Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-03-20
STATE LEGISLATURE.
SEVERAL PLANK ROAD CHARTERS
GET A BLACK EYE.
Majority Report ON the Coldwater
School Adopted by the House.

| MbJOTlty hepOrt on TIE kOluWatef
School Adopted by the House.
q. A. TX. Men Enthusiastic Over the
Encampment Appropriation.
Senator Crocker's two bills-one for the
amendment and the other for the absolute
repeal of the charter OF the Detroit & MI.
Clemens and the Detroit 4 Erin plank road
company consolidated were measures
under discussion before the senate judiciary
committee Thursday morning. The COM
mittee took no action, but reserved it's
decision. 1t is safe to presume, however,
that the bills will be reported fagorably.
and that the days OF the Gratiot avenue
toll road are few and numbered. The
action of the house committee on the Mich
igan avenue and Woodward avenue plank
road bills is slower, the committee being
apparently inclined 10 split hairs Chair
man Marsh expects to get them together
again next week.
The house devoted Thursday entirely to
the consideration of the reports on the
Coldwater public school and the Nellie
Griffin case. Both the majority and the
minority reports were discussed. The
speeches by Representatives Henze,
Marion, a. +. Ferguson, Doremus, Miner,
Richardson and Cook. The same report
with certain notifications, was advocated
by Representatives Barkworth and Miller
The minority report was supported by
Representatives Diekma aud Clapp. The
debate was protracted until evening, when.
after several amendments had been offered
and voted down. the majority report was
adopted, yeas, 90; nays, -. The only re-
publican who voted for the majority report
was Mr.. Virgins.
Returning delegates from the G.. A. II.
encampment at Muskegon speak enthusi-
astically OF the unanimous wish of the G..
n. IL. TO have the state extend aid and
welcome TO the coming national encamp-
ment at Detroit. They will relax no
effort to explain the subject properly 10
their fellow citizens and trust TO the legis-
lature TO do its part toward making the en-
campment success.
The house committee on liquor traffic has
reported back the bill TO establish reform
atory for drunkards. recommending that
the measure so 10 the committee on state
affairs. The recommendation was APP
proved by the house
The senate proceedings on Friday passed
on as of yore. no turbulent scenes, but the
same Old dry, routine Of a daily legislative
grind. y quite numerous audience
assembled in expectation OF established
riot of some sort, but were disappointed.
The seat of Senator Mines was vacant;
the statesman from COldwater had gone TO
Detroit. After an hours work in com
mittee Of the whole, and the passage Of
several bills, the senate adjourned until
Monday at 9:l5p m.
The house committee on private corpora
tons has reported favorably the bill 10
authorize the organization Of builders and
traders exchanges with a capital Of $50
900. The same committee has also favor
ably reported substitute for the bill
offered by Mr.. Barnard, providing for the
purchase and condemnation by cities of the
state of all the rights Of any toll or plank
road company occupying the public streets,
II provides that the valuation of the plank
road may be agreed upon by the agents Of
the company and the common council of
the city. In case no agreement can be
reached the city is authorized 10 condemn
the rights held by the company, proceeding
in the same manner as in condemning land
for streets, being act l24 of 1888. The
damages to which the company is entitled
are to be paid wholly by the city.
The house has passed bill which in
crcases the total amount Of real and per-
sonal property which associations for the
purpose Of establishing and sustaining
churches. religious societies and Sabbath
schools may hold and possess to $780,
600. The former limit was $50, 900. The
bill was presented at the request of the
Jesuit college of Detroit. whose property
was improved in value with the growth of
the city. but is applicable. of course, to all
Institutions of the class included inSthe
title.
The house judiciary committee has
recommended the passage of a substitute
for Mr.. Cooks bill prohibiting the use of
free passes by members of the legislature.
II is also a substitute for Nj. Diekema's
bill in the same line. The substitute is
exceedingly sweeping in its nature. IL
provides that any executive. legislative or
judicial officer Of this state or any officer
or person in any manner designated or APP
pointed by any such officers, who shall
directly or indirectly, in any manner what
ever. accept, receive. use or enjoy trans
portation of any kind, either for himself or
for any other person. from any corpora
ton organized and doing business under
the laws OF this state, and engaged in
whole or in part in the carrying of passen-
gers for hire, or from any of its officers
agents, attorneys or servants, free or at
any rate less than such corporation
charges persons of the general public for
similar services. shan be deemed guilty Of
felony punishable by fine not exceeding
$780, or by Imprisonment in the state
prison not more than one year, on by both
such ine and Imprisonment, in the discre-
ton of the court. The violation Of the act
also subjects the offending corporation to
fine Of 81 600 and the cost Of prosecution
for each offence. All the moneys received
from this source are TO be turned over TO
the state treasury. The offence OF pass
taking is made felony instead of a mis-
demeanor, because q member Of the lcgis-
lature cannot be arrested for a INSIDE
meanor during his term OF Office