Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-05-04

existing special railr0nd charters, espe-
cially that Of the Michigan Central. The
substitute creates commission to nego-
tiate with the companies for the surrender
Of their charters and to report not later
than November next, the report to be sub
mitted by the Governor to a special session
of the Legislature or to the next regular
session. A fight will be made for the re-
peal of the Michigan Central charter, and
all the separate bills and the substitute
were made the special order for Wednes-
day.
On Wednesday the Supreme Court
handed down an opinion In the two cases
brought against the Auditor General for
the purpose of determining the constitu-
tionality Of the Atkinson law enacted by
the present Legislature, which creates a
State board to assess the property OF rail-
road Telephone and telegraph companies.
The law provides that the rate shall be the
average rate Of all taxes throughout the
State for the previous year, and treats the
tax as specific. The opinion of the court,
which is unanimous, declares the law to be
unconstitutional. The tax Is held to be
not specific, but ad valorem, and as such
cannot be sustained because 1t violates the
constitutional provision that the Legisla-
ture shall provide uniform rule Of taxa
ton, except on property paying SPECIFIC
taxes.
The Dudley bill, directing the Secretary
Of State, Treasurer and Railroad Commits
sioner to negotiate with the Michigan Cen
trail and Lake Shore and Michigan South
ern Railway companies for the surrender
of their special charters, was passed by
the House on Thursday by vote Of 53 to
80. 1t is favored by a majority of the
Senate. Speaker Adams addressed the
House on the necessity for enacting law
under which all property Gill be assessed
on an equal basis. He advocated the APP
p0ntment of a joint committee to ascer-
tain the market value of all railroad prop
erty in the State, the market and assessed
value of all other taxable property, real
and personal, and the total amount of
taxes it pays. He advised that after COM
pleting the work now in hand the Legisla-
ture take a recess until the first Wednes-
day in January next, at which time it
shall receive the report Of the joint COM
mittee and proceed to enact the necessary
legislation.
The following bills, among others, have
been passed by the Senate:
Senator Humphrey-Reducing the
amount of fines imposed for violating the
pure food laws of Michigan.
Senator Alward-Relative to printing
and distribution of state documents.
Mr.. Gray-Authorizing city of Luding-
ton to borrow $150,00O.
Senator ngwood-Providipg for the
employment of women physicians in GER
tain State institutions.
Senator Wagar-Anti-oleo bill, but ex-
empting the upper peninsula.
Mr.. Kerr-Relief Of John Mcdonald,
wrongly convicted of murder. State au-
ditors to investigate and pay sum not to
exceed $1,000
Mr.. Anderson-ReIief of George w.
Crump.
Mr.. Scully-Providing for the levy and
sale of execution and sale upon execu.
tons for failure to pay taxes on abstracts.
Senator Brownie provide for the in
corporation of employment insurance bu-
reaus.
Senator Sayre-Providing that hereafter
bridges built across Flint river, in village
of Flushing, shall be built and maintained
by said village. and exempting the village
of Flushing from highway taxes in the
township Of Flushing.
Senator Potter-Vacating Budd Lake
addition to Harrison. Immediate effect.
Senator Giddings-Prohibiting catching
Of fish in Pine river. Gratiot, Midland and
Montcalm counties, except with hook and
line. Immediate effect.
Senator Lyon-Providing for super
visor of building and loan associations
with power to appoint assistant.
Mr.. h.mberlain-Establi State
Normal School at Marquette.
Senator Brown-Prohibiting the adul-
iteration Of linseed oil.
Senator misunderstanding BARRIERS.
Mr.. misunderstanding collision be-
tween bidders for highway improvements.
Senator Chas. Smith--Raising tax for
the University of Michigan from 1-16 to
Il Of mill on each dollar of taxable prop
erty.
Permitting Ludington to raise $4,000
for water works.
To admit soldiers of the Spanish war to
the Soldiers Home.
Authorizing the reassessment of back
taxes in the county of Saginaw. The bill
was given immediate effect.
To change the boundaries of fractional
school district No. of ST. Clair County.
Raising the salary of Wayne County
coroners from 81 200 to $1,000.
Relative to beet sugar bounties. The
bill was given immediate effect.
To protect the degrees and professional
title of veterinary surgeons and to estab-
lish State veterinary board.
Senator Davis-To reduce the legal rate
of interest from 6 to 5 per cent.
Mr.. Wells-To appropriate money for
publishing maps and reports of the State
geological survey. The bill was given i'm
mediate effect.
Senator Brownie appropriate money
for the agricultural college.
Among bills passed by the House are
the following:
Mr.. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES agricultural ex-
pertinent station in the upper peninsula.
Senator misunderstanding act Gre
ating banking department.
Senator Sayre-Making any qualified
elector in school districts eligible for office.
Senator Misunderstanding dover in
lands.
Senator Heald-Authorizing school dis
tricts to borrow money for school pur-
poses.
Mr.. Graham-Protectio OF vineyards.
Mr.. Notwithstanding practice in
| justice courts.
Mr.. Gillette-Amendng act regulating
steam engines.
Mr.. Shisler-Fixing the age Of children,