Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-04-02
MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE.
Proceedings of the Extrn Session OF
the Thirty-NInth Assembly.


the Thirty-Ninth Assembly.
Lansing, Mich, March 2S.-Both houses
OF the Michigan legislature convened In
special session at noon yesterday, and after
the usual committees were appointed and
each house and the governor duly notified
of the organization, recess was taken un-
til 2;S0 p. M, when the governor read his
message, which occupied nearly two hours.
Subsequently the Pingree bill was intro
duced in the house by Col. Atkinson, of De-
trot. who prepared 1t, and by Senator
Moore in the senate. The leading points In
the governors message were that the
trainers of the state constitution intended
that all taxes be based on the cash value of
the property; that the taxes should be
levied upon public franchises as well as
other property; that the present system of
specific taxes upon railway earnings Is un-
satisfactory and wrong: that the tax upon
Michigan railroads has beenl less than quar-
ter of one per cent. upon their own sworn
valuations. and less than one-eleventh of
the percentage paid by other taxpayers
The governor recomm ended authorization
of appointment of a state board to make
equitable valuations of the property Of
such corporations of their cash values and
to assess them at the average rate of all
the taxes.
Lansing, Mich, March Ex-senator Pres
ton announced in the senate yesterday that
he had resigned as deputy of the port
of Port Huron and resumed his seat In the
senate. Senator Covell, who Is United
States district attorney and fierce anti
Pingree man, Is being labored with in the
hope that he win follow Preston's example.
Gov. Pingree had called special elections
In the districts represented by these sem
Rtors.
Senate.
Lansing, Mich, March 4.-In the senate
yesterday Senator Laurence introduced
ht IL ~, 90 nVN
other message covering the general subject
of taxation so that all property could be
taxed equally. Senator Barnard moved to
refer the resolution, and a sharp passage
of words ensued, In which Mr.. Barnard's
motion was lost by a vote of II yeas to 1e
nays. The vote is considered a test of the
Pingree strength In the senate, and Is re-
garded as defeat for him.
Lansing, Mich. March Ex-senator Moore
introduced a resolution in the senate yes
terday discharging the committee upon the
contested seats of Senators Covel and
Preston and declaring their seats vacant,
The resolution was offered at the sugges-
tion of the governor, who was present, and
Senator Thompson attacked the governor
declaring that he had disgraced himself
by appearing on the floor of the senate for
log-rolling and lobbying purposes. The res
olution was defeated and the investigating
committee will resume work. A bill was
introduced to increase the specific tax from
2R to 3I5 per cent. on railroad earnings OF
$1,000 per mile: Sk to Az per cent. between
1000 and $4,000: to per cent. between H.-
600 and S6,OO0 AZ to per cent between S6,00
and s.. 600. and from to 10 per cent. on earn
ings in excess of 1000. Resolutions were
adopted expressing sympathy with the Gu
bans in their struggle for independence and
pledginE the support of the people of Mich
igan to President Mckinley in whatever ac'
ton he may take for the relief of the suf.
fering island.
House.
Lansing, Mich, March 24.-In the house
yesterday Mr. Adams precipitated debate
by attempting to introduce bill on gen.
eral taxation. He was declared out oil
order Afterward he introduced a resolu.
ton asking the governor to send special
message to the Legislature on the subject
of eQualizing assessments on all classes
of property Several members spoke fof
and against the resolution, but II was final
Y defeated by a decisive vote. The Pin
gree men count this result decided VIC
tory A petition containing $3.50 signature'
of citizens who favor the passage OF the
Pingree railroad tax bill was presented
Lansing, Mich, March 25.-In the houst
yesterday the contest ragged nearly all day
over an effort of Mr. Adams TO force re-
considerat tion of his resolution, rejected
Wednesday, requesting the governor te
send a special message asking for the con-
sideration of the tax laws all along the
line Resolutions were adopted denounc
ing in the strongest terms the acts OF
Spain in her relations with CuIn, deplorine
the present situation of affairs in the island
and declaring that the time has come
when this nation should raise its strong
arm in the name OF justice and humanity
patriotism and liberty. and give to the pa
trots of Cuba their blood-bought freedom
from the yoke of Spanish treachery and
tyranny. To that end we pledge the ad.
ministration of President Mckinley our en-
thusastic support"
Lansing, Mich, March 26.-No business
was transacted in the house yesterday.