Rock Island Argus., 1897-01-08
PLAN OF PINGREE
For the Happiness and Prosperity
OF Michigan.
RETIRING REMARKS OF GOV. RICH.

state Not as Badly on as It Has Been
Finnncially-Detroit's Eeformcr Sci,ed-
ules the Things Necessary in His Opinion
for the Good OF Michigan--Prairie State
Legislators Get Ready for Inauguration
Day-Indiana Legislature.
Lansing, Mich, Jan. S.-Two messages
were read at the joint session of the
legislature yesterday. One was from
the retiring governor who told the legis-
lators that the treasury was practically
empty, but that there was some con-
ISOLATION in the fact that the state was
not nearly as much in debt for advances
previous years at this time. The re-
tiring governor handled the subject of
taxation at considerable length, es-
recially with reference to the taxation
of corporations. Then came Governor
Pingree's address. This document be-
gan with the recommendation that
party conventions be abolished. they
having become, he says. msdiums OF
trickery, bribery and fraud. He advo-
Gated 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 proerty.
Speaks W ord for 2-Ccnt Fares.
Present rail rates We're next argued
to hc a proper subject for legislative G
action Governor PinGree deplored the
fact that while, for instance. the Chi
caso and Grand Trunk road is confined
to local passenger charge OF 9 cents
u mile the Michigan Central and Lake
shore are permitted to charge a local
fare Of cents, and ne added: 1t is
also commonly known that passengers
travelling between Michigan stations are
charged more by the railways
than those who travel through
the state from outside points"
The legislature was recommend
ed to consider the question of uniform
2-cent fares. The governor urged that
the referendum practice of referring
legislative acts TO the people he required
in the granting of quasi public fran
chises.
Trusts and Railway Taxation.
After denOuncing the trusts and COM
binations of the present day the gover-
nor warned the legislators against per-
mittiDg 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 consid-
Grafton of the supervision Of corpora
tionS by Q corporation commissioner,
who should ascertain the exact availa-
BILE assets of every corporation before
permitting it to enjoy corporate priv
ileges. On the subject of railway tax
alton, Governor Pingree, while not ad-
vising dispensing with the present sys-
tenn of specific taxation upon the earn
inSs Of such corporations. urged some
steps toward adding to that system.
Sugg SITS n Way to DO 1t.
He adviseG the creation of a state
board, which should determine the
value of all corporate property now
taxed locally, and which should levy
taxes thereon in the same proportion
that private property is taxed The
present taxation On mortgages, he as
serted, is double taxation against the
borrower. The governor came out
openly 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, cajole and
fiatter and bribe. at least steps should
be taken to modify the nuisance. There
should be some method of enrolment
and a fine demanded as a condition
precedent to the right to practice be-
fore the peoples legislature.
Gets "Onto" His Favor;te Theme.
In regulation the granting of pub
lie franchises the governor advises as
follows: Reserve the right to fix rates
of charges: let the construction of
plants be under supervision of the mu-
nicipality. Provide that no mortgage
be executed or bonds issued to a great
er amount than one-half of the cost of
the plant. Require the corporation to
file sworn statements OF its receipts and
expenditures, certified by a public ac-
countaRt. Provide against consolida-
Of the original grant. Provide that no
franchise be extended during the life
Of the original grant. Provide that on
franchise lie granted without being
submitted to vote of the people. Cow
ernor Pinsree favored the establish
ment of a state board of arbitration
and declared for an inheritance tax and
an income tax. In conclusion he rec
commended annual sessions of the legis-
latyre not exceeding sixty dpyS