The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-05-15

The Thfrty-Ninth General Assembly
Convenes at Lansing.


The Thfrfy-Nfnth General Assembly
Convenes AT Lansing.
Lansing, Mich. May 7.--Gov. Pingree sent
TO the senate yesterday a special message
or great length ealing attention 10 the
sact tnat none OF the recommendations
contained In his inaugural address relative
10 the taxation OF railroads has been acted
upon. and urging that tho present spe-
cinc tax system be abolished and the com
panies be made TO pay taxes locally. Not
outstanding the recommendation, the
Merriman bill raising the specific tax rate
SO as 10 Increase the aggregate or taxes
paid by railroads about $4,000 annually
was passed unanimously. Other bills have
been passed for the organization OF the
township OF Bcurret. Gladwin county; APP
propriating $4,000 for the Central Michigan
normal school: authorizing building and
loan associations TO issue prepaid and divi-
dend. bearing stock: providing life lmpris-
onment or imprisonment for a term OF
years not less than five for wrecking or
robbery OF railroad trains; for the print
ing OF the report OF the board OF worlds
fair commissioners for Michigan; appro-
priating y64.767 for the state public school.
Lansing. Mich. May l1.-Gov. Pingree
sent 10 the senate yesterday a veto OF tho
anti-cigarette bill. which makes boys under
IL years OF age liable 10 Imprisonment for
smoking cigarettes. The governor says II
is a parental. not a state. duty TO correct
bad habits in children.
Lansing. Mich. May 1.-THE bill making
license fees for hawkers and peddlers I'm
country districts ten dollars year was
brought up In the senate yesterday and
tabled. Bills have been passed appropri-
ating sl46,30 for the school for the deaf:
allowing people TO vote at school elections
who own property which is assessed for
the confinement TO an asylum for the in
sane OF inmates OF industrial school for
girls who become insane; authorizing or
ganized townships TO issue bonds for the
payment OF claims; for the commitment
OF INDECENT insane persons 10 the Wayne
county insane asylum.
Lansing, Mich, May 13.-In the senate
Yesterday the committee on state affairs
favorably reported the Warner bill increas-
ing the tax paid by express companies to
three per cent. on their gross earnings in
Michigan. The present rate is one per cent.
The bill abolishing days OF grace was
passed
The House.
Lansing. Mich, May 7.-Gov. Pingree
sent a special message 10 the house yester-
day urging the members TO pass the bill
providing for the local taxation OF railroad
property. Bills have been passed authoriz-
ing organized townships 10 issue bonds for
the payment OF claims against such town
ship increasing power OF dairy and food
commissioners Immediate effecD: prescrib-
ing an agricultural college course for dis
trict schools: defining limits OF judicial cir
cults; for sending 10 asylums insane in
mates OF Industrial home for girls: amend
ing election law; providing for use OF pris-
on-made goods by state institutions
Lansing. Mich. May SIN the house yes
terday the Bell Telephone company lost
the first skirmish over the Billings bill.
which cuts the average rates squarely in
two. The measure was introduced at the
instgation OF the Independent companies.
and fixes maximum rate OF $40 for busi-
g. 81. \ A..
cities OF 10000 and upwards. $50 and ;2i
respectively In cities OF between $4,000 and
10000 and $50 and 500 respectively In cities
less than 10000. An additional allowance OF
two dollars per quarter Is provided for
services outside Of a mile radius from the
telephone station. 1t was the intention OF
the committee TO pigeonhole this BILL but
its introducer succeeded In having the
house order II reported out and placed on
the general order forthwith.
Lansing. Mich. May ll.-Gov. Pingree's
threat TO keep the legislature hero all sum-
railroad bills has not had the effect evil
IDENTIFY desired by the governor when he
made Il. Most OF the members OF the house
say they Will not be coerced into voting for
any bill by the governor or any other pow
er. and the general impression is that the
threat has weakened rather than strength
ened the bills.
Lansing, Mich, May 12-The proceed
ings In the house yesterday were almost
entirely the consideration OF railroad leg
islation in committee Of tie whole. The
following bills were agreed 10 by the COM
mittee on narrow margin Prov iding for
the local taxation of railroad property and
the abandoning OF the specific tax system;
the uniform two-cent fare bill; providing
for better ingress and egress at railroad
stations; repeating the special charter OF
the Michigan Central railroad and bringing
Il under the general law; requiring the an
nual meeting OF railroad companies for
choice OF directors 10 be held at rs prnci-
pal office The senate bill providing for
the election OF railroad commissioners by
the people instead OF being appointed by the
governor had all after the enacting clause
stricken out. Bills have been passed an
propriating $1,000 for repairs at Jackson
prison: 400 for improvements at Kala-
mazoo asylum; $1,000 10 build physicians
house at Kalamazoo asylum. and q 500 for
the Michigan Pioneer and Historical So
cety permitting Insurance Of property
against theft for the preference OF old
soldiers I'm public employment; appropriate
ing So 700 for improvements at Marquette
prison; appropriating $6i.7C7 for state pub
lie school; permitting an adopted child to
be an heir without change OF name TO that
OF foster parents.
Lansing, Mich. May IA bill passed
the house yesterday which raises .he spe-
cific taxes on railroad earnings In Michigan
from 100000 10 fully twice that amount
The rates are as follows: Roads earnings
less than 1000 per mile, PA per cent from
s., 600 TO $1,000. four per cent. from $4,000 to
$1,000, six per cent. over $1,000. ten per
cent A bin was also passed which repeats
the special charter Of the Micf gan Central
Railroad company thus depriving Ii OF
many privileges IL now enjoys. Mr.. Atkin-
sons bill requiring uniform passenger fares
OF two cents per mile upon all railways In
the state failed Of passage, the vote being
% TO 40.