The times., 1897-01-29

| or the Legislature, who halls from De-
troit. Not much of the reform so much
talked about during the campaign has
characterized the actions of the legis-
| lators thus far in the session. Some
| of the members were disposed to cut
| down the number OF employees when the
legislature first convened, but Speaker
Gordon advised them to retain the num-
Der, and, II economy was their object,
| to reduce the pay. Having appointed
the usual number, II not a few more,
| no one need expect the salaries to be
cut for the very good reason that so
many of the members have relatives in
the different branches of the service.
Sure to Bring Out Protests.
A bill of considerable Importance, and
one which Is sure to bring out numer-
Gus protests, Is one introduced by Rep
resentative Fleischauer of Reed City,
| proposing an amendment to the law rel
ative to game wardens Under the ex-
| listing laws these wardens have power
to make arrests on their own COM
plants, or rather to have arrests made
on their own complaints, 1t being the
duty Of magistrates to issue warrants
In such cases. The bill proposes to
curtail this power by making 1t neces-
sary to secure the approval Of the pros
ecuting attorney before the warrant
can be issued. There Is no doubt that
State Game Warden Osborn will op-
pose this measure, for as a rule prose-
cutting attorneys are 10th to conduct
cases for the people even after COM
plants and arrests have been made for
violations of the fish and game laws,
and in several instances 1t has been
necessary for the attorney general to
conduct prosecutions owing to the lack
Of interest taken by the county prose-
cutors. Those who are interested In
the stringent enforcement of these laws
believe that the passage Of the Fleisch-
auer bill would amount to q practical
notification of all the game laws, as
1t would be next to impossible to secure
the arrest of violators.
A very interesting case Is now before
the supreme court, and an opinion Is
expected within fortnight. The decis-
ion will be of interest to the people Of
the state generally as it involves the
question of the right of municipality
to pay a bonus for the location of
manufacturing institution. 1t appears
that the city of Corunna agreed to pay
d. r. Salisbury several thousand dol
lars for locating shoe factory there.
Salisbury carried out his agreement, but
Marcus Wilcox, an extensive property
owner, secured from the circuit court
an injunction restraining the city from
paying the money.
Opinion Awaited With Interest.
A hearing was had and the injunc-
tion was dissolved. Wilcox then ap-
pealed to the supreme court and the
case was argued and submitted fort
night ago. This question has never been
passed upon by the court of last resort
In this state, and the opinion Is being
awaited with much interest. The claim
is that it is illegal for a city to make
such an appropriation of public funds.
1t is probable that the law regulating
the examination of candidates for ad-
mission to the bar will be amended in
one or two important particulars this
winter. This, by the way, is one of the
very best enactments of the last legis-
lature. 1t Is a much more difficult mat
ter for candidates to get the approval
Of the state board of examiners than
of the old examiners appointed by the
various circuit courts as was the Gus
tom under the old system. Under the
old law the preceptor and one or two
friends Of the candidate usually consti-
tuted the examining committee in the
circuit court, and the occasions when a
candidate failed to pass were very rare.
Now most of the candidates are re-
jected, and the result has been to ma
terially raise the standard. Every per-
son desiring admission has to be ex-
amined by this board, the only excep-
tion being in the case Of graduates of
the university who are admitted on
their diplomas. 1t is now proposed and
the board sanctions the idea, to bring
these graduates under the operation of
the law and require them to stand ex-
animation also. A bill already intro
duced proposes an amendment permit
ting persons who have served as coun-
ty clerks for four years to be eligible
to examination, even though they have
not been connected with the office of
some reputable attorney for two years
as is now required the idea being that
county clerks have exceptionable op-
portunities for studying law which
should be equal to the two years ex-
perience in law office. The tendency,
however, is so strongly in favor Of maxi
ing 1t harder for one to gain admission
to the bar that 1t is not believed that
TIE plll VIII pass.
Scheme of the State Treasurer.
State Treasurer Steel's scheme of hav-
ing the state go into the banking busi-
ness so far as the numerous ctate in
stitutions are concerned has come in for
considerable discussion. There is quite
a difference of opinion as to the desira-
bility of the plan. When he first took
hold Of the office Treasurer Steel decid-
ed to make rule requiring the treas
urer of each institution, upon receiving
a warrant from the auditor general. to
deposit the amount of the warrant in
the state treasury and check II out of
that depository instead Of taking 1t to
his home and depositing II with one of
the banks there. For convenience sake
the treasurer Of each of these boards is |
the resident member of the board or |
some other citizen o. the place in which |
the institution Is located. Investigation |
convinced the state treasurer, however.
that he had no authority to make the |
order, the law prescrib- |
ing that, upon the presentation to him |
of the auditor generals warrant. he |
shall pay the amount thereof to the |
treasurer to whom It is drawn, leaving