The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-14
me Bell people are equally =. confident
that the maximum bill is constitutional.
Uniform system of Text Books.

Uniform system of Text Books.
Another bill 81 great public import
ance which vert through the house
last week and is now pending in the sem
ate was the Graham Forsyth bill to cs-
tabllsh a uniform system Of text books
in Michigan. 1t is claimed that the bill
Will effect a saving of so per cent. in the
cost Of school text books. 1t Is a sig
nifcant fact, however, that the educa-
tors of the state are a unit in opposition
TO the bill. Last week the anu meet
ing of the state association of city school
superintendents was held here and reso-
buttons condemning the bill were adopt
ed by a unanimous rising vote riCht on
the heels OF an hours speech by Senator
Forsyth in it's favor. The resolutions
says that such n law would cause an
expenditure by the parents of the state
or over $500, 600 with no material benefit;
that 1t would not bring about any of the
lancied blessings Of state uniformity;
that 1t would not materially cheaper
text books; that 1T would pen the way
Tor vastly inferior books; that il would
centralize too greatly the power of text
DOCK adoption; that 1t would stand in
the way of a compulsory free text book
law which would secure al the advan-
~ iiio blll dilu dNOld us
serious and calamitous provisions The
association concluded by appealing to
the senate to kill the bill and save the
state from the impending disaster at
tendant upon its passage The impress
sion prevails hat the bill stands an ex-
cellent show Of passing the senate in
spite OF the vigorous opposition that is
being made.
Killed i'm the Senate.
A bill fathered by the state fish COM
mission and designed to yield the state
an annual revenue of about $25,0 900, was
killed by the house q few days ago. This
Dill sought to infict an annual license
fee on commercial fishermen, the theory
or the commission being tina as these
operators are the ones who get the bene-
III or the work of the state in stocking
the great lakes with fry they should
stand a portion of the expense of carry
ing on the work. A majority of the
hCuse could not see the matter in that
light, however. The other commission
bill passed the house. This makes the
closed season for trout and white fish
during November and December, and
increases the size of the mesh in the va
rious kinds of nets used by commercial
fishermen, thus increasing the size of
the fish that may be legally taken. In
order that the fishermen may not suffer
the loss Of nets now in stock the bill pro-
vides that these may be used until 1900.
but that all nets purchased after that
date must be of the mesh designated
therein. The provisions as to meshes are
as follows: An increase of Il inch in the
mesh Of a pound net, making Az inches
as used, not as purchased; an increase
Of Il inch in the mesh CT a gill net, maxi
ing it Az inches as used; prohibiting
the catching of white fish that weigh
less than two pounds in the round, pro-
viding, however, that white fish weigh
Ing less than two pounds which are caught
in gill nets, may be marketed; prohibiting
the catching of sturgeon orrock sturgeon
weighing less than fifteen pounds in the
round. The commission is empowered
to grant permits for the use. of smaller
meshes for herring fishing. There appears
to be a growing a%ntagonism among the
legislators to the bill making an appro-
p~riation for the fish commission. and the
indications that it will be badly sIashed
are daily becoming more apparent.
Liquor Bill Acted Upon.
Two important bills have been acted
upon by the house liquor committee
lately. One of these sought to permit
the use Of screenes to obstruct the view
of bars from the street on Sunday and
during other prohibition hours. The
claim Was made that the provision of
the present law requiring an unob-
structed view Of the bar had worked
gross injustice in several instances, sa-
loonkeepers being heavily fined forkeep-
ing their saloons open during prohibited
hours, When in fact, they were i'm their
saloons for purely innocent purposes.
The committee decided to report the bill
unfavorably Notwithstanding this claim.
A majority of the committee have de-
cided to make a favorable report on the
bill permitting aloons to keep open on
New Years Day. Fourth of July and
Labor Day. Two members of the COM
mittee Will make an adverse report and
the bill will doubtless be defeated, the
disposition of the members being to not
lessen the restrictions placed about the
liquor traffic.
Both houses have finally agreed on
May 81 as the time for adjournment. al
though they are apart as to the day
all business except the enrolment
of bills. etc. shall cease. This difference
being but one day will doubtless be adj
Justed during the present week. 1t is
SNiuSHt tHdt IL the legislature is to
finally adjourn on the day named a
large number of important bills will re-
main Enacted upon. Just what they will
be cannot, of course, be known at this
time, but 1t Is a fact that there are at
present a sufficient number of impor- |
tant bills, including appropriation bills, |
on the general order of the house alone |
to occupy every ome Of the time of
that body UP to the last day Of the month |
IL they are to be given anything like the
consideration which their importance de-
mands. Aside from these there are sew
eral hundred bills still in the hands of |
the various committees In view of this |
fact the slaughter to ensue if the legis- |
lature vanishes with the month Is some
thing %frightful to contemplate.
To Prevent Diseases.
Both houses have now passed the bill
appropriating 50, 500 annually for carry
ing out the provisions of the law reauir-
ing that there be taught in the public
Of the state the best methods of
preventing and restricting dangerous
nm fnttpicoh In Iicaac. 4