The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-07
PINGREE'S
REFORMS.
For a Starter He Would AbOl-
iSh Party Conventions.
Are ssMediums of Trickery,
Bribery and Fraud"
WANTS ADIRECT VOTE
Then He Recommends Two
Cent Railroad Fares.
DenOunces Lobbyists "WhO
Wine, CajOle and FIatter."

Lansing, Mich, Jan. THE two
houses of the legislature convened in
joint session this afternoon and listen
ed to the addresses OF the retiring and
incoming governors. Gov. Pingree's
address at the outset recommended the
adjustment OF party conventions.
which, he asserted, have become the
medium of trickery, bribery and fraud
He advocated instead the direct vote
and the Australian ballot system in
nominating candidates.
The governor urged that the property
of corporations be taxed in the same
manner as other property.
Present fares in Michigan lowing to
certain features of charters of certain
rOadS) were argued to be a proper sub
ject for legislative action.
Gov. Pingree deplored the fact that
While, for instance, the Chicago and
Grand Trunk road is confined to To-
cal passenger charge OF cents mile,
the Michigan Central and Lake Shore
are permitted to charge a local fare OF
5 cents and he adds:
1T is also commonly known that pas
SengerS travelling between Michigan
stations are charged more by the rail
roads than those who travel through
the state from outside points"
The legislature was recommended to
consider the question of uniform 2-cent
fares.
The governor urged that the referen-
dun practice of referring legislative
granting of quasi public franchises.
After denouncing trusts and combi-
nations of the present day, the govern
or warned the legislators against per-
hitting Michigan to become the field
for operations through which great cor
porations might acquire possession Of
the states mineral resources and in
connection Herewith control the lake
shipping interests.
He advised consideration of the new
supervision of corporations by a corpor-
alton commissioner who should ascer-
tain the exact available assets of every
corporation before permitting it to en-
joy corporate privileges.
On the subject of railway taxation
Gov. Pingree, while not advising dis
pensing with the present system of
specific taxation upon the earnings of
such corporations urged some steps to-
wards adding to that system. He ad-
which should determine the value of all
corporate property not now taxed, 10
cally, and which should levy taxes
thereon in the same proportion that
private property is taxed.
The present taxation of mortgages
he asserted, is double taxation against
the borrower. The governor came out
strongly against the paid lobbyists
who infest our halls and added:
IF the legislators are not intelligent
enough to give intelligent thought and
action to public measures without the
aid of those who wine and dine caiOle
and fatter and bride, at least steps
should be taken to modify the nuisance.
There should be some method of en-
rollnent and 6, fee demanded as a con-
dition precedent to the right to practice
before the peoples legislative jury
In regulating the granting of pub
lie franchises. the governor advised as
follows: Reserve the right to fix rates
of charges; let the construction of
plants be under supervision OF the nlu-
nicipality.
Provide that no mortgage be executed
| or bonds issued to a greater amount
| than One-half the cost of the plant
Require the corporation to file sworn
statements of its receipts and expendi-
lures, certified by a public accountant.
Provide against consolidation of COM
| panies.
| Provide that no franchise be extended
| during the life of the original grant.
| Provide that no franchise be granted
| without being submitted to a vote of
| the people.
Gov. Pingree favors the establishment
| of a state board of arbitration and de-
! clared for an inheritance tax and an
| income tax.
| In conclusion he recommended annual
| sessions of the legislature not exceed
| ing 60 days.