The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1893-01-11

IL.
il is hoped that the information given and the
recommendations made will result in such
constitutional amendment and legislative
enactments as Will in the immediate future,
result in good country roads.
The Miner Bill.
The last Legislature passed law for the
election of Presidential elect ors by single dis
tricts, instead of. as formerly here and the al
most universal custom elsewhere, OH the gen
eral ticket. In the early history OF this coun-
try this plan was practiced to considerable
extent, but gradually gave way to the plan of
electing all on the general ticket. One of the
reasons claimed for the discontinuance of the
district system was that 1t gave the State no
standing in the national councils. and 1t GER
tainly does have this effect. Michigan now has
fourteen votes in the electoral college. one
sixteenth enough to name the President. which
gives us a commanding position in the nation,
but If five belong safely TO one party and six
to the other, then there are only three to con-
tend for. and it reduces our influence In the ra-
ito of IA to ,. Whatever may be the merits of
this district system, In the abstract, il should
be adopted in all the States or none This act
has been construed by the highest judicial
tribunal in the land to be constitutional, not
withstanding the universal practice of sixty
years to the contrary. IL is not for me TO
question either the correctness or wisdom OF
this decision, but my attention has been called
to q great danger which may arise from the de-
cision in thus comforting almost unlimited
control over this matter on the Legislature,
and 20 such other persons or boards as they
may delegate this power to- Hon. Il. A. Baker
one OF the eminent counsel employed in this
case before the Supreme Court, believes that
the Legislature has power to declare the
elector and alternate elector for President and
Vice President in those districts where they
not in accord with the majority OF the
people of this State. IA shown by the votes
cast at the last election, vacant, and TO provide
for the filling OF these vacancies by men
in accord with the majority OF the people
If this be done, and should be
done, so that the Michigan electors should all
cast their votes in accordance with the dom
inant party in the State. IL could make no pos
sible difference in the result of the election of
Nov. $, 1892, nor be of any partisan advantage
TO either party.
Election Law.
The present election law is grra. improve
mt mt over the one in force previous to its en-
actment, but would respectfully recommend
that In order to secure greater accuracy and
remove opportunity for fraud, a law be passed
proNi ding for a separate board for counting the
ballots; that the boxes be changed in the mid
die of the forenoon, at noon, and in the middle
of the afternoon; that as soon as the count OF
the first box is completed IL shall be the duty
OF the canvassinR board to put up in public
view bulletin showing how the vote stands
and as soon "a the several boxes are counted
have the result bulletined at once. When the
polls close there will be but few votes to
count, and by O'Clock the result can be
known and as the result of the vote up to .
o'clock has already been made public, there IL
little opportunity for mistakes or deception.
Expenses of Candidates.
Section -, act No. 1870, laws of 1891. 9Th sub
reads "a follows: To contribute money for
any other purpose intended 10 promote
election OF any particular person or TICKET, cN-
ccpt for defrayng expenses OF printing, and
the circulation OF hand bills and other papers
previous to any such election. or for conveying
sick or intrm electors to the polls" There can
be no valid or reasonable objection to the pub
lie discussion of political questions which in
terest the people. To do this halls must be
hired and some speakers paid. To 90 this,
party committees are necessary, and IL seems
wise to recognize them and specify for what
objects money may be contributed by candi-
dates or others, and require them TO report for
what such expenditures have been made. 1t
seems better TO permit all legitimate objects
and then enforce the law against bribery and
improper inducements to vote or refrain from
voting with vlgor and irnpartiality.
State Worlds Fair Managers.
The last legislature appropriated 800 600 to
pay the expenses of making an exhibit of the
various manufactures and products of the
State of Michigan at the Worlds Columbian
Exposition, under the direction and superin-
and known rs the II )ard OF Worlds Fair Man
ayers for the State of Michigan. This Board
can do certain things with the amount already
appropriated, make our people comfortable
while there. and make fair exhibit There
are, however. certain interests. notably the
vast live stock interests of this State. that will
not be represented "a they should be without
small additional appropriation. The ex-
pense of exhibiting there Is very large and few
men can anOru TO efeapt On tneir own w aG
an amount, under proper safeguards. as may
be needed to carry out these objects.
Institutions.
Michigan now has seventeen State institu-
tions. These institutions, with their millions
of permanent investments and the large
amount which is appropriated by the Legisla-
ture for their maintenance, speak highly for the
people OF this state, who have generously
/ contributed OF their means for educational in
stitutions, which stand second to none in the
| country. No State or country ever dealt more
| generously by the ,unfOrtunates within her
! boundaries than has Michigan. Her prisons
| and reformatory institutions are abreast OF
| the times.
| MOUNTAINEERING this almost UNPARALLELED
| provision for the unfortunate, further pro-
| vision IN some directions IL urgently needed
now. The present accommodations for insane
| are inadequate, and 10 will become your duty
/ TO provide additional accommodations for
their care. The feeblc-mirdcd and epileptics