New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-08
GOV. PINGREE'S MESSAGE.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEW EXEC
UT1vE OF MICHIGAN.
ADVOCATES REFORMS FROM PRIMARY ELECTIONS
TO THE ROCKEFELLER MINERAL AND

ADVOCATES REFORMS. FROM PRIMARY ELEcIio>'
TO THE ROCKEFELLER MINERAL AND
TRANSPORTATION INTERESTS
Lansing Mich Jan. THE first annual message
Of Governor Pngree was presented to the Legs
lature to-day. The Governor suggests that the re-
forms which he proposes 10 exploit shouiu "es'
with reform Of primary elections. He pehe'es '"a'
conventions of political parties should ne apo".'
and suggests a system whereby direct vote Oh ''o
ballot holder for party candidates should DC p'
mtted.
On the subject Of taxation he opposes the poTcy
OF the specific taxation OF corporations. ana recon-
mends that steps be- taken. IN the form OF 'oc"' "
general taxation. to make corporations "e"' 49,
proper share of taxes The Governor argues thai
the Legislature. having a constitutional r's"t ~ 10
charges for transportation OF passengers anu ''es"'
should exercise that power by reducing pdsse"se'
rates TO two cents a mile In Michigan ne i''o' 'e
adoption Of the system OF the referendum 10 '''e
granting Of public franchises. as checK upon e' B.
rupt local officials. .,.
p.,.rrng ~ tho subject OF trusts and corporations
tho Governor makes number of RECOMMENDATIONS
He denounces the growth OF the system OF o"''"
ton He does not suggest any form OF Jaw '''
fines his suggestions 70 statements OF 'ac's' 'a'-
directed at the Rockefeller combination Oh III ''''
land ownership and control OF shipping interests Vi
tho Great Lakes He urges State conirol OF coipo''e
stock and bond issues by insisting that all ISSUES
shall, represent capital actually paid In, ana 'ha'
system whereby only percentag" Oh H -,
capital is paid and upon this payment great ''''
obtained should he stopped by legislation
Mr. Plngrce shows that railroads IN M'ch'sa"
arc taxed less than in any other state eNcep' III
diana He holds that the present system OF rairodu
taxation in Michigan as also the system applyhs, 10
teenhones telegraph and express companies, ~ L IN
enuitate and ne recommends that steps pe 's nh
m add "a the system OF specific taXatlon py sui
iep,sIation as will give State Board OF idNeS ar.
Assessments power over corporations aGa'h>' ""o'"
taxes are to be assessed , - r,o-,capea
The Covernor opposes the taxation OF nc, ,shS's'
ond s,,gc, ats changes in the tax title law. re su.
costs a general enabling act by whlcn Al, pIoPeiitf
heretofore sold for may he redeeneu .! OLD
nal owners within FIVE years OF ito passase. uioi.
navment of the original tax costs ana per cent
interest. -, ...,... ,ha covernor
devnfes considerable attention to street railway iran
ch;ees His resume Of mis- suggestions IL 'ndt III ~,
eivjnr such franchises. II they may nor ne acua'iy
nmunicna.ized reservations should be maze IN
the grants which will prohibi; morgaglns %, ~. ne
frnnchiso viii; reserve the legislative anthorlE te
right 70 fix tolls will require the actual COST OF cv
struction 10 he known 20 the municipality pIoI.''
consolidation with opposing companies ana me OWL
ership Of stock by Individual stockholiers 81 on
company in any other He also would nave !, pro. .
,ded that no mortgage snail he executed upon any
street railway company's property for gird.eT
amount than one-half the actual cost OF the prop