The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-01-14

most earnestly recommend that this
legislature inaugurate a policy looking to
the ultimate purchase by the state OF all
the railroads within its limits. Laws equal
izing taxation and regulating rates OF fare
only reach the symptoms. They do not
reach the root OF the disease. which Is
private ownership OF public franchises.
The only way to permanently cure such
evils is TO eradicate the cause by the state
assuming the ownership and control OF all
franchises OF a public nature.
Fish Propagation.
This is one Of the subjects to which 1
desire to call special attention and which I
invite every member OF the legislature to
investigate for himself. The fishing inter-
csts OF Michigan are Of proportions little
realized by the people as a whole, but even
limited research will show how important
they have become. Legislation is needed
in several directions. At present there ex-
list abuses which work great In
jury to large numbers OF people directly
interested. and which are indirectly an in
Jury TO every citizen of the state.
The fishing interests may be divided into
two classes, the commercial fishing OF the
Great Lakes and the less extensive fishing
OF the inland lakes and streams. Each
class demands attention at your hands.
recommend the abolition OF the closed
season entirely and the substitution of
provisions by which fishing to the fullest
extent during the fall season be encour-
aged, with the added provision that ar
engagements be made whereby agents of
the state and United States fish commits
sions shall accompany the fishing tugs in
order to take the ova from spawning fish,
so that they may be preserved and pr0pa-
gated, In This manner believe the sup
ply of fish In the great lakes will not only
he rapidly and greatly increased. but the
general public will be greatly benefited by
the reduction OF prices. Agents OF the fish
commission have always been welcomed
on the fishing tugs and can easily have
access TO all catches OF fish.
l also recommend the enactment Of q
provision prohibiting the taking of spawn
from Michigan waters by agents of other
states, except as arranged for with the fish
commission of this state.
I also recommend that sufficient appro-
priation be made for increasing the out
with the increasing demands.
Criminal Law.
In the main the laws of this state have
been passed with the object in view of ac-
cording to all-the lowliest as well as the
highest. the weakest as well as the strong
est, the poorest as we'll as the richest
equal rights and privileges. and subjecting
each TO the same punishment under like
circumstances and conditions.
While IL is the theory of the law that all
men stand equally before it, yet there has
been made no provision by means OF which
justice can be done man who has been
convicted of a crime and is afterwards
shown TO be innocent, or those who are
sometimes wrongfully tried for an Offences
against the state aud their innocence es-
tabiished.
l would recommend the enactment of
laws giving those charged with crime, and
whose innocence has been established, the
same costs against the respective counties
In which they were prosecuted as are
given TO the successful party in a civil
suit
l would also recommend that some pro-
vision be made for compensating those
VINO shall be sentenced 10 term OF inn
prisonment and whose innocence shall aft
erward be shown. If they are wrongfully
deprived of their liberty by the state. II
Is hut right the state should compensate
them for the time forcibly taken from
them. Such claims might perhaps be heard
and allowed by the board OF state auditors.
circait judges. or a commission created for
the purpose.
Eight-Hour Law.
The two years which have passed since
my first message to the legislature have
aot altered In the slightest degree my firm
that eight hours a day Is enough
TO require a man to work for his living.
In the business establishment in which
am interested the employees work but nine
hours a day. this custom having prevailed
for seven years 1t would not be to cur ad-
vantage to return to ten-hour day, and
We would not do so. The limiting Of the
days labor to eight hours will be well
ecmed by us when other business establish
ments are compelled by law to give work.
two additional hours OF freedom
from toll. The inestimable benefits of our
public school and of our free educational
Institutions OF all kinds have made OF our
oil Ea
men. and 1t Is dong only simple justice to
liberate them from the factories and work.
shops these two additional hours, In order
that they and their families may enjoy
some OF the advantages and real pleasures
Of life. 1t Is your especial privilege and
duty to bring the so-called merchant
princes" and captains Cf industry" in this
to q realization of the fact that
our laboring men are something more than
tools to be used In the scnseless chase after
wealth. The shortening OF the hours of
labor will also make II necessary to give
work to the large number of unemployed
Primary Election.
Under our constitution and laws It is both
the duty and privilege of every citizen to
vote and to participate in the election OF
honest and capable men to fill the various
offices within the gift of the people. and
any legislation which will encourage or
aid them in the performance of that duty
y.
Tho present system of nominating by con-
ventions Is wrong In both theory AID pra =
tico for many reasons l therefore recon-
mend that a law be passed providing that
all candidates for each office. from governor
down to township and ward officers, be
by direct vote Of the electors
also recommend that provision be made
for the nomination ut such primary by
direct vote Of the electors of the state of
a candidate of each party for United States
BY so doing while under the con-
he cannot be elected by n direct
vote. still the legislature would hardly dare
to disregard the wishes of their constitu-
crts. so plainly and fairly expressed, ana
in that matter 1t might be possible Cor the
common people to get some representation
in the upper house of congress.
z A Pcrnicious Custom.
One OF the most pernicious customs In
vogue in this state Is the practice of hav-
ing "hold-over" members OF state boards
and commissions. In this way mismanage-
ment Is covered up, and there is no way of
abuses which VIGOROUSLY exist
in some of our state institutions.
The governor Is and should be held re-
sponsible for the management and control
OF all appointive boards. Consequently
the term Of all such appointees should be
coextensive with the official term of the
governor The knowledge that an entire
new board would have possession of all
the books and proceedings at the expira-
tlon of a certain fixed time would tend to