Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-01-13
HOME FOR THE FEEBLE-MINDEp.

are to be found In our poorhouses, our
ence of feeble-minded children and cpl
leptics among the youthful inmates OF the
Reform School and Industrial Home is
detrimental to the welfare OF the others.
and the law does not contemplate their
admission, but they are sometimes re-
ceived before their condition is known,
and 1t Is estimated that there are now
and there are many others throughout
the state. They are everywhere rec
ity, and the state should provide a suit
able home for their reception. The need
OF such an institution IL so manifest that
its establishment could not fail TO meet
popular approval.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
1 invite special attention to the re-
port OF the State Board OF Geological
Survey, now laid before the Legislature
for the first time in twelve years. IL con-
tains matters of public interest which
cannot be discussed in detail, but II you
care to learn what has become of an an,
nual appropriation of $1,000. continued
through twenty years, from which few
of our people have received any penent,
the information is there furnished
trust the recommendations therein MADE
will meet your approval, especially that
relating to the Commissioner OF Mineral
Statistics, whose duties could better De
OF his assistants. The geology OF our
state is OF large interest to our citizens,
and the subject, as 1t now stands, calls
either be abandoned, or provision made
for its early completion.
GOOD ROADS.
At the late special session OF the Legis-
lature was authorized TO appoint COM
mission who should report plan OF legis-
lation looking to the Improvement OF our
highways. 1 submit herewith the report
of the commission. In their opinion no
valid legislation can be enacted, under our
present Constitution. which Will meet the
requirements OF modern road-maldng, and
you will be asked to submit TO the people
at the next election an amendment TO the
Constitution, which, IL adopted, will en-
able the Legislature TO put in operation
a general system OF road improvement
The Importance OF this subject Is attract
ing attention in every part OF our country:
Conventions are held, societies organized
and public sentiment aroused TO the ne
cessity for better roads. II Is admitted on
all hands that our present system, or
lack of system, involves waste OF time,
labor and money, without permanent bene,
tit, and no other question or internal
policy demands greater attention at your
hands.
WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
The Board of Worlds Fair Managers
have drawn but $4,000 OF the 100000 ap-
proprlated. The state building is nearly
completed and is in. every way creditable.
The work Is so far advanced that the
board are confident our state exhibit will
be full and satisfactory, and believe
the sum appropriated is sufficient to cover
the necessary expense.
STATE TROOPS.
Michigan has reason to be proud OF the
character, discipline and efficiency OF her
state militia. Their conduct in camp,
their improvement in military knowledge
and their soldierly qualities insure prompt
and efficient service in case of lawless-
ness or domestic violence. l fully concur
in the recommendations OF the adjutant-
general, to which l invite your attention.
RAILROADS.
The Commissioner of Railroads sub
mits an exhaustive report containing
out certain defects In our legislation on
this important subject. and makes axes sev-
serve serious consideration.
SUPREME COURT.
The necessity for some form of relief
for the Supreme Court becomes more
apparent each year. So many cases are
proper consideration without a delay
which is detrimental to the interests OF
those whose rights are involved. Several
plans for relief are suggested by the
members OF the court and the bar, and
some early action is desirable
LIVE STOCK SANITARY COMMITS
SION
The Live Stock Sanitary Commission
throughout the state. and no serious
epidemic or contagious disease has pre-
vailed. Such diseases are always found
aG the eeed
the commission have held them in check.
The interest involved is large and the
commission Is doing good work at very
small cost to the state.
BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.
Within a few years large number OF
building and loan associations have been
organized and are operating in this state.
More than one hundred Michigan associa-
tions. and many organized in other states
are now doing business here, and their
agents are diligently canvassing every
section OF the state. People OF all classes
are induced to subscribe for stock and
make small payments from time to time
under an agreement that they shall be
the expiration of a fixed period. The
terms offered are so advantageous that
they are accepted by thousands of peo-
pie. The subscribers have no means of
knowing that the associations will be
able to meet their obligations when the
time comes, and the business has as
sumed such large proportions that stock
holders should be protected by having
the business placed under competent state
supervision, so that the financial condi-
ton OF these associations may be known
by those who are asked to invest in
them. Associations doing legitimate bust
ness would have no cause to complain
OF such supervision. and the people
should be informed as to their RESPONSE
bility.
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
The length OF recent sessions of the
Legislature affords just cause for com
form in this respect. The Legislatures Of
1887, 1889 and 1891, were each in session
about six months. Such lengthy sessions
are not necessary and il is in the power
OF any Legislature to shorten them with
out diminishing the amount of work ac-
complished There are two principal causes
of the evil. One Is the existing method OF
dealing with municipal charters. which
consumes a large portion of every ses-
sion In the consideration OF separate bills
If our cities and villages were classified
according to population, and a general
charter enacted for each class which ali
desiring to incorporate must accept a
great saving in labor and time would be
accomplished
The other principal cause OF lengthy
sessions is the practice by the members
of accepting free passes. II they were OBJ
liged to pay their own travelling expenses
most members would remain at the capt.
tol and attend to their duties, but with
free transportation experience has shown
that they Will vote tc adjourn from Fri
day night TO Monday night and the re- /
suit Is only four working DAYS in the |
week. That the points mentioned are the |
principal causes OF our long sessions is
known and admitted by all who are fam
liar with the subject, but, as vet, no
Legislature has contained enough dilirent
and unselish members to apply the OBJ
vious remedies. The Legislature which
shall enact general laws for the incorpor-
alton of cities and villages, and shall do
away with the evils of the free pass avs
far1 xt~fn m 10 fft1s. a..