Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-01-13

be SO amended as to require a grading OF
prisoners In accordance with their offenss
and conduct.
INSPECTION OF OIL.
The law passed by the last Legislature
changing the method of inspection OF IL
Illuminating oil has not reduced the price
to consumers, but has impaired It's illu-
minating qualities, and the loss OF much
property and some lives are directly trace
able to Its use. AS a large majority of our
people are dependent on It's use for light
ing purposes, 1t Is hoped that no time Will
be lost In providing such test as shall
make II safe for use, and at the same time
give IL greater illuminating power.
TAXATION or RAILROAD COMPA-
MES.
We have in our state few railroads
which were pioneers of their kind and
were granted special charters with special
privileges. They are to-day among the
most prosperous of our great system OF
railroads They have contributed much
to the growth and prosperity of our state.
and have reaped a golden reward therefor.
They have now become an aristocracy or
privileged class of railroads, both as TO
rates charged and taxes paid. This con-
ditlop Is unjust TO the general law roads,
and unjust TO the people of the state. A
state Is no more justified in breach or
contract than an individual, but In some
instances the railroads have themselves
broken the contract, and when this has
not been done the charters themselves
provide a means for their repeal. IL only
dividuals, should be governed by the same
laws aad be subject to the same burdens
Tor the support of the government. L
trust this question will receive your. early
ana careful attention.
QUARANTINE.
1t is not unreasonable to expect a visl-
tatton OF cholera to this country during
the coming year. Several of the main
lines of railroad run through this state,
and the increased travel from the old
country to the Columbian Exposition Will
menace the danger to the. people OF this
state. The necessary legislation should
be enacted to place unquestioned authority
in the hands of some state authority for
effective quarantine. ana at the same time
not unnecessarily interfere with travel and
business. An amount sufficient TO carry
out the provisions of such enactment
should also be made.
STREET AND HIGHWAY CROSSINGS
OF RAILROADS.
The increase in number and speed OF
trains and the increase in the amount OF
travel on our streets and highways make
the need of some more adequate protec-
ton at these crossings more important
The Commissioner OF Railroads Is author
ICED TO order gates and tiagmen at such
crossings as he may deem necessary. This
is a difficult and delicate task. and by
far the most responsible duty which the
Commissioner OF Railroads is called upon
to perform, All grade CROSSINGS are dan.
gerous. The expenses involved prevent
ordering gates to all crossings, ana IL Is
a very delicate question to determine just
where crossing has become dangerous
enough to require protection, and In any
event the system Is an expensive one TO
railroad companies and by no means pro-
vides for anything like absolute safety.
The Commissioner Is also authorized to
order bridges. but there Is no means TO
provide for the damage done TO adjoining
property when the approaches extend be-
yond the right Of way OF the railroad COM
pany.
In some OF our larger cities there is now
an urgent demand for some means to avoid
The danger rsa. and dross delsy
Il IL would seem that the time
has come when some provision
should be made by law for the separa-
and railroads. which should have In view
the gradual but final abolition of grade
crossings OF streets or highways and rail-
roads. Such a law would be In the IN
terest of true economy In maintenance
and operation on the part OF railroads,
| and n saving OF time. annoyance ana lie
and limb on the part or the people.
You are intrusted with the vast re-
sponslbility of legislating for two and
quarter million OF people. II Is for you
to determine what laws shall be passed
for their government and control, how
much and for what purpose money shall
be appropriated, and who shall be the rep
| in the highest legislative BODY in the
world for the next six years. All these
duties are important to yourselves and
those you represent. AS the representa-
tives OF as intelligent. energetic and bust
ness-like a people as there are IN the
| world, 1 believe your work Will be done
| in such a manner as such people do their
| private business, promptly, intelltgently,
| thoroughly and with that wise economy
which prudent business men exercise ir
their own affairs.