Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-01-22
STATE CAPITAL GOSSIP.
GATHERED IN AND ABOUT Leo
ISLATIVE HALLS.
Minor and Important Matters that Oc-
oupy the Attention of the state Law
Makers-Opposition 20 Executive heooin-
mendations-The Contest Cases, Etc.
lSPECiAb COhhESfONDErOEs
T,ANsTNa. Mich. Ian. IA

LANSING. Mich, Jan. 13.
For the first time In thirty-six years
all branches of tho State Government
are in the hands of tho Democrats. The
political revolution has taken place with
less friction and animosity than could
have been expected. There has been q
disposition on the part OF outgoing OFF,
GERS to extend every courtesy, and make
IL easy for the incoming to take up the
reins of government and guide the ship
OF State without obstruction and con-
sequent detriment to the public service.
The opening OF the Legislature was
noted by the attendance of enthusiastic
Democratic delegations from al portions
OF the state, and the crush at the recep-
tion of the incoming Governor was
simply terrific.
Representative Miner, OF Detroit, has
given notice of one of the most i'm
portant bills that will be considered by
the present Legislature, and one that
will arouse general attention throughout
the country.
The bill provides for the election Of
presidential electors by Congressional
districts. No law of the kind has been
passed by any of the States, but Judge
Miner, who has given the matter long
study, believes that there can be no
question of the constitutionality of such
an enactment 1t is measure, he says,
which il once engrafted on the statutes
would commend itself to the Democratic
Legislatures I'm every State in the Union.
1t would free the country from the
West from the oligarchy Of New York
millionaircs that has dictated the nomi-
nation of Presidentional candidates
The first notice of the introduction OF
bill in the Senate has been given by
Mr.. Mines. 1t provides for amendments
to the general railroad laws relative to
consultations, Sections 20 and 30 Of Ar
ticle IL of the act entitled "An act to
revise the laws providing for the incor-
poration of railroad companies and to
regulate the running and management
and to fix the duties and liabilities OF all
railroads and other corporations owning
or operating any railroad in this State. "
1t is a renewal of the fight he made two
years ago when the railroads knocked
him out.
Senator Mines has begun his old bat
tie against the Lake SEoce and Michigan
Southern Railroad Co. in the Senate by
giving notice that he will introduce a
bill to forfeit the charter of the road on
the ground that 1t has exceeded the char
ter limitations. III the Senator succeeds
in making the bill law, the Lake Shore
will be brought under the graded rail-
road statute passed at the last session,
and the ma n line and any branches earn
ing 200 or over per mile VIII be com
PEELED to charge two cents mile fol
passenger travel.
Representative Miner will introduce 9
% roll hn SpVn mn
Court by providing for the appointment
of a stenographer to each OF the five
justices, thus relieving the latter of {
great amount of clerical work. TIL,
| justices have been consulted about thu
measure and say it will afford then
much relief.
Representative Holton Of Wayne In
troduced bill providing for the exemp
tion of mortgages from taxation, and re
pealing Act PAT, laws of 1887, providing
| for the recording of mortgages in tn,
Office of the Registry of Deeds.
Charles A. Friedlander has entere'
| a protest in the Senate against seating
| BENJAMIN @. Morse (Rep.), OF Alpena
as the Senator from the Twenty siXtl
District. The protest was referred L
a special committee composed OF Sena
tors Wheeler, Mccormick and Mugford
| The basis of the contest is tho irregular
tiles occurring in the preparation of tn
ballot under the new election law whicl
was i'm operation at the November eleC
| tion. Morse is the "boy Senator" bu
says he can hold his seat.
Lieut. Gov. Strong has appointe
| Julius Brown aud Ally Cohen, two O
| Detroits brightest and most energeti
| newsboys, pages in the Senate. This
/ decided and refreshing innovation o.
| the practice which has heretofore pre-
vailed of giving these places to the son
| Of wealthy and influential Senators
| Speaker Wachtel has also declare
against the questionable practice, an
will distribute the messengerships at hi
disposal among deserving boys who nee
the salary. Secretary of State Sopel
who was himself once a ncwsboy, ha
used all his influence in behalf of tn
| little street merchants.
Speaker Pro TEN Richardson is pre-
pairing bill to establish supervisor
control over the toll-road companies Q
the State II contemplates the levyin
OF a heavier tax upon them to meet tn
cost OF supervision, and compels tn
building of roads that are in conformit
to the law, or else forfeiture of the toll!
These is diversity of opinion in rC
gard to the recommendation OF Governo
Winans for the abolishment of the Stat
Game Wardenship, and this Is not cor
fined to either Iarty. More than $500
have been collected in fines for violatiO
of the law since It went into operation
All kinds of game have rapidly increai
ed, and IL is regarded by many as one {
the most wholesome laws on the statut
books. The sportsmen OF the Stat
agree that the game laws cannot be ell
forced except under the supervlsio
OF some officer who is clotho
with proper authority, and WI
has the incentive 10 take actor
and strong move will be made to coul
teract the recommendation Of his exec
lency. A good deal Of comment Is al:
unfavorable TO the abolition OF the Sta
Board OF Health as recommended. Thel
no doubt that We have an abun'
ance OF State boards, but this particuli
one Is recognized as the most efficiel
educator for the preservation Of the pu
lie health, and it will not be sacrifice
without some heroic action on the pa
OF its friends TO preserve 1t. This is m
confined TO any party, but Is the sent
ment Of many thinking people OF a
parties.
HE-My dear cousin, I assure you
would never rob those sweet lips of
| k~~w.r.nwftA IL,