Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-01-16
EX-GOVERNOR rrcx's MESSAGE

TCVUIT0
the voter TO remain in the booth one minute,
that some provision be made 10 more rapidly
canvass the vote and that the circulation or
votes outside the booths should be absolutely
prohibited. As 10 temperance legislation ey
Gov. Luce thinks the local option law requir'
no amendment, but the tax on sales or lice--"
law, which was declared unconstitutional,
should be properly amended and re-enactcd.
The passage OF a general law for the incorpor-
alton of villages and cities and for amending
their charters Is advised.
BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.
These have been in active operation IA
many states of the union for many years.
They have proved Of great benefit to the wage
earners in different states of our own as well
as in foreign countries. They are OF moro
recent origin in Michigan. Through the en-.
couragement extended by the act passed by
the Legislature in 1887 many associations have
been formed. Through these, homes have
been secured for large number OF our toiling
population.
IL 1889, for the purpose Of further encourag::
ing these associations, and for the purpose of
avoiding in this case double taxation, an act
was passed eXempting from taxation. certih-
Gates OF stock and ali mortgages or other Sc
curity held by these associations. This was
intended to apply solely and alone TO the cor
porations that were established for the benefit
of those referred to. But, perhaps, because Of
this exemption, associations have been organ
lied and are maintained for the purpose Of in
vestments by capitalists, believing that here
was a good field where they could safely In
vest their funds. The question as to whether
this was authorized by the act has never been
passed upon by competent authority, but n IL
can be done the law ought to DO amended so
as not TO exempt this class of investment from
taxation.
They are doing something in the nature of
banking business with paid up stock, that Is,
sufficient amount is paid in at one time to earn
the face value of the stock within n given
period, and the law should certainly provide
for taxing this class of securities, and no COM
plant is likely TO be made because OF this
amendment,
such cases as is provided for the taxation of
bank stock. The reasons for exempting the
stock of those who have but a small fraction
of 1t paid for, do not exist where pald-up stock
is issued.
Then again building and loan associations Of
all kinds ought TO be placed under official ex-
animation, so that not only the stockholders
but the public may know the exact condition
the same as they do the condition of state and
national banks. And l recommend that the
law be so amended as to tax the investments
in these associations where the purpose is for
investment only, and that all of them be
placed under the, examination OF the Bank
Commissioner of the state. 1t is believed that
there Is a general desire on the part of the
officers of the several associations TO have this
done.
There are large number of building and
loan associations organized in other states
who are operating IN this, and ! commend
TO your consideration the subject of providing
some security for stock holders here. We do
in case of insurance companies and the magni-
tude of the business being transacted justities
yONl ConSlueIutlOu'
DELINQUENT TAXES.
The Governor recommends change in the
method OF collecting taxes on lands returned
TO the County Treasurer by having him make
the sales directly instead of returning them to
the Auditor General.
THE COURTS.
He also recommends that tire law of appeals
be so amended that appeal from the Circuit
Court TO the supreme, where constitutional
rights and personal liberty are not involved,
shall not be made unless the judgment shall
be for more than 500. Also that appea.s from
justice courts, unless the amount exceeds $50,
should be prohibited.
VARIOUS THINGS.
In the matter of the worlds fair the appoint
ment of four Commissioners is suggested to
represent the agricultural, manufacturing,
mining ana educational interests IF In, state,
and If they are appointed that IL SS be taken
from the two leading political par, les o. the
country. He also recommends that an ample
Appropriation be made 10 enable these Commits
sioners TO make creditable displays in their
several departments.
The Legislature is notified by the retiring
Governor that Il will be asked to appropriate
SJ0,0OO as a contribution TO the expenses of the
coming Grand Army encampment-
THE UNIVERSITY.
Referring to the fact that the university
has 2,4OO students which number is likely to
be increased, eX-Goy. Luce thinks the
titled TO great credit for the exercise Of
economy in their estimates for the ensuing
biennial period. They ask for 1891, SlC0,32j;
This is $0264 less than the appropriations
two years ago. 1t is not easy TO see how they
can take care of the number of students they
amount asked for"
OTHER APPROPRIATIONS.
The Normal School will ask for 90,920; the
Agricultural College for s52,G20, of which S10,-
001 is TO rebuild the laboratory; tho Mining
School for S136,OO0 for construction. equipmei
and current expenses; the School for tho
Bliua, $46,340; School for the Deaf, sll4, 80 or
400 less than two years ago; the Soldiers
Home asks for SIT 900, and the Ex-Governor
says: III respectfully ask this Leg stature TO
appropriate, as early as possible, the sum Of
Si6006'' 10 pay off a debt incurred from the fact
that thu amount received from the general
government was much smaller than had been
expected: The state Public school asks for
SGU,6OS the Reform School for S03L>O annually
and the Industrial Home for Girls wants S73,-
"a u.x.r,ox
Under this head the retiring Governor says:
"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 the govern
ment and it's own protection. And no greater
amount should be collected from the people
y
cal administration of public atfGi-S-
GOV. wINANs' MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
The people of Michigan have intrusted 10
you the legislative control Of public affairs for
| the next two years.
/ cannot doubt that you feel the great re
sponsibility which comes to you with the
| power to make laws affecting the varied inter
| ests of two million people, and that you will
| strive to exercise this power In spirit of
| equality and fairness to all Coming, as you
| do, direct from the people, part and parcel
| of those whom you represent, with like eXper-
| fence and aspirations and material interests,
and with intimate practical knowledge of
| their needs, you have only to be true To your
selves TO serve well the interests of your peo-
| pie. The magnitude of the trust reposcd In
| you will become more apparent as you pro-
| coed, and should be a constant incentive TO
| give your best thoughts and energies TO the
| faithful discharge of your duties.
Custom and the Constitution make IL my
| duty TO bring to your attention such matters
| legislative acton. To outline a sound puElic
| ton, would require large public experience
! and great political wisdom. ! can lay claim
| TO neither, but trust we are all actuatOd by
| the same motive, how best TO discharge our
| official duties and serve the true interest of
4 the people. In this spirit let us strive together
| to correct abuses and remove inequalities
| where they exist, and TO make such needed re-
| forms and regulations as experience and the
| vOipa nj he ppOOle mint and damanH NJ