The Yale expositor., 1897-01-15
STATE LEGISLATURE.
Michigan Lawmakers Begin Their BIZ
enniel Labors.

Michigan Lawmakers Begin Their Bi-
enniel Labors.
The opening session of the Michigan
legislature was not marked by any
special events, but the regular work
was entered upon promptly. In the
Senate Lieut.. Gov Dustan called for
order and Rev. Mr.. Osborne offered
prayer. Secretary Award then read
the list of members as certified to him
by Secretary of State Gardner, and the
senators were sworn in in blocks OF
six. President Dustan followed with
an address. John l.. Preston was
sworn in as president pro tenn and the
same form was followed with the other
officers Senator Thompson offered a
resolution, which was adopted, extend
ing TO the Lansing pastors an invita-
ton to open the daily sessions with
prayer. Secretary ID. L. Award and
Sergeant Slosson, of the Senate of '95,
were voted SIS and $50 respectively for
their services and expenses in opening
the Senate. A few preliminary resolu-
tions, providing for messenger boys,
etc, were passed and then Senators
Covell, Moore and Mason were APP
pointed to inform Gov Pingree that
the upper house was ready to proceed
with business. Senators Barnum,
Thompson and Prescott were delegated
to tell the house of representatives. the
same thing. The Senate concurred in
the house selection of +. A. Stimson as
Legislative postmaster and named
Henry Spaulding as assistant postmas-
ter and then adjourned.
The program of the House was some
what similar and aside from a strong
opening address by speaker Gordon, OF
| Midland, who was elected on the first
ballot, was unusually dull and uninter-
esting. Every member of the House
was present except A. j. Neidermeier,
| of Monroe, who is i'll. One contest of
a seat was noted that of James Kerr, a
| silverite of Saginaw, by John Baird,
| Republican. O. Il. Fuller, of Delta,
was elected speaker pro tenn. Lewis
! NJ. Miller was unanimously made clerk
of the House, and Il. n. Gibson was
elected sergeant-at-arms, while +. w.
Redfern, of Clinton, was chosen for
enrolling and engrossing clerk.
The reading of the messages of eX-
| Gov. Rich and Gov. Pingree occupied
the larger portion of the second days
session. The red-tape ceremonies of
assembling the two houses, the justices
of the supreme court and the state
officers in the hall of the House of
Representatives being completed ex-
Gov. Rich began the reading of his
long message which was greeted with
a ripple of applause at its close. Gov.
Pingree then took his innings, made q
little speech to the crowd and then
turned his message over TO Clerk
Miller TO read. He was interrupted
with applause at several points, par
ticularly where the governor spoke Of
maintaining Michigans great educa
tional institution-the University; hi:
lab at lobbyists, and the plea for Q
short session. At the close of the for
malities the senators and others eX
cepting the representatives withdrew
from the House. The House passed
Rep. Sawyer's resolution for commit
tee of 10 members to propose legisla
ton and prepare bills to simplify com
pick statutes 1t is criticised by som'
who think it gives too much power T.
one committee. Rep. Davis, of Mont
calm, fought the resolution for Hous'
stenographer at SO a day as useles
expense. Rep, Edgar, of Lenawee
had resolution adopted fixing it s.
the sergeant-at arms and other Hous
assistants may be discharged by ma
iority vote. Rep. Edgar will introduc
a bill to carry out Gov. Pingree's anti
trust recommendations 1t will pro
l vide for the prevention of conspiracie
and combinations or trusts by individ
uals or corporations, either for tn
regulation of prices or the output c
any commodity, and will provid
: heavy penalties, half of the fines to &
: to the state and half to the county i
, which prosecution is brought. 1T wi
o hit the sugar, rubber, nail and o
n trusts through the wholesalers o
o through the trusts agents. Rep. Lush
/ of Bay. will introduce bill providin
: that no local municipal acts should b
considered by the legislature withor
y they have first been favorably vote
S upon by majority of the council
IS the city from which they emanate.