Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-06-05
THE EXPRESS COMPANIES Civ.
EN- AN HEARING.
They Present Some Very Good Rea-
sons Why Their Taxes should Not
BE Increased.

local taxes, quite different from railroad
transportation Lines, and rented offices for
conducting their business. Ii also came
out in the course of the questioning TO
which Col. Trumbull was subjected that
none of the express companies are incor-
porated. The American express company
pays out $3.50, coo year for transportation
TO Michigan railroads; il paid $500, 900 in
wages here, and upwards OF sl2, 900 in
taxes. The express companies cared for
sick, superanuatcd and disabled employees,
and at the present time the American ex-
press company was paying out from 80, 900
TO $40, 600 year on this account alone.
The house and senate did not do any
work Monday. because there was not
quorum present.
The house Joint resolution for the burial
Of the remains of the former govern or.
Stephen Il. Mason. upon the grounds of
the capitol, passed the senate without
debate. II now goes TO the governor for
approval.
Lieut.-Gov. Strong has appointed Sen
ators Croker Bastone and Garyelink as "A
conference committee to consider the
differences between tho two houses on the
measures proposing to reduce the legal
rate Of interest.
The house committee of the whole has
struck out all after the cnacting clause i n
Mr. a. FerguSons bill 10 provide for farm
ishing school books 10 the state under con-
tract. The bin is copied after the Indiana
law on that subject. Mr.. Thatcher of
Muskegon demanded the yeas and nays
on the question. The house concurred,
yeas %, nays II, which may be said to
fix the fate OF the bill.
The governor has sent to the house his
veto OF the G. \. X. appropriation bill.
His objections are based on policy and
justice 10 taxpayers. He says: 1T is
proposed TO take money earned by the
hard hand Of labor and saved by the
patient economy Of wives and mothers and
use it for social entertainment and general
good tine. A political convention or the
Presbyterian general assembly would be
just as much entitled TO state add
With the exception of the bill redistrict-
ing the senatorial districts of the state,
political measures in the senate are now
on Tuesday of substitute prepared by
Senator Benson Of Representative Whites
bill redistricting the representative dis
tricts, has brought about this state of
affairs. The bill was presented by the
senate committee on apportonment, favor
ably considered in committee of the whole
and passed without much comment. The
changes from Mr.. Whites bill are: One
representative IS taken from Menominee
and given TO Sanilac county; likewise the
new county of Dickinson is placed in a
district with the counties of Iron, Baraga
and Ontonagon.
Detroits hospitality toward the legisla-
ture upon their recent visit has beer &C
knowledged by the passage of an elabor
ate concurrent resolution of thanks. An
engrossed copy will DO forwarded 10 the
mayor and common council
The house committee on education have
reported favorably the Dekema local
option bill providing for the introduction Of
the kindergarten system in the public
schools for children between and years
Of age.
Senator Doran's substitute bill for the
relief of the supreme court, authorizing the
employment of clerical force, one for each
justice at an expense of not less than $500
per annum each, passed upon a scratch
vote Of Is TO 8. The governor vetoed a
similar measure after its passage.
The worlds fair bill was reported Thurs.
day morning by the house committee on
ways and means. The amount to be APP
prp or hn iebi sot n
fair was fixed at $l25. 900, which many
regard as too small. The bill creates
commission of six men and three women,
of which the national commission men,
bers in Michigan and the lady managers
are ex-offico members. The board is to be
appointed by the governor. 1t organizes
by the election of president, secretary and
treasurer. The treasurer is to give bonds
10 the governor in the sum of $50. 900 and
the board is to serve without compensa-
ton except expenses. The bill appropri-
ates S50 900 TO be raised in 1891 and S75,-
600 may be drawn in the two following
years. No moneys may be expended OK
cept upon requisition by the president
of the board, which must be approved by
the governor.
Members OF the c.. a. Il. who are in the
Legislature, TO the number Of 20, have held
a caucus on the subject Of the veto of the
bill appropriating $50. 900 for lodgings for
worthy veterans who may attend the ma.
tional encampment in Michigan next
August 1t was resolved that the honor OF
the state required that the bill should pass,
and that any other course would be inhos-
pitable and unpatriotic. Stirring speeches
going over the ground were made. II is
believed by the Grand Army men that
when the people come to understand the