The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-26

admission on file, Ii would seem that
the legislators will not be doing their
duty to the state IL they fail TO make
the necessary appropriation.
The so-called Lusk resolution provid-
ing for the submission to the people or
a constitutional amendment comforting
home rule upon cities was defeated In
the house a few days ago, but another
attempt to pass ii will be made. This
is one of the most important bits OF leg
islation that will be considered this ses-
sion. 1t was in fact, conceived and put
In form by Speaker Gordon who gave
1t to Representative Lusk to introduce.
In substance it confers upon cities the
power, by popular vote, to amend their
own charters rather than to come to the
legislature to have this work done. III
was urged in favor of the resolution
that the plan proposed placed in the
hands of the people the power to legis-
late as to matters concerning them
selves, and Furthermore, that its adop-
ton would shorten the biennial sessions
of the legislature to sixty days, where
as the minimum has been five months
for a number Of years past. 1t is fact
that fully one-half of the time of the
Legislature is taken up with the tinker
ing of charters. On the other hand the
undesirability of breaking away from
the established order OF things was
urged against the measure. Inasmuch
as II takes a two-thirdS vote to submit
a constitutional amendment, it is not
likely that the resolution will pass this
session. The vote was AZ for to SO
against, fourteen members being either
absent or not voting. 1t Is not deemed
probable that twenty more votes can
be secured by the friends of the project.
However, the vote by which it failed to
pass was reconsidered and the resolu-
ton tabled with view to making an
other effort to pass it.
Mortgage Tax Repeal Bill.
The prospects of passing the mortgage
tax repeal bill through the house, which
were generally conceded to be very
bright one week ago, have grown de-
cidedly simmer during the past few
days. The returns from the country
districts had not been received before
the senate passed the bill. Their tenor
led to a change in sentiment and this
was so marked that Republican eau
Gus decided that the bill should not be
considered until after the spring cleo
ton, at least The bill has been re-
ferred to the committee on general tax
alton which will coddle 1t for several
weeks.
The insurance committee of the house
will give hearing on all pending in
surance bills on April z. Some Of the
bills propose very radical changes in
existing laws. The revenue of the state
from these companies now amounts to
about $4,000 annually, but 1t is pro-
posed to increase the rate of taxation
l per cent. on the gross earnings in
Michigan. This would make the rate
for fire companies per cent, and that
of life companies 3 per cent. In oppo-
sition to this increase the argument is
made that the assured would, in fact,
be compelled to pay the increase, the
rate for insurance being based upon
the expense of doing business in the
state. Other bills provide for a local
tax of 2 per cent. for the maintenance
of fire departments, and provides that,
in case of total loss, the full face value
of the policy must be paid regardless
Of what the property destroyed may
actually have been worth.
Soldiers Home Investigation.
Another matter which will not be
taken up until after the spring election
is the investigation Of the management,
discipline, ETC., Of the soldiers home,
which was authorized by the senate,
and which will be made by the regular
senate committee of that body. Chair
man Jibb promises that the investiga-
ton shall be thorough the purpose be-
ing to either establish the charges or
restore confidence in the institution.
Members of the board Of managers have
heretofore resigned to accept official
positions at the home. A bill now pend
ing prohibits any member from becom-
ing an official until two years after the
expiration of his term as manager. The
impression prevails that there will be
some changes as the result of the in
vestigation.
The Widoe railroad investigation COM
mittee has about consumed the thirty
days allotted to 1t for its work, and
so far as others than members of the
committee know, not a great deal of
progress has been made, it being under
stood that complaints Of discrimination
in freight rates, ETC., have not come
in as extensively as was anticipated.
No witnesses have yet been examined
by the committee as contemplated, and
the committee has asked for an extern
SlOH OL tliiie ultll April III WHICH u
complete its work. There appears to
have been much more smoke than fire
about this affair.
Beet Sugar Bounty Law.
Although Governor Pingree recon-
mended the enactment of beet sugar
bounty law in his inaugural message,
1t is not improbable that he will either
veto or send back for re-enactment the
Dudley bill providing a bounty of 1
cent per pound, which has passed both
houses and is now in his hands. What
makes this probable is the fact that he
has been advised by Representative
John Atkinson, in whose legal ability
he has the utmost confidence. that the
offering of a bounty is an appropria-
ton Of public money for private pur-
poses, and consequently the bill should
have, under the constitution, received
a two-thirds vote in each house. In
fact, however, it received a majority
vote only. Movements are on foot to
organize heavily capitalized corpora
tions at Saginaw and Port Huron for
the purpose of erecting beet sugar re-
fineries. 1t is stated that the sugar