The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-01-04


employ attorneys educated and experienced In
these particular branches. II cannot help re-
sulting in O loss to the state 1 believe the
state Is losing enough to pay reasonable SAL
airy to four attorneys general through lack OF
paying q fair compensation TO one. As an IL
lustration of the amount lost In this way on
account of the small salary paid to this onicer.
In the year 1890 alone the board of state audit
ors allowed for attorney fees and expenses the
sum of 8f2,98l.S4 That occasions may arise
when additional counsel is needed is altogether
probable. but II this provision were adopted
the amount saved in extra counsel would pay
the additional salary of the attorney general
several times over. and / believe he would
save the state much more by having the cases
attended to promptly and properly.
Omcial Bonds.
Up to the present time neither the secretary
OF state nor his deputy has ever been required
to give Official bonds The reason for this
probably Is that originally the secretary Of
state was merely record-keeper, and no mon
eys passed through his hands, but In later
years large sums of money are received by HIM
from various sources, and, as was shown In the
case of the late deputy secretary OF state, there
is chance for embezzlement. 1t would seem
proper that both the secretary Of state and his
deputy should be required to give adequate
bonds for the faithful performance OF their re-
sponsible duties, and for the safe payment OF
all moneys coming into their hands.
Supreme Court.
During the legislative session OF 1893 several
plans we're proposed for the relief OF the su-
preme court The one finally adopted required
the judges to reside at Lansing, and an in-
crease of salary was given them in con-
sideration thereof. At the time OF the
adjournment OF the legislature there were up
wards OF one hundred cases ready for hear
ing but which could not be reached. In the
eighteen months since that time the calendar
haa nd hat 1as
the present condition OF affairs they will be
able to keep up with the work The judges
have been where they could constantly consult
together, and l am fully satisfied that the re-
lief granted has been the most practicable that
could have been given and that it cannot help
but improve the character OF the decisions in
giving the opinions Of the full court to greater
extent than ever before by being where they
can at all times consult together and have ac-
cess TO the state library.
Farmers Institutes,
The following resolution, which was unan-
imously adopted at the last meeting OF the
state grange, meets the views OF q very large
majority OF the farmers throughout the state,
and is heartily recommended for your consid-
Grafton:
I'VE advocate that the state appropriate an
nually the sum of 5000, or such amount us will
be sufficient TO hold u two day institute in
every county in the state whore the agricul-
mand it. We believe the success of the insti-
tutes will be eutest where the local interest
is the greatest. We there ore suggest that the
law require tho formation OF county institute
societies under whose auspices the institutes
shall be held, and which shall provide local
speakers to occupy about one-half the time Of
the institute and for local expenses"
State horticultural Society.
The State Horticultural society has been do
ing good work in this state and the horti-
cultural products of tho state are becoming q
very important source OF revenue They are
increasing rapidly from year to year The So
ciety has been in tho habit OF bearing the OK
pense OF printing its teports but they are now
called upon to meet some new insect pests
which threaten destruction TO some OF the
most valuable fruits in the state. Hope that
when the needs OF the society are presented
they viii receive the attention their i'm
portancc merits
ChickamNuga Commission.
Under the provisions OF act No. IS, Public
Acts OF 1893, . commission was appointed to
ascertain. fix, and mark the positions occu-
pied by tho several Independent organizations
OF this state in the battles OF ChiCkamauga,
Chattanooga and Mission Ridge. The commits
sion has made q partial report OF its doings,
but as the report was not complete IL was
withheld FOR completion. The commission has
asked for an appropriation OF $4,000 to mark
the positions occupied by the several Michigan
regiments and batteries After this is done
the government Will take care Of the monu-
ments, and the state win be to no further ex-
pense. This. appropriation is less than any
other state has appropriated in proportion,
but from plans submitted by the commission
am satisfied the work can be well done for
this amount, and recommend that the appro-
priation be made.
Antictam Commission.
Upon the request OF the Antletam board, ap-
pointed by the secretary OF war, TO carry out
the provisions OF an act OF congress approved
August 80, 1890, approprilting money for the
purpose OF surveying, locating and preserving
the battle lines at the battle OF Antietam, q
commission was appointed to mark the posi-
lions OF Michigan regiments ana batteries
upon tho field OF battle The work OF this
commission has been nearly completed. There
is no provision of law authorizing the payment
of the actual expenses OF this commission
while engaged ia this work. and would rec
ommend that resolution be passed making
provision for its expenses. The work is along
the s@Le line as that performed by the Chick
amauga commission, and is deserving OF the
same consideration
labor Strikes.
During the summer Of 1894 Michigan, as we'll
as her sister states, suffered from the great
labor strikes, which occurred during the last
days OF June and early days OF July. Great
damage was done by the suspension Of railway
traf1c ana the incidental damage done to all
kinds Of business. 1t is~undoubtedly tho fact,
however, that those engaged in the strike were
the greatest sufferers therefrorn, as Ia many
cases they were thrown out OF employment and
compelled TO seek employment elsewhere. In
many cases 1t became necessary for men who
had comfortable homes either wholly or par
TALLY paid for and who had established social
and business ties which were OF great value to
them, found 1t necessary to sever all these con-
nections, and seek employment amid strange
scenes and surroundings Others have been
unable to get employment owing TO the num-
Der OF men thrown odt OF employment, and
from other causes. Fortunately but little dam
age was done by the wanton destruction of
property. There was, however, one very seri-
ous wreck, causing the loss of two lives and
the ondangering OF many others, brought about
by tho removing of rail from tho track OF the
Chicago & Grand Trunk railroad, west of Bat
tie Creek, on tho night of July TO- 1894, which,
while not the work OF the organization, was
caused by the feeling engendered during the
strike. Those engaged in this diabolical work
have confessed their crime, and 1t is possible
will be punished for it.
On the 81 Of July an urgent call was made
for military aid by the sheriff OF Gogebic
county, on account OF the striking miners
After q brief but ag THOROUGH Investigation aS