the purpose OF enacting this humane
sentiment into the laws of the State, the
Legislature in 1915 prohibited punishment by
showering with cold water. or whipping with Il
lash on the bare body This proyiso WAS en-
acted because the lash frequently left scars
upon the back and l believe IL has been faith
fully observed by all our wardens since its en-
nctment. But it has been construed by war
dens. legislative committees, and by all the
Governors since the enactment OF the law, that
this did not prohibit, on extreme occasions, the
use OF the fiat strap. The instructions given
ha IN he GA AZ
CITY AND VILLAGE CHARTERS.
Much valuable time is given by the Legisla-
ture 60 the granting and amending of city and
village charters. In 1887 there were Is bills
passed for these purposes; in 1889 II bills were
passed desire TO urge upon your attention
the propriety and probability of passing n
general law for the incorporation of cities and
villages aud for amending their charters.
BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.
These have been in active operation in many
States OF the Union for years. They have
proved OF great benefit TO the wage earners in
different States in our OWN as well as in foreign
countries. They are OF more recent origin in
Michigan. In 1887 the Legislature passed an act
authorizing their Incorporation in this state.
In 1889, for the purpose of further encouraging
these associations and for the purpose Of avoid
ing in This case double taxation, act was
pissed eXempting from taxation certificates OF
stock and all mortgages or other securities
held by such associations This was intended
20 apply solely and alone TO the corporations
that were established for the benefit OF those
referred 10. But perhaps because of this ex-
are maintained for the purpose of investment
by capitalists, believing that here good
field where they could safely invest their funds
They are doing something in the nature OF n
banking business with paid up stock, and the
Same rule of taxation ought TO prevail in such
as is provided for the taxation of bank
stock.
COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT TAXES.
change in the method of collecting taxes or
lands returned 10 the County Treasurer is com
mended 20 your very careful considerations II
- is n been much
years, and there seems TO boz growing demand
Scr the change.
turniof these lands 10y the County Treasurer tC
tho Miditor General, and by the Auditor Genera
returhed 20 the County Treasurer for sale.
cannot believe that more errors would be com
mittod by having the sale made directly by tn,
County Treasurer, as il is in most OF the othel
States, than under our present system.
SWAMI LANDS,
The questions i'm controversy 10 the title e
some OF these lands between the general anc
State governments, have not, IA yet, been ad
justed The bill is still pending in the Hous,
of Representatives which provides for refundinl
60 the state 81 q rer acre for all the lands tina
were withheld from patent by the general gov
eminent that the courts have 80 generally de
cidod belonged to the State.
Two years ago / called the attention OF th'
Legislature TO tho fact that suits were pendinl
in the Ingham County Circuit, 70 main
tain the title OF the State 20 something NOR
than 100000 acres OF these disputed lands tina
were granted 10 railroad companies and still
held by them. 1 repeat what said in relation
very respectfully refer you to the more com
pleto statement then made OF the questions in
volved and still urge the prosecution of thes
cases for the same reasons that were then as
signed.
FORFEITED RAILROAD LANDS
In 1856 Congress granted largo tracts OF land
20 aid in the construction OF certain railroads ii
the Upper Peninsula OF Michigan Some O
these roads have not been constructed. An
March 2 1882 Congress passed an act forfoitin
the unearned lands June Is. 1889, n joint reso
luton passed by the Legislature authoriz
ing aud empowering the Governor to reiinquis
the claim OF tho State 20 such forfeited lands
But much difficulty was met In identifying tn
lands.
The Land Office and tho office OF Secretary @
State FASTENED the work as rapidly as possibl,
md on the Goth day OF September 1888 quit
claim was executed to each individual. Wit
some few exceptions L believe the quit-claif
embraces all the lands forfeited, and no Others
GETTYSBURG MONUMENTs.
in 1887 the Legislature appropriated $1,000
for the erection OF monuments on tho Gettys
burg battlefield TO the memory of the severa
Michigan regiments and companies who partic
pAteI In that historic conflict. In 1889, $50
was approx lated for the proper dedication
the monuments. The monuments were con
pleted by the Commission appointed, turne
over 20 the Governor and by him transferred {
the Gettysburg Monument Association, on th
18th day OF June, 1889.
APPEALS TO THE sUpl.CME AND CIRCUIT COURTS
Through commendable diligence, the Suprom