The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-05-12
Especial Correspondence

augural address relative to the tax
alton Of railroads had been acted upon.
Gov Pingree went into the subject of
railroad taxation al great length main
tanning that the companies operating
in Michigan are not paying their just
share of taxes, and urging that laws
be enacted providing for the taxation
of railroad property the same rs
other property, doing away with the
existing specific tax system. He cited
the fact that Michigan's revenue from
this source is but $750,00C annually,
whereas Indiana receives more than
$2,225 900, Notwithstanding the fact
that its mileage is 1886 miles less than
that of Michigan. The message was re-
ferred.
Notwithstanding the recommends
ton, the senate promptly and without
dissenting vote passed the Merriman BILL
raising the specific tax rate so as to in
crease the aggregate of taxes paid by
railroads about 100000 annually.
There are indications CT a serious clash
between the house and senate over the
bill. The raise made by the senate is an
average of a trfle less than one per cent.
This does not satisfy large number of
influential members of the lower house,
who demand that the increase he
doubled, so as to yield the state $780, 900
per year more than it is now receiving
from this source. and the house will
probably make the raise.
Gov. Pingree has created a sensation
by his declaration that he will not allow
the legislature TO adjourn until some
laws to tax railroads and other COR
porate property at higher rates are
passed. He threatens TO call the legis-
lators together in special session as
often as they shall adjourn without
passing the laws which he favors. He
says he is not particular what kind Of
taxation is imposed on railroads as
long as they do their share. He would
be willing to let the Merriam bill 60
for raising taxes for the whole state if
the localities through which all roads
run would be able to tax the rail
roads on the real estate which they
own there
Chairman Baker, of the silver demo-
cratic state committee. sent to the legis-
lature a communication in which he de-
nounced the present election law as
law to encourage fraud and deception
at the polls" and claimed that the in
crease in the gold democratic vote this
spring was due to errors in voting. He
demanded a radical change in the law,
and threatened, if this were not made,
to contest the election Of all republican
congressman chosen at the next election
on the ground that the existing law
prevents free expression of the pop
Ular will.
The senate has voted TO quit work
May 81, and that the legislature shall
adjourn sine die May 81. On motion Of
Senator Wagar the final adjournment
resolution passed by the house was
taken from the table in the senate and
amended so as to provide for a knock
ing off of all work upon the eth, instead
of at noon upon the Goth. and leaving
the final adjournment date unchanged
as May 81. AS amended, the resolution
was then unanimously adopted, and
now goes to the house for concurrence
in this amendment, which will cut off
two working days. The house will not
regard the senate amendment as time
ly one. as it makes the session two
days shorter for passing bills. There
are now over GO bills upon the house
general order.
Three important life insurance bills
were put to death through the agency
of adverse committee reports in the
senate. One required every company
doing business in Michigan TO have a
resident director. Another required
that at least 40 per cent. of the gross
premiums collected in Michigan be in
vested IN this state, and the third re-
quired that two per cent. OF the guar
antee fund be deposited with the treas
uTer Of this state as guarantee for pol
icyholders.
There was an interesting fight in
the house between the Bell and indie
pendent Telephone companies. The
latter had bill providing for a max
imum rental of telephones which prac-
tically cut the prevailing Bell rate in
half. Representative Billings, the au-
thor of the bill. offered resolution taxi
ing il from the committee, where it was
opposed by n majority, and placing it
on the general order. There was
sharp conflict, but the Independent peo-
pie were victorious, and the bill was
taken from the committee by q vote of
81 to 30. It fixes the maximum rate
in cities of 100000 population or up
ward at S45 for the business phones,
and $50 for residence phones; less than
10000 and exceeding $4,000, $50 and
S24; and in cities below $4,000, $50 and
$40. with an additional allowance of
two dollars per quarter for service out
side a one-mile radius from telephone
headquarters.
The liquor committee has reported a
bill TO give saloonists the right to sell
liquor on New Years. Fourth Of July
and Labor day. Chairman Moore and l.
ID. Dickinson. of the committee, threat
en- to make minority report.
substitute for the holster convict
labor bill, which was defeated in the
house, has been offered by holster. and
an attempt will be made TO get il
through. 1t provides that prisoners
"a, n