Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-02-11
MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE

| The snti-raiIroad pass fever has broken
out In the Legislature In most virulent
form. The question has been frequently
discussed since the session began, and
many members have returned passes sent
them. Tuesday Representative Lusk
gave notice of a joint resolution proposing
an amendment to the constitution making
II an odense punishable by removal from
ONCE for any public Official to accept q
free railroad pass or q telegraph, tele-
phone or express frank. IL is not inn
probable that such q proposition will be
submitted to the people at the fall cleo
ZION. Notice has been given of an insol-
sency bill which makes invalid the NAM
Ing of preferred creditors in chattel
mortgages, and permits an insolvent to
turn over TO the agent of court all his
assets and then be relieved from further
liability. The bill further provides that
In cases of involuntary insolvency the
creditor may, upon satisfactory show
ing of such insolvency, force an assign
ment. 1t is proposed to give to townships
authority to purchase gravel pits, stone
quarries and road-making machinery for
the purpose of improving the highways.
Other bills presented provide for the re-
peal OF the law taxing mortgages on real
estate, for the appropriation of $4,000
for Governors residence, to increase the
uniform retail liquor tax to $3.50 and to
require the payment of specific tax Of
per cent. on net earnings by sleeping,
palace and chair car companies.
In the matter of the nomination Of
William Hartsuff Of Port Huron, for
inspector general, the Senate held pro-
tracted executive session, Wednesday,
and the battle was vigorously waged. The
fact that Hartsuff is not State mill
tiaman brought about his defeat J. b.
Caswell of Port Huron, for salt inspector,
was confirmed. The appropriation bills
are beginning to make their appearance
Notices were given Of bills appropriating
P120,OOO for the Industrial school for
boys, sos, OOO, for the Michigan mining
school, $4,000 for the Mackinac island
State park. and $4,000 for a residence
for the Governor. The disposition Is to
scan all appropriation bills closely and cut
them to the quick. A shot was takpn at
commercial agencies by the Introduction
of bill prohibiting them or any individ-
ual from making, publishing or circulate
ing any statement whatever AZ 20 the
uhohSiui otuHuiuS VI " URN Ut COTDOTNIlOn
without the latter's consent. Bills limit
Ing railroad passenger fares in al parts
of Michigan to 2 cents a mile, limiting the
Tee for the privileges of a sleeping car to
81 night and requiring companies 70 pay
a license fee of $50 year for each gar
were noticed. Af
Representative Dickinson, the only col
ored member of the Legislature, has given
notice of bill for the suppression of mob
violence. 1t is nodded after the Ohio law
and provides that persons suffering at the
hands of mobs shall recover from the
county in which the assault takes place
sum not less than $500 or more than
$1,000. the extent of the injuries to gov
srn. The legal heirs of persons killed by
mobs will be entitled to recover $1,000.
The county, in turn, will be entitled to re-
cover the amount paid from any known
participant in the assault. In case a
mob goes from one county to another and
there resorts to violence the latter coun-
ty will pay the bill and recover from the
former. Bills were introduced Thursday
providing that persons acquitted of crime
On the ground of insanity shall be sent
TO the asylum for dangerous and Grim
inal insane for the minimum term of three
years; also providing for the collection
and publishing of divorce statistics.
Bills were noticed requiring railroad COM
panies to carry bicycles as baggage, and
preventing the forfeiture of fire insurance
policies for violation of any condition
when such violation is without prejudice
% the insured. Action upon Governor
Dingree's nomination of Arthur G. Bird
IF Highland and Thomas L. Marston Of
Bay City for members of the State Board
IF Agriculture for terms of six years was
postponed.
A bill proposing q tax of 90 cents per
year on bicycles was introduced Friday.
II is said to be in the interest of wheel
men, as it provides that the revenue from
the tax be placed in a special fund to be
used for the construction of bicycle roads.
The supervisors and a committee of
wheelmen in each county are designated
TO determine what roads shall be repaired.
There is strong sentiment among legis-
lators in favor of the enactment of a
liquor law similar to the Nicholson law in
Indiana. and the indications are that
such a measure will be favorably reported
1t an early day. There is a decided ten
iency to make the liquor laws more strin-
gent than ever before, and it is not inn
probable that the present county local OPP
ton will be extended to cities, villages,
townships and wards.